I went into AFib a year ago during cataract surgery. In fact as soon as the drops were put in. I've never had a history of high blood pressure etc. I ended up in the hospital for three days. I was released with ectopics and put on Xarelto, metoprolol, and another heart med. They tried cardioversion but it only lasted a week. They switched me to flecanaide after the cardioversion. I don't remember the med they had me on before they switched me to flecanaide which converted me in 3 days. But boy did the 100mg twice a day kick my butt. Legs had weights it seemed. Tons of tests over the last year. No problems. I got them to reduce the flecainide down to 50mg twice a day and the metoprolol to 25 twice a day in September. Still no issues with afib. All ok. I have stopped the flecainide on dec 2nd. With zero issues. I'm finding the Xarelto burns my stomach a bit as well. After quitting flec now I feel great. Just like before I went in for the cataract surgery. I'm not overweight, 65, zero heart and or valve issues. No diabetes. Male. So my Chad score is low. I've read some studies about some of the meds used in cataract surgery and AFib. Anybody ever have anything like this? It's like it never happened. I need to go get my cataract surgery as I never made it that far.
CHAD score: I went into AFib a year ago... - Atrial Fibrillati...
CHAD score
I've had eye cataract surgery and with no reaction at all, in any way shape or form. I only have Bisoprolol and Warfarin for AF ( other meds too for BP and cholesterol). That said, I've only had one AF event since April 2015 which occurred in Feb 2018 sleeping on my left side.
John
I would find out the name of the eye drop used when you immediately went into AF as a way to investigate what happened. I did minimal research ( only one drop type). I will not give you the name of the drop because I am not an MD. But, this is what came up:
Rare side-effects: dry mouth, flushing, dry skin, constipation, difficulties passing urine, and a fast heartbeat
Fast heartbeat is listed there, although a rare one. A path worth investigating is if there is anything you are allergic to in the "drops."
When I had cataract surgery there was one type of drop they couldn't give because of probability of causing AF. It was an anti inflammatory. One eye was fine but the other needed to be on the rest of the drops for longer because of inflammation.
At my cataract assessment appt one particular eye drop they used caused me to go into Afib but it didn't last long, the surgeon wasn't happy to do the actual surgery with the risk of further problems but eventually they agreed and they used a different eye drop plus gave me Diazipam on the day and everything went smoothly, well Afib wise anyway, the surgery however has left me with sight problems I didn't have previously and I now need 3 pairs of glasses !!
Were they eye drops to dilate the pupil, put in before the procedure started - not had cataract surgery but when I had lazer surgery for glaucoma I had these drops and within a few minutes I had a severe headache and palpatations. I did not have AF at that time (not diagnosed ) but looking back now I believe that I did. It took several days for the headache to go and my heart to settle down. One of the nurses at the time did say that occasionally some patients did react in this way. It was put on my notes to avoid these drops in the future, they are often used in the clinic before you see a consultant for tests.
I cannot remember the name of the drops, so if you could find out you would be able to see what side effects they may have.
Regarding xarelto I am on this also and have no problems, I presume that you do take this with a main meal, that is very important.
Good luck with getting you cataract surgery done, my husband had this 6/7 years ago and was so pleased with the results. He went for a eye test a month ago, found he has no sight in his left eye and the right eye is borderline, apparently the lenses have clouded over. He now has to have laser surgery to clear the lenses. I thought having new lenses would last a lot longer but apparently it is not uncommon. The waiting time for treatment is not good maybe more than 6 months so we are looking into how much it would cost to have done privately, it is a very quick procedure, takes about 10 mins each eye. Although he was told he is still okay to drive, he says it is like looking through a cobweb with tadpoles swimming past, so at the moment he is not driving, so lets hope it is not too expensive and we can get it done quickly.
Cassie
They put two types of drops in. One to dialate and one to numb. I've had the drops to dialate in eye tests before. They ask are you alergic to shellfish. I never was. I see my electrophysiologist in a week and I need to discuss lots. I find it's hard to discuss things sometimes as the Dr may not know any information concerning this. I've found government studies that 5% of elderly experience tachycardia during the operation. I would imagine the eye center will know more on this. I know I don't want this happening again.
My cataraacts were removed when was in my sixties. Afib showed up when I was 83 - so no connection between thr two issues. I have taken Xarelto for saix years - no stomach issues. Seems harmless to me. Anything else I an help wih??
Hi Ohio--I couldnt do the drops in eyes because they have prednisone in them and made my heart beat funny--also no albuterol- It was put in a vaporizer at ER once and that was my first afib--so i never do steroids--This complicates things--I have constant afib--emphysema and chf--I need to use inhaler and im terrified of them--Im not saying steroids are your problem but its possble as they do effect heart rate--Glad you got afib under control--I give up on it ever going away--MmeT
Sometimes Cipro is the antibiotic used. Read the Federal Drug Administration, FDA, in the US, bulletins on Cipro.
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