Elie's Posts

I am 12 days post op and had a fib twice. Once on day 4 then again on day 5. So my heart raced and went into irregular rhythm both times. Each time they pushed beta blockers through my iv and put me on a magnesium drip to calm the heart. Both times I went back to sinus,normal, rhythm and heart beat dropped from 140+ to 80. I did not pass out, but they may have been worried given they kept on asking how I felt. They increased my oral beta blockers, should be called metropol or lo pressa, and I have not had an episode since. I understand speedy heart rate and a fib are complications 35-60% of us see. Especially after aortic valve work. There is a nerve bundle near that valve. I also understand it to mostly go away as the heart heals. With all this said I am not a doc. Write your questions down, run through them with a nurse and I am sure they can educate you and calm your fears. I was told that the a fib and heart rate if not allowed to continue for long periods of time are ok and don't hurt anything. Hope this helps Drn

My dad is post op 7 days today. he also had a fib sat where his heart raced and nurses where able to get it back to normal with meds. What happen to him on day 3 was a little different. a specialist came in a decided to put a defibrillator which was to be put in today. right from surgery his heart surgen went against it and they cancelled surgery and want to wait for a second opinion. This scares me to death. What if something happens.

Ok not sure of that but I know most of us come out with pacemaker wires so it's something they prepare for in surgery. Again I would suggest you write down all your questions and review them with the folks in the hospital. I had a roommate come in on the day I left and he passed out and went back to the Icu so I know it happens. Food for thought. He is at the hospital receiving great care. It's better they find all these issues there rather then when he gets home. I looked at my a fib bouts as a blessing in disguise. My thoughts and prayers are with your dad and your family. Hang in there it will get better. Take care, Drn

Hi Elie, this happened to me 6 weeks into recovery. I posted a journal about it. I was in the hospital two weeks and ended up not needing a defibrillator or pacemaker. Your dad is in the best place he can be- the hospital! I'm sure his docs will take good care of him!

Thank you everyone. Thank you so much Kenny for sharing your story. I wish this hadn't happen to either one of you but it helps knowing someone else has gone through the same thing. Everyones recovery is different, like you've said. His Doctors still haven't given us a reason as to why this happened. My dad was to get the defibrillator yesterday and that didn't happen his surgeon wants a second surgeon in 4 weeks so in the mean time he will have a defibrillator vest to wear at all times. KENNY did they suggest anything to you?