A fib after Dental anesthetic

[sooty757]

Went into a fib after a dental extraction,5 years a fib free .Lasted 12 days persistent

2 further episodes this year ..

That was after 2 ablations

The anesthetic contained adrenaline,the dentist was aware of my condition and previously used alternative anesthetic..

She was off after this with "sleeping" problems and suspect over work or other illnesses

I know it may have happened anyway but it's not been good in my head .

Took years to get the ablations

But now I have almost persistent PVC's about 10/15%

Increase in heart rate..

Not sure where to go next ,when GP were a little more accessible and I was 20 years younger I was denied any treatment.

No 68 and had a great 5 years a fib free ,lost most of my _40's and all my 50's to it ..

[Responsable]

I had similar experience. Went for a tooth extraction, had anesthetic with adrenaline and had serious problems after about 1 hour. I was already at home when problems started. The symptoms were: white, tingling fingers, shivering, feeling unwell in general. By this time, and it was good 5 years ago, I had not come to the idea that I was sent into some kind of arrhythmia, but soon understood it. I have no Kardia or similar device, so even did not try to find out what it was, but now I am almost sure that it was SVT or maybe serious frequency of PVCs. What is obvious, is that my heart was not pumping as it should be and my blood circulation was very poor. I do have a number of different arrhythmias, which come and go, mostly AF, but without symptoms. Since then, I always warn my dentist about the anesthetic type...

[Pommerania78 in reply to Responsable]

Do you now use the non-adrenaline type, and if so how does it work out for you? Thanks.

[Responsable in reply to Pommerania78]

There are othr types of anesthetics, so the dentist takes care which one to use. Have had no problems with them (had two visits to the dentist afterwards). Maybe not important, but I also have bad reactions to penicillin and bee poison.

[Ppiman]

My dentist is aware of this, too, but insists the injection is safe for me and, so far, it always has been.

The amount of adrenaline is minute.

My thoughts are to wonder whether your heart (its "substrate" at a cellular level) wasn't already prone to recurrence of the AF and that this would likely have occurred at some point with or without the adrenaline?

Steve

[opal11uk]

Since my diagnosis 20 odd years ago I had always asked for adrenalin free anaesthetic so not had any problems. Personally I would go to my GP and start there, it may be that you need a drug adjustment to your current meds etc., good luck

[Pommerania78 in reply to opal11uk]

How did the adrenalin free anaesthetic work out as compared to other type? Thanks.

[iris1205 in reply to Pommerania78]

It takes a little longer to set in, so the dentist can't work right away but it is just as efficient if they wait for it to take effect.

[opal11uk in reply to opal11uk]

I copied this from the Web: Google defines an “adrenaline rush” as “a physical feeling of intense excitement and stimulation caused by the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands.” Epinephrine, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, can cause several systemic side effects, including anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, flushing, chest pain, tremors, and nausea. This is why it is advised to have Adrenalin free anaesthetic, Since diagnosed many years ago, my dentists have awareness of my condition from the forms filled in when joining a practise so they are forewarned, but I always remind them lol.

[Pommerania78 in reply to opal11uk]

How well do the non-adrenaline forms work? Thanks.

[opal11uk in reply to Pommerania78]

I can only speak for myself and they have been absolutely fine, no problems.

[iris1205 in reply to Pommerania78]

Never had a problem with the adrenaline free type!

[CTblood]

I had a tooth abscess and after a course of antibiotics had the tooth extracted. The cardiology team said it was almost certainly the tooth infection that triggered my afib, my dentist used the non adrenaline anaesthetic for the extraction.I had a cardioversion after a few months which put me back into NSR, that was 4 months ago and so far it’s still ok. Wish you all the best.

[Pommerania78]

How well did the non-adrenaline anaesthetic work? Thanks.

[SuzieA]

since I had Afib If I e needed anaesthesia at dentist I’ve always had adrenaline free and it’s been fine. Good Luck

[Cavalierrubie]

Any infection can trigger AF., and it’s one of the major triggers. That’s why they give you a blood test, for infection, if you go to A/E with an attack. I have never had a problem with dental anaesthetic, so you were just unfortunate. Don’t forget either. that the stress of extraction probably played its part. I recently had a ct angiogram and either the dye, or beta blocker they injected, triggered my AF. I was anxious as well. Good recipe for AF., as most medical tests can be. I would go back to my GP if l was worried and ask for a referral to see a Cardiologist. You may have to wait, but you could go privately to see an EP.

[Fblue]

i’m really sorry that happened to you. I repeat to my dentist at least five times to use no adrenaline in the anesthetic. My dad had a very bad experience with the adrenaline and a fibs, so I don’t care if they think I’m a pain in the neck. It’s too important to worry about what someone else thinks of me. I just had a skin biopsy and did the same thing with the lidocaine. You can also call ahead to make sure they have it so they could get it if they don’t for your appointment. I’m so sorry this happened to you, but thank you for posting to raise awareness. it’s so important for everyone to hear so that we make sure we don’t do anything that we can avoid that could cause a fibs. Yours is not alone incident. Adrenaline is a known cause of atrial fibrillation. Take care of yourself. Drink extra water.

[Sixtychick]

I stopped having a dental anaesthetic with adrenaline in it, in the 70’s as it made me feel dizzy, shaky and sick and made my heart beat fast. I was given an adrenaline free injection thereafter and was fine, so I always make sure I’m given one, when I need one at the dentist. When I was a dental nurse, many years ago, I realised that quite a few people had this reaction to adrenaline and they were always given the adrenaline free injection instead. I’ve been taking Sotalol for several years now and Sotalol reacts badly with Adrenaline, as do many other drugs. Just make sure you are always given a plain adrenaline free injection. They should make a note of it on your records along with the drugs you take.

[108cat]

This is reminding me that some years before I had any experience or diagnosis of PAF I fainted, became dizzy and heart palpitated due to adrenaline in a dental anasthetic. Since then I always insist on no anasthetic or non adrenaline anasthetic.

I hadn't made a connection between the effect of the adrenaline based anasthetic and AF untill now but it makes complete sense. To be honest I don't really understand the role of adrenaline in the heart that's maybe a separate post.