CARDIOVERSION PRIOR TO MAJOR SURGERY

Posted By  CCF Cadio MD-SGM on February 19, 1998 at 19:22:02:

In Reply to: CARDIOVERSION PRIOR TO MAJOR SURGERY posted by EDWARD BUDRECK on February 19, 1998 at 13:11:15:

: I HAD NITRAL HEART VALVE REPAIR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO.  I'M ON MEDICATION TO STAY IN SINUS RHYTYM.  I HAVE BEEN SCHDULED TO HAVE A KIDNEY REMOVED THIS COMMING TUESDAY   WENT INTO AFIB LAST SATURDAY.MY MEDS WERE INCREASED. WHEN I INFORMED THE HOSPITAL,THEY HAVE TOLD ME TO COME IN MONDAY FOR A CARDIOVERSION.  I QUESTION HAVING CARDIOVERSION THE DAY BEFORE MAJOR SURGERY WHEN THE OPERATING DAY CAN BE CHANGE TO GIVE MY MEDS A CHANCE TO LEVEL OFF AND FOR ME TO GET OVER THE TRAUMA OF THE CORDIOVERESION...YOR THOUGHTS?   ED

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

DEAR ED,
IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR PATIENTS WITH MITRAL VALVE DISEASE, EVEN AFTER VALVE REPAIR SURGERY, TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.  IT'S REASONABLE TO ATTEMPT ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION IF MEDICAL THERAPY HAS FAILED TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM.  THE TIMING OF THIS CARDIOVERSION WITH REGARDS TO THE ELECTIVE KIDNEY SURGERY IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CARDIOLOGIST AND UROLOGIST.  I DON'T PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY MEDICAL REASON WHY YOU COULD NOT HAVE THE CARDIOVERSION ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE THE SURGERY.  WITH PROPER SEDATING MEDICATION, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT FROM THE CARDIOVERSION.  ALSO, THE MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE FOR THE ARRHYTHMIA HAVE LIKELY REACHED "STEADY STATE", OR LEVELLED OFF IN THE BLOODSTREAM,  NOT REQUIRING FURTHER WAITING TIME.  
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT YOU COULD ASK TO POSTPONE THE SURGERY IF THE PROXIMITY OF THESE TWO PROCEDURES MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.