While in ICU After my aorta heart valve replacement using SAVR procedure, I developed heart electrical issues resulting in diagnosis of bradycardia and AV block ...Read more
While in ICU After my aorta heart valve replacement using SAVR procedure, I developed heart electrical issues resulting in diagnosis of bradycardia and AV block type 2. This resulted in me having pacemaker implanted on day 4 after my open heart surgery. I was told this occurs sometimes due to some of the heart electrical fibers being damaged during surgery. Has anyone experienced this issue, and have any feedback on it ?
Robert Miller I am not sure what information you are exactly looking for. Having said that, after my first mitral v ... Read more
Robert Miller I am not sure what information you are exactly looking for. Having said that, after my first mitral valve repair and maze procedure they had me on the temporary pacemaker because my heart didn't beat by itself. Nobody told me about this until the 3rd day or so when the surgeon came by, turned off the pacemaker (I didn't know what he was doing) and then turned it right back on. He then asked me if I felt something. I didn't feel my heart stopping but I knew something is definitely not right (at this point I still didn't know what was going on). Next day the same thing. A day afterwards it kind of worked and so the temporary pacemaker only assisted my heart, i.e. it kicked in every 5 minutes or so (and it zapped me similar to when you touch a fence to keep cows within the pasture, they had to make multiple adjustments). Supposedly, after a maze procedure it is fairly common that you need the temporary pacemaker. It's because the heart need to find new paths for the electrical signal (they scare your heart with cuts to redirect the electrical signal). It sounds to me that what is done intentionally during the maze procedure is something that happened in your case unintentioally (I don't think by mistake) and the heart didn't recover from it. It happens sometimes that after surgery you need a pacemaker. That's why all the OHS patients have those temporary pacemaker wires. I am sorry you are one of those patients that needs a permanent pacemaker but I do not believe this was due to any error of your surgeon, at least according to my understanding.
Rita Savelis I'm sorry to hear that you had to have a permanent pacemaker implanted. This happens in about 3% of c ... Read more
Rita Savelis I'm sorry to hear that you had to have a permanent pacemaker implanted. This happens in about 3% of cases. The electrical wires in your heart are invisible and can get cut/damaged during surgery. I didn't realise this was a possible side effect until I got my permanent pacemaker a few weeks after double valve replacement. Living with a pacemaker does not cause any problems for me and I don't feel it - but it is a large unsightly bulge on my skinny body. I don't like seeing it. I see a rhythmologist once a year for about 2 minutes and he checks my pacemaker on a computer. Take care.
Greg Lewis I actually consider myself lucky to NOT need a pacemaker after all the damage, and rhythm problems, ... Read more
Greg Lewis I actually consider myself lucky to NOT need a pacemaker after all the damage, and rhythm problems, my heart got during surgery. So, I am not a doctor, but what they told you sounds right.
Dennis Mican Thanks all your input on your experience with electrical issues and potential pacemakers after OHS. I ... Read more
Dennis Mican Thanks all your input on your experience with electrical issues and potential pacemakers after OHS. It all came as a surprise, and having pacemaker is ok, just had to extend hospital stay by a couple days š! Seems like it would be good topic for Adam to have surgeon discuss
Just had aorta heart valve replacement and 2 ascending aorta aneurysms repaired at Houston Methodist approximately 3 months ago, and my recovery has gone well. ...Read more
Just had aorta heart valve replacement and 2 ascending aorta aneurysms repaired at Houston Methodist approximately 3 months ago, and my recovery has gone well. One big problem I have had the past 5 years is not being able to fall asleep at night. Iām reading that adequate sleep is as important as diet and exercise for the heart. Can anyone share your approach in overcoming this issue, if you too have this sleep issue?
Susan Lynn Dennis - Sleeping before heart surgery can be difficult. Finding a comfortable position after OHS ... Read more
Susan Lynn Dennis - Sleeping before heart surgery can be difficult. Finding a comfortable position after OHS can also be a challenge. I was so exhausted during my recovery, I had no problem falling asleep, but found that eight continuous hours was impossible. Since you're early into recovery, I suggest sleeping when you can including napping during the day. If your sleeping issues persist, you may want to ask your doctor. A small dose of melatonin may be all you need. Good luck!
Marie Myers I found that sleep was very difficult early in recovery. The things that helped me were napping early ... Read more
Marie Myers I found that sleep was very difficult early in recovery. The things that helped me were napping early afternoon only, listening to relaxing UTube videos with ācalmingā or ārelaxingā in their titles, and focusing on my inhalation/exhalation (meditation ). Until I started getting active enough, sleep was elusive at night. I did ask for a prescription from my doc for the occasional night when I just couldnāt get my mind quiet. Unfortunately, aging has not helped my sleep eitherā¦
Dennis Mican Thanks Susan and Marie for your suggestions!
I am from: Sweeny
