Pvc

[Juan P. Negret]

Hello everybody,

Immediately after my surgery five weeks ago, I developed some bradycardia and arrhythmia because of the extensive job on the surrounding tissue.

*QUESTION: Did anybody else have similar problems?

This problem was managed before I left the hospital, eight days after surgery, without arrhythmia symptoms.

Three and a half weeks after surgery, one day I decided to increase the pace of my daily walks. I was eager to get back to “normal” as soon as possible. Before surgery I walked 5 to 6 hours a week at a fast pace. Perhaps it was a mistake. That evening I felt bradycardia for a couple of minutes (pulse down to 50/min) followed by a tachycardia (up to 150/min) that was stopped at the hospital after five hours.

*QUESTION: They said that this still was a consequence of the surgery, but I wander If my fast walking that day triggered this. Any thoughts?

I went back home with an anti-arrythmic medication ( Propafenone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propafenone ). Afterwards, I went back to my slow walks, but one week after my bradycardia episode, I felt a strong PVC (premature ventricular contraction: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_ventricular_contraction ) episode, when I felt briefs pauses in my heart beats, followed by 3 or 5 or 10 regular beats. I understand that PVCs are common and harmless in healthy individuals. Before surgery I was not paying any attention to my heart beats, so, if I had PVCs, they were low in intensity.

*QUESTION: How common are PVCs after valve surgery? Do they go away?

My cardiologist said that my PVCs were trigger by anxiety, and he prescribed a very mild dosage of Buspirone (for anxiety: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buspirone ), that is, 2.5 mg twice daily. The usual dose is 15 mg a day.

*QUESTION: How commonly are anti-anxiety medications prescribed post-op?

Thank you for your comments,

Juan

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Several types of Arrhythmias (PAC, PVC, A-Fib) are quite common following surgery. They may come and go for several weeks.

Common Triggers are Caffeine (Coffee, Cola Drinks, Chocolate, Tea, etc.), Stress, Nicotine and 'other drugs'. Exercise is another possible trigger, often AFTER cooling down from the exercise.

There are several types of Beta Blockers that can help control and/or prevent different types of arrhythmias. Your cardiologist can help you find what works for you.

 

[tobagotwo]

PACs and PVCs are very common after OHS, as are temporary episodes of blood pressure anomalies.

- Your heart is healing, including the secondary surface nerve paths that have been interrupted in the heart muscle.

- The pressure dynamics of your heart have changed greatly. Your body's chemical message system (e.g. from the kidneys for blood pressure) and electrical system have to adapt to new rhythms.

- Generally, at least your left ventricle has been enlarged for some time and is slowly remodelling, shrinking back to its original size. This takes some months. During that time, the flow of electrical impulses to generate a smooth contraction is constantly changing. While that's happening, some arrhythmic misadventures are likely to occur form time to time, especially if you are tired or have had caffeine.


Best wishes,

 

[Eva]

I only knew I had pvcs during rehab!! I experienced them everytime I speeded up on the exercise equipments, and thus the nurses slowed me down and increased my pace and speed a little bit at a time giving my heart a chance to remodel itself at an easy pace.

I would take it slowly and surely...the heart has gone through a lot and needs a long time to heal itself.

Good luck

 

[Smiley2000]

Hi there. PVC's and PAC's are harmless but VERY annoying. We can relate to that. Unfortunately for some of us it never goes away. I started getting these "heart hiccups" 2 years pre-op and I still have them. I see you had a MV repair - like me - we are so blessed not to hear the "tick" every time it misses or adds a beat.

Something to be glad about

 

[COLLEEN S]

Juan, I had A-Fib for one morning during post op and it went away.

 

[tcopel]

To amplify what has already been noted, it is fairly common for PVC, PACs to be develop after surgery. I wonder why your physician prescribed buspar as these palpitations are not always anxiety induced. Certianly, I have had very frequent PVC's that occur even in my most relaxed moments (bud light induced coma). I agree with Al that stimulants such as caffiene, lack of rest and stress seem to aggravate my PVC frequency. Beta blockers can help with the frequency of the PVC's if you they are problematic.