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 [1] 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 [2] 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. [3] To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.