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Cordarone Before Heart Valve Surgery… Can You Help Bedora?

By Adam Pick on July 20, 2009

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 leave a comment below.

In advance, thanks for your help!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Jean Karloski says on 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

Cheryl says on 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