AF and general anaesthetic

[bikerider00]

Looking for informed opinions/experiences. I am likely to be going in for op under GA (nothing to do with the ticker).

I have PAF. Episodes currently probably about every 7days, and lasting anywhere between 2 and 11 hours (my last one was the longest). AF kicks in during the night and is assumed (by the EP) to be vagally induced (I have a fairly low resting HR).

Does anyone know what the accepted wisdom is around whether GA can induce AF, or have experience.

EDIT: Just to be clear. I'm not worried about their being a serious risk to health (clearly AF sufferers have ops under GA). Just that this is elective surgery (but for something which is also affecting my QOL) and I'm trying to set my expectations. And perhaps also figure out whether to get this done before or after an ablation.

Anyway, thanks for the all the replies.

[10gingercats]

many people have a general an.and have afib. Your doctors will advise you but I had a hip replacement with afib. no problem .When I came round they said i had gone into afib while asleep. doctors have different ways of preparing you for this but you will be guided by them. and in safe hands.

[jeanjeannie50]

I had my gallbladder removed under a GA a few years ago and it didn't have any effect whatsoever on my AF.

Jean

[bantam12]

I had a very complicated op last year, no problem with GA and AF at all.

[Buffafly]

I had a six hour spinal op, part GA and part epidural I believe. It did induce AF as I was told to expect but a dose of digoxin sorted it.

[pottypete1]

I have had a number of unrelated operations under GA with no problems at all.

I have also had four ablations under GA which went much better than the previous three ablations with sedation.

I have also had a number of cardioversions when I had anaesthetic albeit for a very short procedure.

We are all different but I think you should relax about it.

Hope it goes well for you.

Pete

[BobD Volunteer]

The question is more will the team perform your op if you are in AF? This question is usually decided by the anaesthetsist who's job it is to look after you whilst asleep. This would normally be discussed at any pre op meeting.

[wilsond]

In my experience, pre AF,and beyond,also with parents,the anesthetist is King of the theatre. He or she has your life under control. Brilliant people,much underestimated. They will take into account your AF.Best wishes

[bikerider00 in reply to wilsond]

Absolutely. I've no doubts on that. It was more setting my expectations as to whether it could kick off AF. I seem to be in a phase where my AF is getting more frequent and longer: I'm now writing this at 6am having got up after my AF kicked in again at 1:20 am

I'm not concerned about their being a 'serious' risk per se.

[Espeegee in reply to bikerider00]

I've just been directed to your thread after I posted something very similar. I've been told to have a 24hr ECG before they will do my op, I just don't understand the issue, I've experienced Afib for years, it comes and goes, I don't have any meds and I'm still alive. Tomorrow see ENT as I have a deviated septum which I'm told can be sorted under a GA having had my knee op cancelled because of this Afib issue I'm in a quandary, do I mention I have Afib and see another op cancelled?

[bikerider00 in reply to Espeegee]

Thanks for this. Timing is everything as they say: I've now looked at your post and the various replies. It is possible there is a distinction between private vs NHS treament, based on facilities. As a result of your experience and some others relayed on that thread I have emailed my private consultant raising my "concerns" about this i.e. whether I am at risk of being bounced because of AF. He is taking it away to find out.

It would be a major irony if my attempts to deal with my issue privately to speed treatment up results in longer delay if I end up having to back up and go through the NHS. If that is the root of the issue.

[Espeegee in reply to bikerider00]

I feel for you, I am by no means wealthy but sidestepping the NHS for the things I can afford has become my go to, MRIs and X-rays being two of them. Today I’ve been to see an ENT consultant in a private hospital via the NHS. When given the choice I looked at them all, 4 NHS and 2 private, this hospital had the shortest waiting time for a first appointment, the rest were grim, the NHS in one hospital was 100 weeks! I think there seems to be a drawback with private hospitals taking on the work of the NHS, I have absolutely no problem with it, from referral to the bed was about 3 months, that’s why not getting it done was such a blow. I hope you fare better.

[Bramley01]

I have had several GA’s and they have had no effect, I’m sure the anaesthetist would not go ahead if he believed there would be any issues

[opal11uk]

Hip replacement two years ago and no problems, the Anaesthetist is normally involved pre-op so ask your questions and good luck

[Garden_lover]

I've had both AF and no AF after a general anaesthetic. Just make the anaesthetist aware - last time they gave me magnesium while I was under and I had no AF.

[OzJames]

I've had PAF over 30 years and had a couple of Ops for ACL reconstructions of both knees, no issue at all with either Op. I did mention to the Anaesthetist pre-Op of my AF history and he thanked me for letting him know. I'm not sure if he adjusted anything for that but in any case let them know

[Belle11]

I've had 2 GAs for knee surgery without going into AF - but I declined the steroids that are usually prescribed after this type of surgery, as my original attack of persistent AF started shortly after steroid injections.

Hope you have a good experience.