Re: Atrial flutter and the relationship if any to post-anesthesia, allergies?

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on February 17, 1999 at 17:22:28:

In Reply to: Atrial flutter and the relationship if any to post-anesthesia, allergies? posted by Roy on February 17, 1999 at 14:43:41:






I have had 3 events of atrial flutter over the past two years, two within
the past month.( I am 53 years old). Each of my episodes followed minor day
hospital surgery (6-8 weeks post surgery). Each time I returned to sinus
rhythm within 6 to 24 hours. Each event was preceded by eating and drinking.
(tea twice, beer once).My questions are as follows: What relationship if
any exists between atrial flutter and allergies? What relationship if any
exists between post anesthesia and atrial flutter?
Today, I had a thalium stress test and felt fine.  I am awaiting the
results.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter.





Dear Roy, thank you for your question.  Stress is known to cause rhythm disturbances of the heart and any kind of surgery can place undue stress upon your heart.  Likewise, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine can also precipitate rhythm disturbances so the tea and beer may have been related.  Anesthesia does stress the heart as well so that also could have been a precipitating factor.  I'm not sure why you ask about allergies so could you write back with a more specific question about what you think you may be allergic to and why you think an allergy may have caused the atrial flutter?  The encouraging thing is that the atrial flutter quickly resolved and sinus rhythm was restored.  If you have had no atrial flutter in between and after your surgeries, then you should do fine.  However, you need to check with your own physician for an accurate prognosis.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.