Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

[Linda S]

I had my myectomy on July 23, 2003 in Cleveland. Four weeks later, on August 18, I went to the emergency room here in Phila because of palpatations and a heart rate of almost 200 - I was admitted for a few days with atrial fibulation. They got me regulated with IV drugs but admitted me and watched me for a few days. Since then, I have had 4 episodes (not anywhere near as bad as the atrial fibulation symptoms) of irregular heartbeats which lasted an hour or two. I called my local cardialogist, and the on-call doctor of the arrythmia specialist who treated my in the hospital here, and they told me this is very common after any heart surgery and that it is most likely temporary and will subside. I would like to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Linda S

[LynnS]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Hi Linda,

I experienced in the hospital right after surgery brief episodes of afib and heart palpitations (I had my myectomy at Cleveland Clinic Aug 2002). It was my understanding that the electrical disturbances to the heart, not to mention the overall “trauma” from surgery to the heart, could cause some temporary issues.

I was wondering if when you were admitted locally to the hospital did your doctors contact Cleveland to update your doctor there? Your local docs may well be correct that it's temporary from surgery however, I do know that your Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist would want to know about your experiences as soon as possible.** You're not that far out of surgery and it is good to keep an open line of communication with him so that he is kept 'in the loop' and can work with you and your local doc should you need medication adjustment.

Keep in touch and let us know what CCF has to say about things.

**I speak from experience here with regards to keeping an open line of communication immediately following surgery. Please contact your CCF doc so that everyone is aware of your current experiences!

Here's to your continued recovery!! All the best!
Lynn

[Linda]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Linda, As Lynn says, keep the CCF docs in the loop. They will want to know about this. Keep us posted, best wishes. Linda

[Linda S]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Lynn, Thank you for your reply. Should I contact the surgeon, Dr. Lytle or the cardiologist, Dr. Garcia in Cleveland? Should I just call, or get copies of my hospital records? I will definitely keep them updated if you say I should. You said you experienced episodes like mine when you were 'in' the hospital If so, did they just stop evenutally. I see my local cardiologist this Wed. for my six week check up.
Thanks,

[Linda S]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Lynn, my whole message didn't come up right in my last reply. Did you also get the palpatations and irregular heart beat when you got home? If so, when did it stop? Let me know who I should keep updated - the surgeon or the cardiologist? Thanks so much.
Also, Linda, thank you also for your reply.

[LynnS]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Hi Linda!

You will want to get a hold of your cardiologist in Cleveland, Dr. Garcia. (BTW - He's seems to be a very nice doctor, I met with him a couple of times while I was in the hospital post-myectomy.)

My suggestions would be:
- First, that you contact Dr. Garcia as soon as possible (prior to your Wed. local doc appt.) with the details regarding your stay in the local hospital and any current episodes you are having.

- Secondly, ask him if he agrees with the local hospital/docs consesus that it is all just due to post-surgery and if so, how long you could reasonably expect it to last.

- Thirdly, indicate when you are due to your local cardiologist and ask if the two cardiologists need to be in contact regarding the appt. and follow-up care.

- Finally, ask if he will want copies of your stay/experience locally and if he needs you to do anything to facilitate the copies of the records being sent to CCF.

I know that sounds like a lot to do but one phone call should do the trick!

As for my palpitations and short runs of afib - I admit that the afib was really only immediately following surgery while still in the hospital. I continued to have palpitations (PVCs) post-surgery but they did decrease over the initial recovery time of 6-8 weeks. I do still have them just thanks to the disease itself but they became less bothersome over time as the heart muscle itself healed.

Please let me know if I missed any of your questions, I hope this is helpful to you!

All the best,
Lynn

[Linda S]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Hi, Lynn, Thanks so much for your reply. I was a little disappointed in Dr. Garcia. They appointed him to my care - I met with him the day before my surgery and I thought he was great. The problem is that he never came to see m during my whole hospital stay. I saw a Dr. Thalmalian (?) from his team my whole stay. So I don't feel any connection to Dr. Garcia. I met with the surgeon, Dr. Lytle and I really liked him and would respect his opinion as to my treatment. I will call both of them tomorrow though. Like you said about your PVC's lasting the 6-8 weeks - my surgery will be 6 weeks this coming Wed. I keep hoping the PVC's will stop. Thanks so much for your input. I will take your advice and make phone calls tomorrow morning before my Wed. appointment with my local cardiologist. I'll let you know how things go.

Linda S.

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

In speaking to many people post procedure I can say it is rather common to have these symptoms. It seems that between 6 and 8 weeks appear to be the time when the majority of these symptoms resolve.

Re talking to the CCF Docs... YES keep them in the loop at all times.

Linda S. I took your phone # off your last post - If you want to send it via a PM to Lynn or anyone else, Please do. For your own security I do not think it is a good idea to post your # on the board.

Best wishes,
Lisa

[Linda S]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Hi, Lisa, Hope you are doing well. Thanks for your email. I did speak to both Dr. Lytle's nurse and Dr. Garcia personally today and let them know what I have been experiencing and asked for their opinions. I see my local cardiologist tomorrow. Other than these irregular heartbeat episodes, I feel great, and can't wait until they stop.

(Thank you for taking my phone no. off. I didn't realize that anyone looking on the website could have my number. )

Just a note: I was so impressed with Dr. Bruce Lytle at the Cleveland Clinic when he explained the condition and surgery to me and my sisters before my surgery, I would suggest that when you are looking for doctors for the annual meeting, that you might want to consider asking him to speak.

[Linda S]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Lisa, Sorry that my reply to you went through so many times, but when I went to submit it, it kept saying there was a failure in submitting.

[Reenie]

Re: Is irregular heartbeat common after Myectomy?

Linda, don't worry about the multiple posts. I'll take care of it.

Reenie