hip replacement & taking Flecainide 150mg x 2

[Fib36]

Hi everyone - I have been on Flecainide 150mg twice daily for nearly a year now (increased from 100mg x 2) and thus far the A.F episodes (17 in 2022) have ceased. My problem now is I am facing the prospect of hip replacement surgery & wonder if anyone else has experienced this and did they have to stop taking the Flecainide before the op (this prospect worries me as I fear the AF will start all over again!Thanks

Fib 36

[10gingercats]

I had a hip replacement following an accident .I was taking Apixaban not Flecanide.I went into AFib during the surgery i was told but they dealt with it and nothing further happened to upset my Afib status.

[Fib36 in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi - his is what is scaring me as I have been AF free for almost a year now and suspect I will be told to stop the Flecainide pre-surgery!

[Desanthony in reply to Fib36]

Talk this over with your consultant and anaesthetist. there is no problem when stopping. I was on apixaban and stopped for 36 hours prior to the op (mine was for total knee replacement - and let me tell you that is much worse than hip replacement, My hip replacement was a breeze compared to the knee. I then started back on apixaban at half strength for a few weeks and then back on as normal. this may be different for Flec. You should ring your consultant's secretary at the hospital and find out and then address this at your pre op and further meetings with the consultant and anaesthetist It really is nothing to worry about but make sure you address your concerns with your consultant and anaesthetist. It may help if you contact your EP about this as well so that if necessary they con contact your consultant's team. You are in very good hands in the hospital so you will be absolutely fine.

[Fib36 in reply to Desanthony]

Hi,

Many thanks for your kind words. Actually I had a total knee replacement in 2018 (epidrural) and this went ok EXCEPT for the fact I was told I must wear the compression socks provided non-stop for 6weeks post op BUT it turns out I was mistakenly given the wrong size which were miles too small so had problems with edemas veinous insufficiency etc etc . I will try to talk to my cardiologist (although his opinion is that I should try to stop the Flecainide altogether!)

Fib 36

[Desanthony in reply to Fib36]

My surgeon didn't insist on the socks either for my hip or my knee but I wore them anyway. they are so awkward to put on but I did persevere. I can't imagine wearing the wrong size. The right size are bad enough! Hope everything goes well for you.

[Fib36 in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi,

Many thanks for your reply - I just hope that I can continue with the Flecainide without interuption as being a very stressful person I reckon that lifelong acute stress & anxiety has contributed to palpitaions & AF etc. My initial assessment is on 13th November so I should know where I stand after then!

Fib 36

[Kent2007]

Hi. I have had both hips done and, in both occasions, was advised by the medics to continue with my flecainide (100mg × 2). All went well. 6 years ago, I had a prostatectomy. The surgeon insisted on me getting a green light from a cardiologist ( not an EP). The cardio said I'd be OK and I was - and stayed on the flecainide. Good luck with your hip op - it's well worth doing.

[Fib36 in reply to Kent2007]

Hi,

Many thanks for your reassurance so I hope that will be the case for me and will certainly try to speak to my cardiologist as his approval would certainly give me peace of mind.

Fib 36

[Woodymet]

I had hip replacement in August 2022. I take bisoprol diltiazam and pradaxa I stopped taking pradaxa for 48 hours prior to op. Everything went well with no afib recorded. Immediately after op they introduced all medication over the next 24 hour other than pradaxa I had to inject an anti coagulant directly into my stomach every night for 10 days then return to taking pradaxa

[Fib36 in reply to Woodymet]

Hi,

Many thanks for your reply and information - I also take Edoxaban (blood thinner) so assume that this will have to be discontinued pre-op but hopefully I can get an agreement to carry on with the Flecainide.

Fib 36