Ways To Effectively Manage Atrial Fibrillation Post Heart Surgery

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm occurring in 20-60 percent of patients post cardiac surgery, putting them at an increased risk for blood clots, stroke and congestive heart failure (CHF). The reason behind this heartbeat irregularity can be attributed to an electrical problem in the upper chambers of the ticker (atria).

It’s fairly common to have AF or irregular heart rate after an open heart surgery in which the chest of the patient is opened to carry out the surgery with the most common types of open heart surgeries being

1.      Coronary bypass surgery, also called CABG

2.      Aortic valve replacement

3.      Mitral valve repair

AF, without a doubt, is a common complication after heart surgery, backed by the American Heart Association.

Risk Factors:

Some risk factors that put an individual at a risk of AF post cardiac surgery include

1.      Being overweight

2.      Increasing age

3.      Presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD

4.      High blood pressure

5.      Heart failure

6.      An imbalance in the electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium and other minerals) post surgery

7.      Surgery on a cardiac valve

8.      Preexisting thyroid problems

AF mainly develops in a span of seven days post open heart surgery, but may as well develop in 90 days’ time. Sometimes it develops just after the operation, lasting for a couple of hours (or a day) before going away. For patients with AF risk factors, doctors are likely to prescribe medications or carry out a procedure in advance or during open heart surgery in their bid to lessen the risk of afib post surgery. The important thing is to help a patient restore a normal heart rhythm and rate, even if that means taking medication over time.

Treatment:

If AF occurs after surgery, the first step for doctors is to rule out any other cause for the irregular heartbeat, such as a potential infection. This is then followed by the most appropriate treatment from the series of treatments available for AF after open heart surgery. Common treatments include blood thinners, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers (to control heart rate), anti-rhythmic drugs, cardioversion, and a cardiac ablation procedure.

In the majority of patients, one or more of these treatments will help them get rid of an abnormal rhythm.

Here are some tips patients must follow before and after open heart surgery to decrease the likelihood of AF to occur:

1.      Quit smoking

2.      Keep your weight in a healthy range

3.      Your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar before surgery should be at healthy levels.

4.      Strictly follow your doctor’s instructions about AF

5.      Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor

6.      Walk around after the operation is over, of course when you are able to do so, for better blood flow and to lessen your risk for blood clots.

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