Not sure of your history, but I had one earlier this year and I thought for sure I would have some issues. Not so much during the prep, but when I was sedated. But that said, if the prep doesn't get you, you should be fine. It's not a pleasant experience during the prep but I believe leading up to it if you've been on your meds. and eaten properly etc. it should work out, but I'm certainly not an authority on this subject. No doubt others will dial in here. Good luck and all the best. - Thomas ;)

The only thing I can think of is to switch places with the doctor.

Seriously, read this:

"Conclusion.

Though propofol can induce various types of arrhythmias, some of which are severe, the incidence of arrhythmia is relatively rare at clinically relevant concentrations of propofol. Numerous studies conclusively show that propofol has the potential to inhibit arrhythmia. The potential antiarrhythmic mechanisms of propofol include ion channel inhibition, uneven suppression of the autonomic nervous system, and protection of gap junctions during ischemia. The controversies in the field can be attributed in part to the use of different species and experimental conditions and the promiscuous effects of propofol at various concentrations. The currently available data regarding the effects of propofol on arrhythmogenesis are not sufficient. Previous studies mostly focused on normal conditions, but arrhythmias are always induced in abnormal conditions, such as ischemia and electrolyte disturbances. In addition, there is no pharmacogenetic data on the opposing propofol effects at clinically used doses. Available clinical data largely came from sporadic reports rather than large-sized, blinded and controlled trials. We believe future studies will expand to these areas to fully characterize the arrhythmic and antiarrhythmic properties of propofol."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3505762/

petey

I had one done 5 days before my ablation recently and thought for sure that I was going to go into AFIB either during prep or after the procedure or both. Neither happened. I actually went the whole day without any AFIB. I drink plenty of water up until I wasn't allowed to drink anymore and I also drink Pedialyte to help with loss of electrolytes during the prep. Don't buy the unflavored kind. Then I took my beta blocker. My AFIB may have decided to give me a reprieve for the day or doing those things helped. Either way it was worth doing.

I just had mine this past Monday, believe it or not, and a T.E.E. yesterday... both using propofol. No issues at either. But I'm blessed in that my AFib isn't terribly out of control. Honestly, if I had to choose which of any would have set off AFib.. it would be that prep!! I had to use that old fashioned PEG stuff. Horrid, horrid, VILE stuff. The colonoscopy was nothing, and the propofol didn't give me any issues, personally, but I suppose everyone is different. It has anti-nausea properties, which I like, because I tend to get sick after waking from sedation.

Also, my cardiologist, who is AWESOME, said that since I was also on carvedilol as well... that it has some protective properties (forgive my not being able to explain as he did), so maybe that also helped.

I think one of the best ways to help yourself too, of course, is not to worry yourself into anxiety. You'll be in the physician's care and in good hands. Also... while I was at my last cardio appt I overheard an elderly lady tell the dr in the next room she had 'no AFib' during her colonoscopy. :)

Thank you all for your feedback!! I appreciate it!

My regular cardiologist gave me some metoprolol to take when I started the prep and also the morning of. I usually don't take it. I think I might do that though, esp since Ella said hers might have protected her. I was afraid it might make my BP too low.

Thanks again!

They will monitor your BP. I 'may' have sick sinus syndrome, but they've yet to approach that. My HR without any meds goes from normal, to AFib, to 45 BPM.... so, taking these meds worries me about BP as well. But....My BP goes into the 'stroke' range when I just miss the carvedilol by a few hours, but it plunges very low with AND without...and I'm on the teeny dose of carvedilol. Go figure. I can't win for losing. But I think that since you'll be monitored while there you will be just fine.

Do you have a BP monitor at home so you can check yours occasionally? I'm just guessing maybe not since you're worried about your BP going too low. Do you know the symptoms of low BP? Also.... BP can make you VERY VERY tired!! So don't panic if you feel that way. Everyone is different so it may not affect you right off or for that short period of time. Talk to the pharmacist as well about your concerns.

I doubt your dr will give you a dose high enough to hurt you, but if you know someone who has a monitor you can borrow, you can just check for your peace of mind. Just keep in mind BP can change drastically in just a few minutes.. even seconds. So don't worry overly.

P.S.... I got off course and meant to say..... I have issues with my BP going to low all by itself at times, and even on carvedilol AND an ACE inhibitor... I've not had any issues, even while under the influence of propofol. But again, remember... you'll have the experts all around you while you're there and they'll be taking good care of you and watching all your vitals. :)

Thanks Ella!! I do have a BP monitor. I have passed out before when I was nauseated. I was concerned if the metoprolol makes my BP drop, then I might pass out. I am only going to take 25 mg.

You are right I will be monitored. Just hope I dont' pass out going to the hospital or during the prep!

Thanks for the link, Petey!

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Thomas, Mark and Ella!

I had a colonoscopy/EGD about 2 weeks ago and I was freaked out about it :) I sailed through it like a Rock Star ! Did a lot of reading on the prep and felt the most important thing was to keep myself hydrated and electrolytes in normal range, found a brand of coconut water that had a decent taste and no pulp and added a couple ounces of it to everything I drank through out the prep time and actually felt pretty good and in solid Sinus the whole time.....I also wanted to have only Versed and Fentanyl for sedation , not propofyl and had enough of it to be totally in lala land the whole time again is solid Sinus ......the unpredictability of a fib is always the Wild Card but maybe some of my experience will be of help.
Good Luck !!!! jan

Jan,

Thanks so much for sharing!! I am totally freaked out about mine. My cardiologist said if I do go into a fib, he would just check me into the hospital from the colonoscopy. Yikes!

My first colo was without propofol and I felt the entire procedure! It was extreme agony to me. The stress alone would put me into a fib. I'm chicken to go without propofol...

One clarification for Ella, the cardio is recommending only to take the metoprolol the day before at the beginning of the prep and the morning of. That's all.

My cardiologist said the same thing, that is I went into afib during the procedure they would either admit me or transfer me to the ER, they have to say that....they have to remind you that 1 in so many thousands does have an episode duriing a procedure. You know, same day procedures are what I do for a living (haha) and i have checked around a lot of places including my own and its very very rare for an a fib issue to happen that requires further care. SO while its oh so easy for me to say try to be positive and know its more likely to not happen than it is to happen.
I cant dispute that Propfyl is a stronger, different, deeper anesthesia but I do think if you have enough Versed and Fentanyl its a delightful sleep and you dont remember a thing. Ken swears he took me for breakfast on the way home.....cant prove that by me.
Im so sorry for all this stress and worry that you are going through that this little heart glitch does to all of us but your colonoscopy will come and it will go despite your fears and you will be fine on the other side !!! Good thoughts comin your way......jan

Thanks , Jan!! You mean that 1 in 1000's have a fib even for those who are prone to a fib in the past or the general population.

INteresting that your cardio said the same thing. I asked him couldn't you just chalk it up to the stress of the colo and wait and see if it returns, rather than ship me off to the hospital immediately?

I had colonoscopy 1 1/2 years ago. I was super anxious about having to stop Zarelto and risking a stroke, didn't even think about a-fib. I stopped taking the blood thinner for 3 days and had a blood test the day before the procedure. Everything went without any problems, anxiety and drinking a gallon of that horrible stuff was the worst part. I hope all goes well with you. Marya

Thank you, Marya! I'm drinking the citrate of Magnesia plus a lot of liquids. Hopefully it's better than that gallon of stuff. They dont' seem to improve on the prep or this procedure much from the last itme i had one 5 years ago...

Actually one of the problems with anesthesia is that it calm the heart and mask any afiib especially during an ablation. So when searching for triggers and hotspots beyond a PVI this can become a challenge which is why you must use a higher dose of isoproternol to initiate afib. I was in AFIB when they started to put me under but converted soon thereafter being administered Propofol.

McHale