Woke up this morning with AF

[Lanky Lad]

nearly 3 weeks post op and everything seemed to be going fine until I awoke this morning with a fluttery chest......turns out to be Atrial Fibullation.
After blood tests and an ECG I have now been put on Warfarin and have to got to the Anti Coag clinic tomorrow for further tests and another ECG.I really hope this a hiccup and short term as part of the reason for choosing a tissue over mechanical was because of the Warfarin.
Has anyone else had experience of this?.......was really worried in case the BE had come back but the blood count was normal.Hope this is just a 'bump' in the road and not a long term issue.

[ClickerTicker]

I went into AF about six weeks after my op. Was already on warfarin because I had a mechanical valve.
I imagine the reason you have been put on warfarin is because the main risk with AF is small clots being "shaken" off and causing a stroke.
They Cardioverted me (short-term anaesthetic, on with the paddles, zap) woke up with slightly reddened chest and no AF. Was then alright for a couple of years. Story is more complex since then...
One thing to avoid if at all possible is anyone suggesting you take a drug called Amiodarone. It's does stop AF, but is a complete sledgehammer approach. Side effects are potentially horrendous - like terminal lung failure etc.
Search on this forum for the many threads and warnings about Amiodarone.

[Lanky Lad]

One thing to avoid if at all possible is anyone suggesting you take a drug called Amiodarone. It's does stop AF, but is a complete sledgehammer approach. Side effects are potentially horrendous - like terminal lung failure etc.
Search on this forum for the many threads and warnings about Amiodarone.
Phew....was lucky there then....my GP had a script written up for those then the doctor at Manchester rang and recommended Warfarin instead....... :confused: feeling better already......lol

[catwoman]

Lanky Lad:

What "further" tests are they going to do at the Anti-Coag clinic? (I am assuming it's not additional PT/INR tests. It takes several days for warfarin to affect the INR.)

[Lanky Lad]

Lanky Lad:

What "further" tests are they going to do at the Anti-Coag clinic? (I am assuming it's not additional PT/INR tests. It takes several days for warfarin to affect the INR.)
Not really sure.....will know more after visiting tomorrow.I have been told this is not a rare occurance and can clear up on its own in a few days...think the warfarin for now is purely preventative as I was only on Aspirin before.

[Marty]

I went into a-flutter a week or so post op. Contolled with Toprol and no recurrence. I take Coumadin for mechanical valve. My wife who has MVP and hypertension went into a-fib a couple of years ago. She went on warfarin for six weeks and then had successful cardioversion. She was put on a strong anti-arrythmic called Betapace, warfarin discontinued, and has been in sinus rythym ever since. No side effects from the Betapace.

[bvdr]

Unfortunately, sometimes warfarin is required long term with a bio-prosthetic valve because of atrial fib. If that happens don't get too upset. It really isn't so bad to be on warfarin and you will soon get the hang of it. We have had this happen to some other members. For most it was temporary.

A-fib is really common in the early post-op period and may well clear up once the heart heals up thoroughly. Time will tell. There isn't much you can do but wait and see.

I'm glad everything else is going well for you though.

[Yaps]

My dad had a pigs mitral, he had to take coumadin as well for a-fibs. Im sorry ..sometimes it goes with the turf. It may make you feel a lot better in the long haul, wish you luck , :) love the pup

[Ross]

Afib sneaks up on a lot of us. I got me 6 weeks out for 3 day period, then stopped as suddenly as it started. Quite unsettling.

Not to drive the point home or cause a ruckus, but this is exactly the scenario that many of us have tried over and over again to explain to tissue receipients, who are going that route purely to avoid Coumadin. Afib is a big possibility and you'll be on Coumadin anyhow, so please don't choose tissue only to avoid Coumadin. It may well resolve on it's own, but there is the possiblity that it will be chronic. Not trying to drag you down, but it's a possibility.

If they started you on Coumadin today, they should not even think of testing you for at least 3 days from today. If they try to test your INR tomorrow, you need to go somewhere that understands how Coumadin works. It would be one big waste to test tomorrow. They should actually wait one week before testing you.

[ALCapshaw2]

YEP, A-Fib is fairly common in the early recovery period following OHS. I had a few spells several weeks out, each lasting about 3 hours before resolving back to normal sinus rhythm (with and without treatment :D ).

For prolonged cases, there are two approaches, but BOTH require the use of anti-coagulation for protection until you stabilize.

The first approach is to use a 'general' Beta Blocker such as Atenolol, Toprol, or Toprol XL (time release version), etc. to simply limit your maximum heart rate to 'acceptable' levels with anticoagulation protection.

The second approach for more persistent A-Fib is to use a beta blocker that specifically targets Atrial Fibrilation. The most common one is Beta Pace (generic form is Sotalol). This drug may take a few weeks to become fully effective so again, anticoagulation is needed, at least until you are no longer in danger of going into A-Fib.

Some cardiologists insist on using the "minimum theraputic dose" which may be moderately high and leave you feeling lethargic and slow. Others are more open to working with the patient to determine the minimum effective dose which will hopefully resolve the problem with minimal side effects. The latter approach may take a few weeks of 'experimenting', gradually reducing the dose (by half) for two weeks at a time. If / when symptoms recurr, go back to the previous dose. ONLY do this under a doctors care and NEVER go 'cold turkey' on a Beta Blocker as this can cause even more severe repercussions.

'AL Capshaw' (Been There, Done That, with all of the above)

[LLJ]

Yup, got A fib about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Had 2 episodes which sent me to the emergency room. My doc told me 30% of all OHS patients get A fib immediately following surgery and less than 10% continue to have it on a permanent basis. I was put on Toprol XL which did the trick along with my 325mg aspirin. It will hopefully only be a temporary thing!
Laura

[Lanky Lad]

Thank you for all the advice...but something strange happened last night.Was watching TV trying to ignore the party in my chest when I got an overwhelming urge to weep.Went into the kitchen and broke down and wept for at least 10 mins,after that sat down and my wife checked my pulse and wonder of wonders it was back in NSR.Called the doctor this morning and explained,I am not going to the Anti Coag clinic today just going for the ECG to make 100% sure everything is back to normal and then hopefully will be back on just the Aspirin again.What a wierd thing stress is and I for one will not hesitate to let it all out in future.Will keep you all posted as to how I go on and once again thank you for your advice and patience.God bless....:)

[Yaps]

Thank you for all the advice...but something strange happened last night.Was watching TV trying to ignore the party in my chest when I got an overwhelming urge to weep.Went into the kitchen and broke down and wept for at least 10 mins,after that sat down and my wife checked my pulse and wonder of wonders it was back in NSR.Called the doctor this morning and explained,I am not going to the Anti Coag clinic today just going for the ECG to make 100% sure everything is back to normal and then hopefully will be back on just the Aspirin again.What a wierd thing stress is and I for one will not hesitate to let it all out in future.Will keep you all posted as to how I go on and once again thank you for your advice and patience.God bless....:)
This is also expected..OHS is a huge event, and I dont wish to say depression follows. But I know things that would bring a tear to my eye(Old Yeller), would now set me into a crying jag.
I think it is normal, the bodies way to recuperate.Give yourself some time. If it continues too long or seems to be constant, you need to speak to your doctor. Ok? Love the pup

[PJmomrunner]

Now that's what I call having a good cry! Congrats to you. Here's hoping it sticks!

[Lanky Lad]

Just got back from the hospital and the ECG shows N(ormal) S(ervice) R(esumed)..hehe...and I now have a follow up appointment from Manchester next tuesday,so hopefully everything has calmed back down.If it happens again then at least I know what to expect and I won't get as wound up as before.Once again thanks to all the people who posted offering advice and good wishes.

[Ross]

See there, that wasn't something weird, that was backed up emotions with no wheres to go. You might find yourself doing that now and then, it's normal. Glad to hear it released whatever tension was holding onto your rhythm!

[geebee]

Glad all is well now. Here are a few tricks I learned back when I was in a-fib occasionally (they don't work now that I have chronic a-fib :mad: ):

Hold your breath while bearing down (but not so much that it makes you dizzy)

Run cold waters over your wrists.

Do a couple of very deep coughs.

These usually worked for me so I will hope they help you should you ever pop back into fib.

[bvdr]

Glad all is well now. Here are a few tricks I learned back when I was in a-fib occasionally (they don't work now that I have chronic a-fib :mad: ):

Hold your breath while bearing down (but not so much that it makes you dizzy)

Run cold waters over your wrists.

Do a couple of very deep coughs.

These usually worked for me so I will hope they help you should you ever pop back into fib.

I happened to be at my PCP's for a follow-up visit yesterday and he added another one to Geebee's list. .............put your hands on the side of your head with your fingers on top of your head and your thumbs over your closed eyes. Rotate your hands so that the pads of your thumbs are on your eyelids and apply gentle pressure. I had not heard of this before but I'll try it next time.

[geebee]

I forgot one that my doctor used once when I was in a-fib and at a visit. He pushed on the neck artery on the left side. This is one I have used also (had a senior moment and forgot) but you need to be careful because it can make you dizzy.

[bvdr]

I forgot one that my doctor used once when I was in a-fib and at a visit. He pushed on the neck artery on the left side. This is one I have used also (had a senior moment and forgot) but you need to be careful because it can make you dizzy.

That one is called carotid message. You press, hold a few seconds, and release. This is repeated several times. It can have repercussions such as the dizziness you mentioned as well as the heart rate dropping too low. It is usually not recommended to be done at home. I thought about mentioning it but now I don't have to think about it since you already did. :)