Wide QRS interval

[Samazeuilh2]

I saw a consultant last week as a follow-up to a bypass nearly six months ago and to discuss how I was getting on with bisoprolol after a switch from Sotalol. I haven’t had any AF since bisoprolol was increased to 10mg but I had some quite fast AF in December prior to that. I still get a lot of PVCs. Today I received a letter saying “the medium term prognosis looks good” (I would have liked this more if he had said “long term prognosis”). However, he also commented : “he does have a broad QRS at 148 milliseconds and first degree heart block as is often seen after bypass surgery”. In fact I had both of these pre-bypass, but I wondered if anyone knew how good (or bad) the actual 148 ms figure was?

[Ppiman]

Hi there. I also have a wide QRS but one caused by left-bundle branch block (LBBB), which is, I know, different from yours. A friend who has had a replacement valve also has a wide QRS. I was told it is unlikely to cause any future problems, but I was given losartan daily, a drug for blood pressure, even though my BP is normal. I was told is protects the heart. If I were you. I would definitely ask my GP for more information on the consultant's report.

Steve

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Ppiman]

I will certainly do so. I’m actually taking Losartan for blood pressure. Since I’ve also started Bisoprolol my blood pressure is quite good. Thanks for replying.

[Ppiman in reply to Samazeuilh2]

My feeling is that medical knowledge of heart conditions is sometimes at least still at the level of art rather than science and that doctors can only give a best guess. My late friend, for example, who lived till he was 95, had a triple bypass in his 60s and didn't expect at all to live as long as he did, and with generally good health throughout.

Steve

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Ppiman]

I have a friend who is still very well 17 years after his triple bypass. I don’t what the impact of AF is on all of this. It’s very difficult to predict the future trajectory of heart conditions as you say.

[Ppiman in reply to Samazeuilh2]

I think n(hope?) that many of us will live far longer than this blessed condition makes us think at times. When my heart is racing, it's hard sometimes not to feel that you are going to sink to the floor any minute!

Steve