Non cardic surgery.

[Svete]

Dear All,

Please can you tell me if I can have a non cardiac surgery if I have AF, or did many have surgeries and felt ok during or after it.

Many thanks

[Hidden]

Hiya Svete,

I'll be cautious with my answer here ................ if you are experiencing an AF event - that is you are actually in AF at the time of non cardiac surgery being undertaken then I don't think it would proceed. It won't be your decision but that of the Anesthetist and Surgeon.

If you just have a diagnosis of AF and it is well controlled then I don't see why not.

My own experience is over the years, with highly controlled AF, I have had a CT Scan, 2 x Cataract proceedures and knee replacement surgery ......... no sweat. I have also had a Cortisone injection into the right shoulder at which time my GP wanted me to get my Warfarin INR level reduced to 1.7. At no time in any of these procedures was I actually having an AF event. At no time after did I lurch into an AF event.

Which is the next thing, if you are on an anticoagulant that will make a difference. Can't speak for all these NOAC's as I don't use them, but, I am on Warfarin and never ever had a problem, even with the knee replacement which was the most challenging and lengthy surgery and I had to stop Warfarin altogether for 6 days prior to surgery to get my INR down to 0 (zero). In recovery after surgery I was given two injections (into my tummy) of Fragmin , a bridging anticoagulant, and back on Warfarin that evening as usual. No sweat.

Hope that helps your question.

John

[nikonBlue]

Hi there,

I've lost count of the surgeries I've had since my AF diagnosis. The only time there was an issue was when my nerves got the better of me as I was waiting in hospital for my first breast cancer surgery as I went into an AF episode and the anaesthetist said we couldn't go ahead. They did though and all was fine and like I say, I've had several surgeries since. So, as Carneuny said, the medics will make the decisions so please don't worry on that score. After all the surgeries I was fine as far as the AF was concerned. Good luck and be better soon.

Blue

[Bagrat]

My husband is in permanent AF and has had hernia repair and cataracts.I'm well controlled with paroxysmal AF and have had hernia repair,2 breast cancer surgeries and cataracts with no AF events before during or after.

[Frances123]

I have had breast cancer surgery and rectal surgery since AF diagnosis and like bagrat had no AF before, during or after. Both surgeons and anaesthetists didn’t seem fazed by it either. I wasn’t on anticoagulants for rectal surgeries (due to age) but was for breast cancer surgery.

Wishing you well.

[CDreamer]

I had Pacemaker implant and revision, both were when in AF - but I haven’t had general anaesthesia but that is because of another condition rather than AF.

I think it will depend upon the type of surgery, your general health and other conditions and the judgement of the Anaesthetist more than the surgeon but normally there is no problem with DOAC anticoagulation - again depends upon the surgery but usually you would miss the dose the day before or on the day of the surgery then as soon as surgery is finished they would ‘bridge’ with Heparin and then you would go back to your normal dose, as long as there was no bleeding.

AF is an incredibly common condition and hospitals are used to dealing with patients in AF or with Paroxysmal AF and as you can see from the replies, many people undergo surgery with no problems.

[Thomas45]

I had emergency surgery to remove my appendix. Having said that it took 12 hours for re-coagulation. I have permanent AF. My heart rate rose to over 190 during the operation, but anaesthetists looked after me.

I spent an extra 48 hours in hospital during which time my heart rate fell to 70bpm and I was discharged, feeling fine.

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, you can still have surgical procedures despite having AF. I had my gallbladder removed earlier this year with no problems and I'm in permanent AF.

Jean

[irene75359]

I have had three ops under GA in the past year and had not problems at all. The first one I suggested to the anaesthetist that I take flecainide (which I normally use as a PiP) and he agreed although I only took 50mg. The next two the anaesthetists weren't fazed at all and in any event I was fine. I think they are used to patients with AF.

[Auriculaire]

I have had three operations under GA since my afib diagnosis. A colectomy and 2 hip replacements. I did go into afib 3 days after the colectomy but that was due I think to having several triggers operating at once. I was fine for the hip ops

[Qualipop]

I've been wondering the same although I haven't yet had a diagnosis. I have constant atrial ectopics every 3 or 4 beats, 24 hours a day; no treatment as GP is waiting for holter monitor results but I'm due two teeth out and cataract surgery.

[LaceyLady]

I’ve had a partial knee replacement and last December a femoral hernia repair no problem with heart

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

You can depend on meds.

I cannot have Ablation for my rapid, persistent AF day slow night.

Reason my heart chamber is enlarged. L.V.

CCB Diltiazem am is Controlling my B/P and H/R with 1.25mg at night.

Be patient ang go to an interested private Cardiac Specialist if necessary.

cheers Joy. 73. (NZ)

[Svete]

Thank you everyone for your kind responses, very helpful information Xxx

[fibnum]

It never hurts to have your cardiologist communicate your heart issues to the surgeon, so that he/she cannot claim to have been uninformed if something happens. My cardiologist cautioned against kidney removal surgery, so the urologist did a more detailed screening and decided I did not need the surgery he had ordered. That was later confirmed at the Mayo Clinic. Thanks to my cardiologist, I still have the kidney!

Best wishes for you surgery,

Al

[Dippy22]

I love this forum!! Just when you need some info, the right subject comes up. 💓

I too am facing major surgery that I’ve waited almost two years for, but recently started bad episodes of PAF - just as the hospital called to say they could go ahead with the surgery and wanted to list me within a matter of days! Now they won’t operate until I’ve got the PAF sorted first. 😟. The answers that say it’s ok to go ahead with surgery are so helpful!