mitral valve replacement - post-surgical arrhythmias

Posted By Kathryn Mann on January 25, 1998 at 15:49:58:









My cousin, who is in her late 40's, has had an emergency mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis caused by rheumatic fever.  She is 9 days post-surgery and has persistent arrhythmias (prob. atrial fibrillation), including the most recent episode (yesterday) which required defibrillation.  She also is having problems with electrolytic imbalances.  She is expecting to be discharged to home today.  She complains of extreme fatigue and is convinced she will not survive.  Are her concerns - and ours - legitimate?  Is this an unusual effect of value replacement?  Thank you for any advice you can provide.