ASD surgery post op ...

[BrightBlueMoon]

Hi...

I had ASD surgery in 2001.  My HR has been steadily declining since.  Wore a holter monitor for 24 hrs last week.  Findings include: heart palps from the bottom of my heart. He says thats ok.
Is it normal to damage the SA node during this type of surgery?  DR says that the SA node was damaged during the surgery.  My HR is normally 43 and dips into the 30s when sleeping.  I know a pacemaker is in my future...this scares me greatly. I have been taking .5mg lorazepam to sleep because I can't seem to wrap my head around this...

Please help ...

[Joao1305]

A related discussion, EPs for chronic/persistent Afib was started.

[Jewls82]

A related discussion, ASD was started.

[angiebugg]

I had an ASD repair when i was 16 in 1991. Ihave been on dozens of heart meds since. Ive been in and out of the hospital for atrial flutter, tachicardia, bradycardia, palpitations, and so on. I have had every test done there is. Finally at the age of 33 i had radio ablation done.  This has helped alot but i still have eptopic beats and some flutters. You need to see a electrophsiologist and they can do something for you. I was also told i would need a pacemaker in the future....but so far so good and im off all heart meds! I feel for you and know exactly what your going through! God bless and hope you get some help for this. Angela

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

If a right atrial incision is made, it can affect sinus node function.  This is a common approach.  Honestly if you had a surgery to repair an ASD, a pacemaker is much simpler to do and has lower risks.

You are probably right about the pacemaker being in your future.