CT Scan with AF

[Stinky1953]

Good morning everyone.

Has anyone here been for a a CT Scan whilst in AF? I have a scan next week and I've been in persistent AF for the last 3 weeks. The reason I ask is because for some people the Iodine dye causes palpitations and elevated HR.

Tim

[wilsond]

I had one with no problems . I always mention my AF to any medic,whatever they are doing,as a precaution . ( Including dentists!)

Best wishes x

[Buffafly in reply to wilsond]

Even chiropodists take a health history!

[Stinky1953 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you. Were you in AF at the time?

[Buffafly]

The only problem I had was that I had a CT colonoscopy at short notice and I was supposed to have Buscopan to sedate my bowels but they said they couldn’t give it if you had any kind of heart problem at all, even though I wasn’t in AF at the time. I would check with department beforehand I think.

[bantam12 in reply to Buffafly]

I was given IV buscopan for an MRI and my AF went into overdrive, it was very scary !! the staff obviously weren't aware of the risks 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Stinky1953 in reply to bantam12]

I won't be having Buscopan - just the iodine dye. But thank you.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Buffafly]

I had a CT colonoscopy and they knew about my AF and would not give me the relaxant as said it would send my AF into overdrive

[Stinky1953 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. I will of course tell them but I don't want to miss the scan.

[Buffafly in reply to Stinky1953]

Best wishes, hope the scan is helpful.

[Stinky1953 in reply to Buffafly]

Scan is just a routine post chemo check up.

[heartmatters1]

Hi

My husband, who also has persistent AF, has had quite a few scans with the dye & no problems at all.

Allyson

[Stinky1953 in reply to heartmatters1]

Thank you Allyson.

[Gowers]

I have had quite a few scans while suffering af. the last one was on the upper intestines. I had to drink a lot of water while waiting & they gave it me in 2 big jugs straight from the water cooler - (in hindsight i should have asked for normal temp water) i went into af as i lay on the scanner & later on they inserted dye. I just put up with it knowing i had to get it done & the af would calm down when it was over. Do let us know how you get on

[Stinky1953 in reply to Gowers]

Thank you - good to know. I won't get the scan results till I see the oncologist on 1st September.

[Mrsvemb]

I have had a lot of CT scans, never whilst in AF, but last year when the contrast was given my heart started to race. It slowed down soon after but I went into AF later that day.

Because of this, the radiologist will not chance giving me the contrast again. I have to have the CT without contrast plus an ultrasound of liver because that doesn’t show without contrast.

Hope you get your scan done ok and that the result is good.

[Stinky1953 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thank you. Useful to know.

[Foxglo]

I had a CT angiogram, I was asked bout a drug, did I want it as it could give me head aches and I shouldn’t drive home just in case. Nobody had told me this so Zi asked if my Cardiologist would be happy with it, the Ct people didn’t Know so I didn’t have this extra drug which meant the picture wasn’t as clear as it should have been.

In future I will ask the Cardiologist prior to CT scan about the procedure and drugs

as well as taking a driver because a better picture would be good if possible.

[Stinky1953 in reply to Foxglo]

Thanks for this. Luckily I have a telephone consultation with my Cardiologist the day before the scan so will ask him.

[Reena09]

Do they use iodine for a chest ct scan?

[Stinky1953 in reply to Reena09]

I don't know. My scan is CT Thorax so the dye is, I think, for my liver mostly.

[District]

I'm in permanent AF and had a CT scan a couple of weeks ago. It didn’t cause me any problems, just a warm feeling when the dye was injected.

Bill

[Stinky1953 in reply to District]

Thanks Bill that's reassuring. I hope your scan results were all good.

Tim.

[Flossie72]

Yes. I went for my CT scan as part of my pre me assessment. As soon as the machine was switched on the radiographer commented that I had gone into fast AF. The dye made no difference at all, and the scan went ahead. About an hour afterwards I went back into NSR - the only time I have done so without medical help.

[Stinky1953 in reply to Flossie72]

Thanks - let's hope the scan returns me to NSR.

[john-boy-92]

I've had CT scans with and without contrast dye, a CT virtual colonoscopy, MRI scans normal and "hot". I have AF in hard aerobic exercise and brief atrial flutter most of the time, but it was not a problem during the scans.

[Stinky1953 in reply to john-boy-92]

Thank you.

[dcjack]

I’ve had two CT scans with dye and an angiogram and I have constant AF. No problems experienced at all and cardiologist not in the slightest concerned about the dye. Didn’t feel a thing. No worries 👍🏻

[Stinky1953 in reply to dcjack]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I have never had one while in A Fib.

There are some CT Scans done without contrast. I can't have contrast with any test as I have had allergic reactions previously that required some serious, intervention, especially on an abdominal CT scan that part of an oncology check up many, many years after cancer treatment.

I was released from all cancer care, and told my risk was no higher than the average person anymore and had no need to ever go back unless I had symptoms. I have now been 46 years out from one type of cancer and 38 years out from a different type.

I had one of those Heart Scans years ago (no contrast) and the cardiologist was amazed that I passed with flying colors and no calcified arteries.

My other 2 cardiologists, and my wife's doctor advise against getting a CT Scan unless it is meets the American College of Radiology criteria that it provide a medical benefit that can not be derived from any other test. Every dose of radiation you get is cumulative so you have count up all the CT Scans, X rays and dental xrays and mammograms for women.

My wife had one done in 2014 ordered by her orthopedic surgeon. Her doctor tried to lobby in favor of an MRI, but the orthopedic surgeon insisted it had to be a CT Scan. When the results came back, the radiologist suggested she have an MRI to get more definitive results. She was furious and quickly found a new orthopedic surgeon!

[C66t]

I had pulmonary CT with contrast prior to cardioversion I was in afib at the time no prob.tg. best wishes 😃🙏🙏💕

[Stinky1953 in reply to C66t]

Thank you.