I'm currently on the lung cancer diagnostic pathway with tests coming up and a decision whether to operate at an appointment on Friday 13 December (yikes 😱). I've got a nodule on my left lung which has been monitored for the past couple of years or so but has now grown so a decision needs to be taken whether to operate. I've been passed from the medical team to the surgical team for the testing and decision making. I mentioned my AFsituation to the medical consultant - there's loads of information on my hospital file about it. I also mentioned it when I saw the surgical consultant. But neither sparked much whether it's an important consideration in deciding whether or not to operate. I'm just concerned whether they are looking at things from their specialism and not taking into account my wider cardiac situation. It would be great to hear whether others have been in a similar situation when a major operation has been on the cards. How was your Afib looked at? Also it would be very helpful to hear the stories of members who have had major operations. Was your Afib an issue? It's just the sort of stressful situation which could tip me into an episode.
A Fib and major operations: I'm... - Atrial Fibrillati...
A Fib and major operations
The go/no go decision is usally that of the anaesthetist officiating at any operation. When I had my four hour prostate cancer operation it was shortly after my third ablation and termination of my AF so it was not an issue. I was informed, however, that had I still AF then they would not have operated but gone straight to radiotherapy which according to subsequent discoveries would have missed part of the cancer which had by then escaped the prostate.
Obviously each case is measured on merit and whilst it is generally agreed that surgeons are not keen on doing prostatectomies, for many reasons, it was the right thing for me now thirteen years later.
Atrial fibrillation is very prevalent and surgical teams are well prepared for it. This even includes major surgeries, involving many hours under anesthesia, such as open heart surgery.
Can the surgery, possibly trigger an afib event? Sure it's possible, but again the surgical team is more than capable of handling such an event both during an after surgery.
So if this is an important surgery, and you're cleared for it, I would not give it a second thought.
Jim
I had a six hour operation on my spine. I had an ecg and a cardiology appointment as part of the prep. I was told I would probably go into AF, which I did, and that they could handle it, which they did. If it’s possibly a life saving operation I wouldn’t think twice about it. Best wishes
Thanks Buffaly. Funnily enough I've just been sent an appointment for an ECG, so it looks like they are going down the same route.
I had complex major surgery followed by sepsis 8 months ago, one anaesthetist was a bit twitchy about the op but only because I was having it at a private hospital with no facilities if anything kicked off, however on the day it was a different anaesthetist and he wasn’t at all worried so the op went ahead. I didn’t have and AF issues with either the op or the sepsis.
I have had a few major surgeries including upper abdomen surgery in June. Because of my AF history and the operation being in the same vicinity as the heart/lungs/oesophagus my anaesthetist arranged for me to spend the first night in the high dependency unit before being moved to a ward for the next couple of nights. I was fine during the surgery but did have a couple of short AF episodes the following day. (I am in Australia though).
My surgery was not major, to remove my appendix. I had, and still have permanent, though asymptomatic, AF. I had visits from the anaesthetists before the operation. At 2.30am the operation started, but as my heart rate had shot up I was kept under anaesthetic for a further three hours after the hour long operation. When I was woken up it was at 190bom, and it took two days to get back to normal range.
Hi
In Sept 2019 I was helicoptered to our main base hospital at 6-7am although I was awoken at 2am with a sore head.
Stroke Embolic, left frontal lobe, AF Rapid and Persistent, 4 days diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Shadow on my thyroid during my carotid arteries scan.
Latest direction is not to take an anti-co.agulant with a diagnosis of cancer.
But I have a low dose of PRADAXA 110mg twice a day.
I have undergone 3 operations.
The Stroke DR on my ward said no operations until 6 months have passed.
This was argued and the Thyroidectomy with 12 lymph nodes removed and dissection of bed was done in early Feb 2020.
I wanted a cardiac specialist on my triage team re RAI (Radio-active Iodine treatment) post thyroidectomy and Suppression.
In this 4th year I have been recalled. Calcification in 2 lymphs and thymus. Lined up for a RAI Scan I questioned the n thyroxine for 6 weeks!
In the end I had a PET Scan leaving out my thyroxine for 2 mornings.
This year with Ultra-sound, CT Scan with Dye, PET Scan with RA Iodine Infusion, and MRI Pituitary Gland examined with nothing wrong.
A further CT Scan 6 months on 5th November to see if growth has occurred.
I have further asked for a Cardiac Specialist on my team.
Like any Specialist my surgeon is a General Surgeon. He says that he is NOT a Cardiac Specialist. But I remind him that Iodine RA Treatment has effect on the heart.
I see your predicament and advise you to speak out on amy relevant adverse effects of treatment or surgery on your AF and heart.
I run the risk forward of 2 affected lymph nodes removed and possibly the thymus which are close to the heart and pulmonary artery.
Take care In the end before changing from RAI SCAN to PET Scan and my reservations, a group of Thyroid Specialist met to disgust my reservations.
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
Thanks Joy. It's good advice to speak up and make sure my concerns are at least heard. I wish you well for your scan.
I have had 3 ops in the last 9 years that I have had afib- a colectomy and 2 hip replacements. I was fine during all three but my afib kicked off afterwards 3 days after the colectomy ,when I was still in the clinic and a week after the two hip ops, when I was back at home. I had a colonoscopy in June and I asked the anaesthetist if the prep tipped me into afib ( low sugar from going too long without food is one of my triggers) would they still proceed and he said yes it wouldn't be a problem. You get knocked out here for a colonoscopy- no watching the screen .
Thanks. I must try to make sure I look after my triggers. One is dehydration so I need to drink plenty of water and hope they can deal with the consequences of any leaks.
When my mother had a mastectomy they did a TOE before the op.
Thanks. I said in my response to Buffaly that the team had ordered an ECG. Looking at the paperwork more closely I see it's for an echo, so it looks like they have heard my message about my cardiac issues.
I'm waiting for mitral valve repair surgery with a Cox IV Maze thrown in for good measure. I also have gallstones, resulting in some extremely painful episodes when they decide to shuffle about.The gastro guy said it would be best to have the gallbladder out but won't touch it until the heart is sorted.
I know my situation is slightly different to yours but I think its the risk/reward decision rather than the lung guys not taking your AF into account.
Maybe the potential issue from leaving the module is greater than an AF issue. 🤷🏻♀️
Whatever the decision, hope all goes well for you.
I had major surgery for colon cancer back in July and was in AF when I went in for the operation. The anaesthetist did not seem worried about it and the operation went ahead with no problems.
Thanks Clarrie, that's reassuring.
Fib
Root Cause of A-Fib. 
Older female, need thoughts on ablation decision 
Paroxysmal Atrial Fib not converting. 
Sleep Apnea and Arrhthmia
