Fast Heartbeat Post MV Repair

Posted by Shannon on August 03, 1999 at 11:22:29
Hi -- I'm trying to understand why, at 12 weeks post op from MV and PFO repair, my heart rate went from a normal speed of about 75 to a constant rate of about 110.  Also started having short tachycardias lasting 2 minutes at 180-200 BPM (which I hadn't had since last January, 2 months pre op).  There is some question as to whether the hardware (Duran ring and patch on PFO) could have shifted in some way, and I'm scheduled for a TEE to check this on Thursday.
My doc is trying me on medications to lower the rate, but my blood pressure started out low, and now is the 90/55 range much of the time from either calcium channel or beta blockers (we're trying different regiments of medication). So of course I'm dizzy a lot of the time.  If I understand it correctly, my cardiologist thinks that medications may keep the rate more normal and effectively "reset" my heart rate so that I can come off medications in a few months.
I just don't understand what could cause my HR to jump up to over 100 at 12 weeks post op, when I was pretty much healed and on my way back to real life.  It's really quite upsetting and no one seems to be able to give me any reasons why it has happened.  Can you help me with this?
Thanks very much --
Shannon

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on August 03, 1999 at 13:44:10
I kind of doubt it is from the surgery. There are many causes of tachycardia  (fast heart beat) and they can be divided roughly into sinus (originating from the sinus node or heart