A-fib after open heart surgery

[Comptons]

My dad (58) had an episode of a-fib back in Dec which brought him to ER. They tried several meds and finally got his heart rate down after a night in ICU. As a follow-up, his doc decided to do heart cath. To our surprise - he needed quadruple bypass which he had in about 3 wks ago. After the surger, he went into A-fib (which docs say is not uncommon after this surgery). He did not respond to meds and they finally shocked him while in ICU. After we got home, about a week later it started again. He has now been back in the hospital for 5 days and they cannot seem to get it under control. He is also a diabetic and has had high blood pressure most of his adult life. He went back into normal sinus rhythm early this morning after taking a very high dose of amiodarone. I'm very nervous that this will continue to be a problem for him. We also do not have much confidence in this group of docs (which is the best in our area). Any advice, suggestions, similar situations...?

[babag]

Originally Posted by Comptons

My dad (58) had an episode of a-fib back in Dec which brought him to ER. They tried several meds and finally got his heart rate down after a night in ICU. As a follow-up, his doc decided to do heart cath. To our surprise - he needed quadruple bypass which he had in about 3 wks ago. After the surger, he went into A-fib (which docs say is not uncommon after this surgery). He did not respond to meds and they finally shocked him while in ICU. After we got home, about a week later it started again. He has now been back in the hospital for 5 days and they cannot seem to get it under control. He is also a diabetic and has had high blood pressure most of his adult life. He went back into normal sinus rhythm early this morning after taking a very high dose of amiodarone. I'm very nervous that this will continue to be a problem for him. We also do not have much confidence in this group of docs (which is the best in our area). Any advice, suggestions, similar situations...?

look up arrthymia speicality drs. close to your home. perhaps he had atrial fib. before and didn't notice. i don't think it is realy life threatning since i am 64 and still alive with it. first noticed when i was 40. isn't it strange he really noticed it after surgery? i have hand odd symptoms after my ablation surgery for a fib that i didn't have before. don't know how fast your father's heartbeat gets up to to go to er but mine only got up there once to put me there. usually it didn't last very long anyway.

[Comptons]

Thanks for your reply. He has now been out of a-fib for over 24 hours. He may get to go home tomorrow. Exactly 1 week later. My prayers are with him and anyone dealing with such serious health issues.

[babag]

Originally Posted by Comptons

Thanks for your reply. He has now been out of a-fib for over 24 hours. He may get to go home tomorrow. Exactly 1 week later. My prayers are with him and anyone dealing with such serious health issues.

sounds like he is coming together once again. my husband was 54 and had quad bypass. came thru with flying colors. no post depression and his legs never bothered him. they never swelled. perhaps that's because they took sections of veins out of both legs and never did open them totally. it's been 3 yrs and i think you will also have a sucess story. they sure do alot of them. i go into u of m in march for my second heart ablation for a-fib and now for a-flutter. i hope no more fib or flutter anymore. you need to calm anyone that has this. most always it is not life threatning. good luch.

[babag]

my 2nd ablation for atrial flutter on 3/3/05. on 3/20/05 an atrial flutter still shows in my ekg. another one? same one? my chances are only 20-30% that it will disappear per my electro. cardiologist. another ablation? 200 mg toprol, wow!