Post-op Atrial Fibrillation

[rider76]

Two weeks post AVR and in rehab hospital. For the past week, I've had increasing edema in my legs, more shortness of breath and am not walking as far as I did six days post op.There is poor medical supervision from the resident doctor. I phoned my cardiologist and had friend drive me there today. She diagnosed post-op A-fib. She changed my medications, adding a blood thinner, increasing the Lasix and adding meds to keep my blood pressure up.

It's frightening to think that the A-fib was not caught here. It never occurred to me that - despite its high Medicare rating - this rehab does little more than "warehouse" its patients and do light PT.

Catherine

 

[epstns]

Not fun, is it? Also, afib is not uncommon immediately following aortic valve surgery. Hope yours can be resolved with meds until it decides to settle down.

I had some afib for the first month post-op. I was given warfarin and amioderone for a few months, but since my afib stopped at about 4 weeks out, I was able to discontinue these meds at month 3.

 

[ski girl]

So why are you at a rehab hospital? Sounds like you'd be just as well off at home, not to mention more comfortable in your own environment which will help you feel less like a sick person and get you recovering better too. Just my two cents worth.

I can echo what Steve said above, a-fib is VERY common post-op and the treatment for it is warfarin, which you're probably already taking. Some people remain in a-fib for years, so while it's not very comfortable, it really isn't anything to panic about.

 

[rider76]

So why are you at a rehab hospital? Sounds like you'd be just as well off at home, not to mention more comfortable in your own environment which will help you feel less like a sick person and get you recovering better too. Just my two cents worth.

I would much rather be home, but I live alone and both the surgeon and cardiologist felt I was safer in rehab. Now I'm not so certain. I'll give it another week and see if I feel safe enough to go home. My balance is improving, so I can hope.

Catherine

 

[ski girl]

I would much rather be home, but I live alone and both the surgeon and cardiologist felt I was safer in rehab. Now I'm not so certain.

Indeed . . . fingers crossed you get home soon!