still hospitalized, help

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danilynn

My husband had avr on Nov 5, and is still in the hospital. His heart
keeps flippinig into afib, and yesterday he had an abcessed tooth pulled, not a good thing to have happen. Has anyone else experienced some of these difficulties. Feel like I'm coming apart. Besides, I've never been on a message board, or whatever it's called.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

Can you give us a complete rundown on what all has taken place thus far? Did he get a mechanical or tissue valve? Seems to me that tooth should've been taken care of before surgery ever took place. Was this an emergency surgery? The more information you can provide, the better we'll be able to answer the questions.
Afib isn't all that uncommon after surgery, but usually it corrects itself in time. Sometimes it doesn't and the person needs medicated and/or converted. We can hope this won't be the case with your husband, but only time will tell.

Just about all of us have been there and done that so to speak, so your amongst friends here.
 
Hi danilynn-

Welcome to the site.

As Ross has mentioned, afib isn't all that uncommon after heart surgery. The heart is irritated and swollen from the surgery and that can interfere with the natural electrical pathways of the heart. Once the swelling and irritation get better, the afib usually does too.

The abcessed tooth is a whole other problem. I would bet the doctors want to keep your husband in the hospital to make sure he doesn't develop any kind of other infection which might progress to his heart valve. He's probably on a lot of antibiotics right now.

Please be comforted in the fact that he is in the best place for him right now. All of these issues will be addressed. He won't be released until it's safe for him to come home.

I'm sorry to hear that these things have happened, but his doctors will work very hard to make sure it all turns out OK.

Please give us the whole story. Everyone here understands what this is all about. And there are many people like yourself with loved ones who've been through many different experiences, and many, many patients who will give you wonderful advice.

We're here to help you through this stressful time.

Take care and God Bless.
 
Welcome, Danilynn You have come to a good place to talk with people who are/have been right where you are. As the others said a-fib is common after this surgery.

My brother had a-fib, but not heart surgery. They did a cardioversion, which is a shock for the heart to get it back into the proper rhythm. It worked for him, tho sometimes it doesn't. I am sure your doctors are keeping tabs on hubby and I rather suspect that the tooth is somehow involved and care is being taken. Have you talked directly with the doctors to see just what the situation is? You or someone needs to do this - not your husband alone because he is on meds and might not get it all correctly. Write down stuff so you can post here and ask questions. Somebody (many) will know what you are talking about and can give you some really good answers.

Right now you need support and you will get it right here, Dear. Come on back. God bless
 
more details

more details

Ok, first thanks for the encouraging words on afib. As for the
tooth, yes it was an emergency situation. His replacement is a
tissue valve. When the tooth problelm arose, I had to insist on
the nurse immediately calling the doctor, and have spoken to him
about that, and he admitted it shouldn't have been necessary. He
also admitted that maybe the person who took the history wasn't as thorough as he should have been.
Also, his lungs are a factor, as he has some emphysema. He can't seem to walk for any length of time. I don't know whether this is because of the heart rhythm or the lungs. His o2 is in mid 90s.
He is getting stronger daily, but I guess the threat of the infection is my worst concern. Thanks again for being there.:)
 
danilynn I have lung problems also, which netted me some significant time on the ventilator on my AVR. My whole surgery turned nightmare. The surgeon cut some blebs (Dead blistery tissue) off of my lung, took a cyst off of my heart, put the valve in and thought it was over. My lung collapsed, I got a Staph infection from the darn I.V. line and everything went down real fast. They called my wife in because they didn't think I was going to make it when my temperature hit 106F. I was put on Vancomycin for 6 weeks along with an array of other antibiotics by an infectious disease specialist. If the guy hadn't been there, I'm sure I wouldn't be either. In spite of all the problems, here I am typing this to you. I spent 50 days in CSICU and another 10 in Rehab. Oh yeah, my afib started in Rehab! It lasted for 2 days and then straightened out. My point--No matter how bad it looks, it's possible for recovery! Hang in there. I know it's tough and it's even tougher for him, but he should be fine soon.

You say his sats are in the mid 90's? Is he still on the vent or is this just on oxygen? Don't get overly concerned just yet. Once he starts using his muscles and gets active, the heart will start doing what its supposed to do and the O2 sats should start climbing and maintaining during exercise. With the Emphysema, perhaps not. I now sit at 92% while not active and it falls like a rock down to 82% and lower with walking. I'm on Oxygen 24/7 now.

Keep talking to us, like I said, we've been there and we can offer support to you and to him. Let me know if I can do anything.

Ross
 
Hi danilynn-

I'm with Ross on everything he's said. Like Ross, my husband also has lung problems, a little bit different, but very serious also, he has pulmonary hypertension, and has had 2 lung surgeries and has had his share of near death experiences. Heart surgery is always more complicated when pulmonary problems are there.

My husband has survived many, many terrible things. The human spirit is very strong, and so is the will to live. The docs will get your husband straightened out and he'll be home with you and you can take care of him with kid gloves.

You and your husband must NEVER GIVE IN AND NEVER GIVE UP.

Right now, you have to be his biggest cheerleader. Put on your brightest smile, your most colorful clothes, pick up the morning paper for him tomorrow, get him a funny toy and tell him all will be OK.

Take care,
 
Hey

Hey

I just wanted to say welcome. I have been on the site for less than a week now and it has been wonderful everyone is so nice and supportive. Always a kind word of reassurance. Please keep us posted on your husband.

April
Pre-Surgury
Mitral and Aeortic valve - WPW
 
Sorry to hear you are going through so much. The road is not always easy. Rythym problems are not that uncommon. I have heard that A fib will zap your energy level, not to mention the surgery. I'm glad you are there being an advocate for him. Tell him to "hang in there" You are both in my thoughts.

Heather
 

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