Cordarone Before Heart Valve Surgery… Can You Help Bedora?
Bedora just sent me an interesting question about the use of Cordarone before heart surgery. If you are unfamiliar with Cordarone, this drug is used as an anti-arrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm.
In her note, Bedora requests patient inputs specific to the use of Cordarone prior to surgery. Personally, I did not need to use Cordarone. Did you? If so, maybe you can leave Bedora a comment after reading her story?
Here is what Bedora writes, “Good afternoon, Adam. First, please know that your book is a ‘Godsend’ and that it has been incredibly useful to my 83-year-old father and to the rest of our family. He will be having an aortic valve replacement one week from today (and also one bypass). Today, he started Cordarone three times a day for the seven days leading up to surgery. As you can imagine, he is most apprehensive about taking this somewhat toxic drug (but he will be nevertheless be taking per doctor’s orders). Did you have to take this particular drug (or its generic) prior to surgery, and if so, did you find it at least tolerable? If you didn’t take it, do you know other patients who have and whether they got by ok taking the medication? Thanks again for your wonderful book and for making yourself available as a resource! Take care, Bedora”
If you have any thoughts or ideas for Bedora about your experiences with Cordarone, please share them by clicking here.
In advance, thanks for your help!
Keep on tickin!
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the opportunities and challenges of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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July 20th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Bedora,
I had to take amiodarone after my surgery because of atrial fibrillation…..it was given IV at first, then orally. I had no problems with it. Hope that helps you. Jean Karloski
September 27th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Hi Bedora
I too was prescribed that same drug for the week prior to my surgery. When my surgery ended up being postponed at the last minute, I asked if I needed to renew the prescription for another week but the surgeon said no. I didn’t know I had an irregular heart beat and don’t know if the drug fixed it either. It can’t have been all that important so I can only report that I didn’t have any problems taking it or side effects. I had printed off quite a sheet of dreadful possible side effects and can say I’m glad I didn’t have to renew it. Good luck to your dad on his surgery. Cheryl, Canada