4 mos post surgery-problem

[Mb]

Hello everyone!

My husband had two St. Jude valves implanted 5-1/2 years ago. On February 14th of this year, he had to have a tricuspid annuloplasty done, for severe leakage and right sided heart failure. He did have a few complications, which were resolved completely within about 4-5 weeks. He has been doing very very well. In fact, he has had more stamina/energy than he has had for many many years.

That being said, this past Sunday, he had a long period of dizziness. I chalked it up to medication, as it was about2-3 hours after taking his medications, which include atenelol.

Yesterday morning, he had another episode. Heart rate of mid 40-s, blood pressure was 70/48. I can't believe he didn't pass out.

Prior to the annuloplasty, he had rythm issues. He has been in chronic a-fib for about 6 years, and then developed low heart rate, heart rate pauses of 3 seconds, very fast heart rate, increased PVC's, etc. Post surgery, on the monitor, once his heart settled down, all of these improved (except for the a-fib of course).

He has been on this beta blocker for many, many years. So, I guess it could be that, but I am concerned it could be something else, and that he is headed back to having a pacemaker implanted.

Any comments/suggestions? We are seeing his cardio on Monday.

Marybeth

 

[Mary]

Hello everyone!

My husband had two St. Jude valves implanted 5-1/2 years ago. On February 14th of this year, he had to have a tricuspid annuloplasty done, for severe leakage and right sided heart failure. He did have a few complications, which were resolved completely within about 4-5 weeks. He has been doing very very well. In fact, he has had more stamina/energy than he has had for many many years.

That being said, this past Sunday, he had a long period of dizziness. I chalked it up to medication, as it was about2-3 hours after taking his medications, which include atenelol.

Yesterday morning, he had another episode. Heart rate of mid 40-s, blood pressure was 70/48. I can't believe he didn't pass out.

Prior to the annuloplasty, he had rythm issues. He has been in chronic a-fib for about 6 years, and then developed low heart rate, heart rate pauses of 3 seconds, very fast heart rate, increased PVC's, etc. Post surgery, on the monitor, once his heart settled down, all of these improved (except for the a-fib of course).

He has been on this beta blocker for many, many years. So, I guess it could be that, but I am concerned it could be something else, and that he is headed back to having a pacemaker implanted.

Any comments/suggestions? We are seeing his cardio on Monday.

Marybeth

I'm sorry to hear this Marybeth.
It seems that it would almost have to be related to the medications or a need to pace the heart. We visited with an aunt last week who suffered similar symptoms after undergoing a pacemaker check (via telephone). I know that her experience is not related to Wayne's situation, but I want to recount what happened to her while they waited to take her back to the hospital. She too suffered a fainting episode, after being dizzy, fell, her leg hit a glass-fronted curio cabinet, crashed through it, and broke her leg at the top of the thigh. She then suffered a mild heart attack from the stress! It was so unbelievable, I really didn't believe it until she told me the story herself!
My point is, although I know you always watch what's going on, if he's having these type of symptoms, please be extra cautious until he sees the cardiologist.
And please let us know what you find out.

 

[bvdr]

Marybeth, so sorry your husband is having problems. Something sure isn't right and needs to be corrected because it isn't safe to have that type of incident. Reading Mary's recount of her aunt's episode reminds me of that TV commercial where one thing leads to another and then to another.

Has your husband worn a holter monitor or an event monitor recently? Has he had any problems in the past with low potassium or other electrolyte imbalance? Hopefully you soon will have some answers and it is something correctable or at least treatable. It sounds like an arrhythmia. If it happened just once you might write it off but since it happened again it needs to be investigated.