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Bob M.
Fall of 2005 my heart rate was in low 70?s; this had been my normal heart rate for years. In December 2005 I experienced atrial fibrillation and was hospitalized and placed on digitek 0.25 mg once a day and sotalol 80 mg twice a day and warfarin. My heart after my discharge was in the 50?s and 60?s (mostly 50?s).
On May 8, 2006 I underwent surgery for aortic valve replacement, ascending aortic repair, and the MAZE procedure. While I was in the hospital I again experienced atrial fibrillation and was placed on IV amiodarone (loading dose), then after that on amiodarone 200 mg. twice a day. I also was still on the digitek 0.125 mg once a day, coreg (3.125 mg twice a day) and lasix (for fluid around the lungs. I was discharged after 12 days and my heart rate for the next two weeks was in the upper 80?s to lower 90?s. I was only on the amiodarone 200 mg. once a day, digitek 0.125 mg. once a day. The coreg was discontinued. Then I was hospitalized again for pleural effusion, which was drained. I was then placed on a tapering dose of prednisone and continued with the other meds. After discharge my heart rate was in the upper 80?s to mid 90?s.
On June 30 was diagnosed with the beginning of pneumonia and placed on levaquin 750 mg. for 7 days. Since then my heart rate has increased to the upper 90?s and the low 100?s.
Has anyone else experienced such an increase in heart rate and what could be causing it? I plan to see my cardiologist after July 4. We are also concerned that the pneumonia could be a side effect of the amiodarone (which we have heard occurs sometimes and can lead to more serious lung complications).
Bob M.
On May 8, 2006 I underwent surgery for aortic valve replacement, ascending aortic repair, and the MAZE procedure. While I was in the hospital I again experienced atrial fibrillation and was placed on IV amiodarone (loading dose), then after that on amiodarone 200 mg. twice a day. I also was still on the digitek 0.125 mg once a day, coreg (3.125 mg twice a day) and lasix (for fluid around the lungs. I was discharged after 12 days and my heart rate for the next two weeks was in the upper 80?s to lower 90?s. I was only on the amiodarone 200 mg. once a day, digitek 0.125 mg. once a day. The coreg was discontinued. Then I was hospitalized again for pleural effusion, which was drained. I was then placed on a tapering dose of prednisone and continued with the other meds. After discharge my heart rate was in the upper 80?s to mid 90?s.
On June 30 was diagnosed with the beginning of pneumonia and placed on levaquin 750 mg. for 7 days. Since then my heart rate has increased to the upper 90?s and the low 100?s.
Has anyone else experienced such an increase in heart rate and what could be causing it? I plan to see my cardiologist after July 4. We are also concerned that the pneumonia could be a side effect of the amiodarone (which we have heard occurs sometimes and can lead to more serious lung complications).
Bob M.
