surgery

[nemisis2]

I need a very small operation and wonder if anyone on here has had a general anaesthetic, I have had AF for seven years and am on warfarin. Thanks Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi Pauline,

Yes, I have.

I had a partial knee replacement ( back in November 2015) which was under GA and about 3 hours or so long, so fairly major stuff. No problems. I have been on Warfarin continuously since January 2010 too.

John

[nemisis2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that John, it helps a lot. Pauline

[Hidden in reply to nemisis2]

Just another thing I forgot to mention ....... I had to stop Warfarin 6 days before surgery to get my INR numbers down to 0 (zero). No problems. Went through surgery and when I came round I was given a double injection of a bridging anticoagulant ( Fragmin) into my tummy. Resumed Warfarin with my normal night time dose and ......... job done. No sweat. From the day I stopped Warfarin to when I got back to the lowest number of my INR range (2.0) was about 28 days. Go to Wo.

I also self test my INR at home whenever I like using a Coaguchek device so I was well in control of what was going on. I was only in hospital for 3 days for the knee replacement stunt.

John

[lovetogarden]

Hi, yes, I’ve had 2 surgeries while on eliquis, breast lump removal and ironically, a repair to my vocal cords that were damaged by the breathing tube during a pan ablation. Both under general anesthesia. If I recall correctly, I just had to stop the eliquis the morning of the surgery. Warfarin is a different regimen. But the GA for both of those was no problem. Best of luck w your procedure!

[pottypete1]

I gave had a number of operations under GA including 4 of my ablations.

They felt it necessary to have my Hernia operation at sthe same hospital where there is a cardiac unit.

There were no issues as far as I am aware.

Pete

[Jaws66]

I have permament afib, and four years ago needed a tumour removed. The operation was more complicated than planned, and took five hours. No problems to report.

Good luck !

[irene75359]

I had a procedure under general anaesthetic a few months ago, and was bridged with Fragmin afterwards, but my main worry was that I may go into AF whilst under. I spoke to the anaesthetist who was happy for me to take a dose of flecainide prior to the op, and in the event there were no problems. Best of luck.

[splashrollandplod]

Hi, I am 65, AFib for 2 years. I had an ablation on 4 Aug (7 weeks ago) under GA. I last had one 9 years ago -,reset dislocated shoulder. After the recent one I felt groggy for a day, 9 years ago I just felt happy (on a high). No idea if the difference was age or what was done whilst I was under.

[Thomas45]

My op to have my appendix removed did cause my heart rate to rise over 200bpm. I have permanent AF for which my only medication is Warfarin.I was kept under GA for 3 hours after the operation had finished. My heart rate was then 190bpm. I was put on a beta blocker and monitored for 2.5 days until my heart rate had dropped to 80 bpm, and was discharged.

7 weeks later I had the first side effect of the beta blocker, urticaria. I was slowly weaned off the beta blocker, during which time I had the second side effect, exacerbation of asthma leading to 2 nights in hospital.

I've been banned from taking beta blockers by my GPs.

So no lasting problems

I still take a daily antihistamine tablet. I've found that certain foods cause rashes so I no longer eat them uncooked.

I've since had two routine colonoscopies for which I chose not to have sedation or gas and air. They went well.

[TamlaMotown]

Hi Pauline, I had surgery in March with GA. Not on warfarin but on Apixaban.Had to stop Apixaban 48hrs before & start taking it again the day after surgery. They gave me an injection in my abdomen after the op.

No problem with my AF.

Hope all goes well for you

[nemisis2 in reply to TamlaMotown]

Thanks for that x

[Auriculaire]

I have had two major ops since my afib stwrted and am going in tomorrow for a third. After my bowel op I went into afib 3 days later but probably due to starving to death on the meagre rations you get after major bowel surgery! Was fine after my last hip op. I am a bit worried about having stopped Apixaban Sat night as no bridging jabs this time.

[Palpman]

If you are male, over 60 and undergoing abdominal surgery such as gallbladder removal then AFib is not a problem but you have the likelihood of not being able to pee for 24 hours. This is common and you would need a catheter and stay overnight.