I had mitral valve surgery on April 5th. They could not repair the valve so they replaced
it with a porcine valve. Went into A fib about a week after discharge ...Read more
I had mitral valve surgery on April 5th. They could not repair the valve so they replaced
it with a porcine valve. Went into A fib about a week after discharge from the hospital. They did a cardioversion which only lasted a week and I was back in the hospital. I was
also bleeding internally and after a blood transfusion was placed on coumadin and flecanide. 4 months later and I still have a sinus rhythm heart rate but it is now in the
70 to 85 bpm range when before surgery it was primarily in the 50 bpm range. My blood pressure is now consistently low sometimes getting down to 85 over 55.
What is the usual timeframe before I no longer have to take the A fix drugs and has anyone else experienced low blood pressure and higher heart rate this long after surgery? Thanks in advance for the help.
Anna Jones Hi Paul, I'm sorry you are going through this. I don't have answers for the A-fib, but many of us a ... Read more
Nancy Surprenant Takahashi Hi Paul, I went into afib about a week after I came home from MV repair, I also had the maze procedure with my OHS, they did not want to cardio convert me, they said the heart was still inflamed and "ticked off from surgery" I was in afib about 4 months. I was converted around the 4 month period and now I'm in normal rhythm, right now they are not sure if I will stay in rhythm, if not, they are suggesting an ablation. I do not experience low blood pressure but when I was in afib my heart rate was about 180 - 200 without meds, I was on metropol and it lowered it to 120 and I was on a high dose so they did not want to increase the dose, it was like that for about 4 months. I would say "yes" I was still experiencing some issues this far out, my surgery was 4/10 and I'm just now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Doc said to me, "you had a big surgery, you need time". Hope you feel better soon.
Janet Skinner Hi Paul. I had mitral valve surgery coming up one year ago August 18th. I have a very enlarged left a ... Read more
Janet Skinner Hi Paul. I had mitral valve surgery coming up one year ago August 18th. I have a very enlarged left atrium (history of rheumatic fever) and prior to my surgery, I had two episodes of severe AFib which were corrected with immediate cardioversion. The first day post OHS, my heart went in to AFIB and I experienced various abnormal rhythms for 4 1/2 months. One type resulted in a pacemaker being inserted 4 weeks post OHS. I was converted prior to the pacemaker surgery but didn't stay in sinus rhythm. My doctors tried several medications and nothing worked. Finally, I was put on a larger dose of Amiodarone in mid-December and two weeks later, had a cardioversion. I've been in sinus rhythm since then and feel SO much better! I haven't felt this well in years :-)
I saw my cardiologist last week and he is very pleased with my progress. My heart rate, like yours, is higher now with resting rate around 72: It was 48 - 70 before surgery. My BP now is around 100/72, where as pre surgery, it averaged 90/50.
I haven't been concerned about the higher heart rate because it's an average reading. I think of my current numbers as my 'new normal'.
Bottom line, I feel fabulous and you'll get there too!
Cheers.
Paul Lumbrezer Janet, Thank you so much for sharing your story with me it gives me hope.
Kirk Bepler Hey Paul, I also had the tissue valve as the surgeon could not repair my mitral valve. I also went in ... Read more
Kirk Bepler Hey Paul, I also had the tissue valve as the surgeon could not repair my mitral valve. I also went into AFib about a week after being discharged from the hospital and end up back in for 2 1/2 days, I actually had to be shocked to get the rhythm back. I was put on Amiodarone (6) pills a day that was back in mid May, still taking them but have kept dropping the dose from 6 to 4 to 2 to 1 tonow 1/2 a pill per day as the doctor wants to get me off of them. I should be able to quit taking them in the next week. so it is going to be about 2 1/2 months of taking the meds.
I do have to say I did not experience the high or low BP while I was taking them, but again everyone is different on their experiences and road to recovery. It will get better as time goes by...
I saw my cardiologist last week and he is very pleased with my progress. My heart rate, like yours, is higher now with resting rate around 72: It was 48 - 70 before surgery. My BP now is around 100/72, where as pre surgery, it averaged 90/50.
I haven't been concerned about the higher heart rate because it's an average reading. I think of my current numbers as my 'new normal'.
Bottom line, I feel fabulous and you'll get there too!
Cheers.
I do have to say I did not experience the high or low BP while I was taking them, but again everyone is different on their experiences and road to recovery. It will get better as time goes by...