Need information about AF

[Jewel7]

Hi all, as you all know my husband is through his aortic valve replacement and on the ward. Last night he had a temperature and his WBC was alittle high, so he is on IV penicillin in case of infection. They also found that he was having an irregular heart rhythm. He is now on Amioderone which he is responding to so far. His temp this morning is normal and his heart is back in sinu rhythm. My question is is this normal to have irregular heart rhythm after surgery and How long will he need to take the Amioderone.

Thank you.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

AF occurs in around 25%+ of people after open heart surgery of all types. The heart doesn't really like being messed around with. Usually this resolves in a few days to a fortnight as the heart and body recover from the trauma although very occasionally medication is needed longer term, and very rarely a pacemaker.

I was on antibiotics post surgery for a slight fever although they couldn't decide if it was a mild infection or a reaction to the blood transfusion I needed.

[Jewel7 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Just in your reply you’ve put my mind at ease... not being there makes it hard to be able to ask questions or chat to the medics .

But again thank you so much.

I hope that my almost running account of my husbands and my journey through his heart surgery will give comfort to others. Before my husband was diagnosed with AV regurgitation I knew nothing about it, both of us have had to learn about his condition at speed, it’s because of our hearties like yourself and through a great forum like the BHF that it’s made our journey a lot easier even though all of it is very scary and you acquire a few more grey hairs. So thank you everyone for all the great support.

Regards,

Jewel7

[Nic25 in reply to Jewel7]

Hi Jewel7. Just to add Michael's right, AF post-op is very common (I felt lucky to not have an issues, but many on my ward did). But he's also right that in most cases the heart rhythms get back to normal pretty quickly. Fingers crossed! Hope things stabilise and he continues to improve.

Best to you

Nic x

[thetidders]

Hi Jewel7, I had AF after my triple bypass. I didn’t know until the surgeon took my pulse manually, he said don’t worry about it, it should go back to normal in a few days but if it doesn’t it can be sorted out. He was right the AF was gone after 2 to 3 days.

Please try not to worry.

Jean

[TMeditation]

I went into AF as soon as my surgeon touched my heart during my aortic valve replacement last year. Mine stayed with me for about 6 weeks and my surgeon assured me it was quite common. I too was on Amiodarone. Then in November last year my AF returned after I contracted a virus (according to my cardiologist) and again it stayed for about another 6-8 weeks. It disappeared in Feb and I’ve been clear since. It’s going to be temporary for your husband too I imagine and he should look forward to feeling very well again soon. Try not to worry, either of you 🙂 I know it’s difficult for partners, it certainly was for my husband. Good luck and best wishes. X

[123ghana]

Pleased to hear your hubby is making good recovery .😊😊

[alheart]

I had the same problem 3 days after my AVR and double by-pass

Kept me in ICU longer but was sorted

Never had a problem again till one of stress caused event last year

I did take part in the Kardia trial in 2016 and bought into it a year later

Great ESG app to have and the fact I can send to my Heart team is so reassuring to me and them

Worth looking into and this is not a hard sell on behalf of Kardia

I tried to get my hospital to give it out for 3 months after such ops as it gives such confidence in physio recovery

Hope this helps

Just relax and remember to ask questions both from medical team and this great community site

Good health

Alastair

[road2ruin]

Hi Jewel7,

I too had AF after my surgery last year. I was discharged and then felt unwell. Went to A & E only to be kept in for the night. I was put on amiodarone and the AF disappeared in the early hours. I was then take off amiodarone about a month later and put on Bisporolol 1.25mg. Touch wood nothing since. I occasionally have ectopic beats but very infrequently.

It is a very scary time but don't be afraid to speak to the doctors.

Good luck

[Chickenlou]

My fiancé had AFib on the 2nd day after his triple bypass. They really struggled to get his heart back into normal rhythm and he had to spend an additional night in icu (he was put on amiodrone) He then had a second episode a couple of days later.

His consultant said it’s very common but it was still scary at the time.

He stayed on the amiodrone for 8 weeks and then was taken off it. So far so good although he’s not had a check up in person due to Covid (and his consultant is advising he goes back on bisoprolol now.)

[Jewel7 in reply to Chickenlou]

Hi Chickenlou

I have a few questions and being you were so helpful before wondered if you would have the answer. Did you have trouble with belching after your operation, even 1 week post operation. My husbands BP 125/65 and Pulse of 66 his heart rate is regular but sometimes misses a beat, my thought would be that the medical staff though this was fine as he’s only been home a day after his AVR. Naturally he is very tired and wants to sleep a lot. The other thing was did you get to odd hot flush post op at home in the first few week.

Regards,

[Chickenlou in reply to Jewel7]

I can’t remember belching being a problem for my fiancé...I might just not have noticed tho!

Hot periods..yes definitely. I spent the last year with my fiancé telling me he was cold all the time and after the bypass he was initially ok or hot all of the time. He also struggled to maintain his temperature in icu.

If you/your husband are worried though please ask the medical staff involved in his care as everyone’s recovery is different.

🙂

[valeriep]

Hi Jewel7, I developed AFib after having 3 stents inserted almost 2 years ago, which resulted in an overnight stay at the hospital, watching my heart monitor swoop up and down. My specialist's words were exactly the same as Michael's - hearts don't like being messed around with and often act up in protest! I was put on a course of Amiodarone and there's been no recurrence since.

[Jewel7 in reply to valeriep]

Hi Valerie,

I have a few questions and being you were so helpful before wondered if you would have the answer. Did you have trouble with belching after your operation, even 1 week post operation. My husbands BP 125/65 and Pulse of 66 his heart rate is regular but sometimes misses a beat, my thought would be that the medical staff though this was fine as he’s only been home a day after his AVR. Naturally he is very tired and wants to sleep a lot. The other thing was did you get to odd hot flush post op at home in the first few week.

Regards,

[valeriep in reply to Jewel7]

Hi Jewel7, I can't really answer, because I had my stents put in through my wrist with a local anaesthetic, so I dodged heart surgery. If you're worried about any of your husband's symptoms, I'd give the ward where he was treated a call to check. Hope he continues to grow in strength and is back on his feet soon!

[080311 in reply to Jewel7]

Hi Jewel7,

Didn’t have the belching problem but feeling hot yes, use to say they had altered my thermostat when I was on bypass!

Regards Pauline

[Jewel7]

Thank you for your help