Re: Three weeks post-op and high heart rhythm

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Posted by Henry Alken on June 11, 2002 at 15:32:22:

In Reply to: Re: Three weeks post-op and high heart rhythm posted by Woodland Anne on June 11, 2002 at 13:25:37:

Hi Anne,
In answer to your questions, I should say that there are many others on this maze board who know much more than I do, such as Jack, Carl, Steve and others, so I hope they will help me out with this one.

I had an ablation in June of last year. There is no major surgery involved. A small cut is made in the groin and a special wire is threaded up through the veins and into the heart. By means of monitoring equipment, they can use the tip of this wire to burn the heart muscle at certain small locations. This will stop the cells from generating the electrical signals that are causing the problem. It is a painless procedure and takes a few hours followed by an overnight stay.

Unfortunately, my first ablation converted the flutter into afib and so I went on to have the maze surgery. I came out of the maze surgery with flutter again, so in a way, I am back to where I started.

I have been on Rythmol for one year. I find it to be easy to take and tolerate. I have never heard of anything bad about it, but maybe others have.

Amiodarone can cause damage to the Thyroid, and to the Lungs and to the Eyes. My opthalmologist has several patients on Amiodarone. He says it turns the eyes brown and affects the retina. Apart from that, it is great stuff. Cardiologists like it because it is very powerful in stopping Afib. It takes (I believe) six months to leave your system after halting it. I also understand that the patient requires regular testing of the functions I mentioned before while it is being taken, so that if damage is detected, the drug can be stopped immediately.

In regard to "P" waves, I do not have "P" waves. I am hoping that Friday's ablation will restore them. I have been waiting 8 months since the maze for the "P" waves to show, but they have not. I believe that some patients may have to wait up to 3 months for the "P" waves to show.

You went to an excellent hospital for your surgery and I am sure that as time goes by and your heart heals, that you will achieve a solid NSR.

My best wishes to you,
Henry

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