Operations for non cardiac conditions

[woodbon]

I have moderate Mitral valve regurgitation and mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation with bicuspid valve. Also some left ventricular impairment which had improved at the last echo, last year. Heart failure 2/3 NYHA. I am going to have non cardiac surgery, for a breast lump, which has been diagnosed benign, but no clear edges so wide exhision surgery is needed. It's next week and I'm a bit worried about anisthetic. Although the hospital is aware of my heart condition and seen my last echo. Anyone had experience of anasthetic and heart conditions?

[Fredders]

I had a splenectomy two years ago. I had my first AVR in 2011 and the new valve was already leaking when I had the splenectomy. My surgical team were well aware of my heart history and reassured me that they would take good care of me and had liaised with my heart consultant. I had no problems. I then had my second AVR last November and they had to take into account that I now have a compromised immune system, so infection control was essential. Again, no problems.

Wendy

[woodbon in reply to Fredders]

Thank you. I'm things went well with you. I think it's the waiting that makes me so anxious, I just want it over!

[Midgeymoo17]

Seriously it is no problem. If it was they would tell you. I was born with a complex cyanotic congenital heart defect- Tetralogy of Fallot. This is my surgical History:

1) Emergency Colostomy and Duodenal Atresia repair (non-cardiac)- Age 4 hours

2) Fallots Tetralogy Repair (Cardiac)- Age 3 months

3) Anal Atresia Repair and Colostomy reversal (non-cardiac)l- Age 9 months

4)Strabismus Surgery (non-cardiac)- Age 2 years

5) MACE Surgery (non-cardiac)- Age 4 years

6) Pulmonary Valve Replacement- Age 20 years

Had GA for all these and other tests and never had a problem. This said all surgical teams knew I had a heart condition even in the emergency operation at 4 hours old, when Ia ctaully had not had my full cardiac diagnosis. And in all cases the procedure has taken place in the same hospital I receive my cardiac care. We did originally plan an ovariectomy this was the only one they said no because of the way I was in between adult and paediatric cardiac services so could not get approval and with no evidence cyst was cancerous agreed watch and wait. In the end it was endometriosis.

[woodbon]

Thank you for your reply. You've really been through a lot, and I'm glad it turned well. I've had a hystarectomy at 30, an ulcer that burst in my duodenum in the early 90's, but I didn't have/or know of any heart problems then. The op should been a week ago and I felt OK then, but now I feel more nervous, and hope that it goes ahead this time.

[stevejb1810 in reply to woodbon]

I think as you get nearer the due date for an op, understandably, your anxiety levels increase. As you have already made the hospital aware you your cardiac issues, this will have been taken into account when the surgical team discuss what anaesthetic to use. Your anaesthetist should see you for a chat before the op so you should mention it again then.

Steve

[gal4God]

I have other ops as well has heart ops and have no problem but my docs are trained in cardiology

[woodbon]

Thank you all so much. It makes me feel better about things to hear from people who have had non-cardiac ops and are OK. I think its nerves really, as the day draws nearer and I just wish I could have the op now and not wait!

Sue

[clarehealsworldwide]

Wishing you all the best. Clare

[woodbon]

Well, yesterday I had my procedure, which for a breast lump. I was very nervous and worried that my heart condition would cause problems. The operation went very well and took about an hour, they told me although I had a long wait from 11am till about 3.30 pm but still was discharged at about 7 pm. They had all my notes and info about my heart, so that was something to put my mind at ease! I had oxygen for a while after I came round, but not for long. At one point I felt as if I wasn't getting enough air and told the anthethitist who was still their and he smiled and said my stats where 100% oygen. I think I didn't like the mask. Today I'm fine, slept late, but eating but, they are right about not being quite withit for 24 hours, 2 coffee cups, washing up a clean dish instead of the dirty one, but even that is going off now! Thanks for you replies. sue