General anaesthetic and ectopic heartbeats

[Britishgas]

I have ectopic heartbeat and low pulse. I am having polyps removed under a general anaesthetic on Monday and am so worried about being knocked out with my heart problem. Does anyone know how safe it is ?

[Hidden]

I have SVT, which is an arrhythmia essentially triggered by ectopics, and I still have a significant number of them on a daily basis even with medication but having not had an actual episode of arrhythmia in several years. In the time since diagnosis I’ve had 4 pretty major ops under GA, including two brain ops, with no issues at all: you have to remember that ectopics are actually extremely common in the general population, with lots of people having them without ever being aware, and only very rarely considered a problem in and of themselves. They’re something all anaesthetists are very familiar with, and you’d be closely monitored for the duration of a GA even without a heart issue. The same can be said for the low heart rate: I don’t know how low you’re talking, but the op will have been arranged with the knowledge that it’s an issue you have, and they wouldn’t be willing to put you under if they weren’t certain it was safe. My first brain op was postponed for 6 months as my first SVT occurred 4 weeks before my op was scheduled for, and even though my neuro issue was massively disabling, they simply weren’t prepared to knock me out until I’d had further tests and could be sure my hr was under control. Again, I’m not sure what sort of polyps you’re having removed, but unless they themselves are life threatening, they’re not going to knowingly risk an avoidable adverse event.

[Britishgas in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. My heart rate at night is around mid 40s and only goes up to lower 50s in the day. One cardiologist said low pulse is good!! Had a pre op Friday but was not having an ectopic episode at that time but the nurse did make notes and ecg did show low pulse rate so they are aware

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

A friend's son is an award winning anesthetist. Before becoming an anesthetist they have to qualify as a doctor and then undertake further study. After a few years they have encountered most things. The challenging ones are those who arrive unconscious with zero identification having collapsed or been in an accident. Here they look for clues such as raised BG, what does ECG show, etc. You are in safe hands so stop worrying...

[Fluffybee in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi MichaelJH

How are you getting on, are you healing well now?

Still causing havoc 🤭🤭

[Britishgas in reply to MichaelJH]

Unfortunately I am a worrier so thank you so much for your reassurance

[Britishgas in reply to MichaelJH]

Unfortunately I am a worrier so thank you so much for your reassurance

[R1100S1]

I had 8 hour Whipple procedure surgery in November 2019

Think heart was only thing that didn’t cause problems

They do operations in folk with similar conditions all the time.

Keep safe x

[Britishgas in reply to R1100S1]

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated

[Britishgas]

Hi Just to let everyone know I had my op and was ok with the anaesthetic, the staff were brilliant and made notes of my low pulse and ectopics and looked after me brilliantly.

Need to rest but having these dam ectopics but hopefully will calm down soon

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Britishgas]

Thank you for letting others know. Often we never know the outcome when a number of members have offered advice.

[Britishgas]

You’re welcome