Thanks for sharing this.
We all worry about drugs that might increase the risk for A Fib.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions beforehand.
And I've found it helpful to consult with a pharmacist, too, before starting any new med.
D.

There is definitely definitely DEFINITELY a Local anesthetic for dental work and any other type of minor surgery that has no Epinephrine in it....I dont allow anyone to use anything else , I thought it was Carbocaine but I could be wrong cause there are so many *caines* and most all of them come with and without epi.....docs and dentists love that epi cause it lasts longer and decreases bleeding but they can do anything you need or want done without it too .
jan

I don't recall which 'caine' I had when my tooth was extracted last yr. But it Had Epi in it. I went into afib immediately. For the rest of the month I had episodes that lasted for days. It was a rough month. My new Cardio Dr. said, I would return to my default rhythm soon, and I did. I will not use epi again. There Are numbing agents with no epi!

I had a root canal 2 mos. later. Told the Oral Surgeon Not to use any Epi.. He didn't and I was fine. I since have had another tooth extracted and an implant. All numbed without Epi. I did fine.

I had a seven hour bout after my last dentist visit last week,they gave me marcaine and swore it was the unleaded. All I know is I went into afib next day. This is the second time this has happened to me after dental work, once when I was on Tikosyn and just last week 8 months post ablation go figure huh?

I had major dental work a few weeks ago (two Osseous Surgeries, one extraction, and one bone graft) and I was fine (except for the bill, $3400). Don't know what he used, but I advised the periodontist not to use anything like epi, he said he never does.

The Dental Folks around here Love Epi. It is fast, last longer and keeps bleeding minimal. My Oral Surgeon had to go to the Dentist down the hall to get Non epi for me.
I have to Tell them not to use it, and right before they administer it, I ask them to assure me that they are using epi free.

Some folks are affected by epi, but most are not. Epi for Heart arrhythmia is listed as counter effective. Unfortunately, you have to have a reaction to Know you can't use it.

Found an interesting article and the caine is listed here
Table 2.
Drugs* Reported to Potentially Induce AF
Drug Group Drug Mechanism
Cardiovascular
Cardiac stimulants Dopamine, dobutamine, dopexamine, arbutamine Adrenergic stimulation
Vasodilators Flosequinan, isosorbide mononitrate, losartan Hypotension adrenergic reflex?
Antiarrhythmics Adenosine, verapamil, diltiazem, digoxin, atenolol Changing atrial electrical properties
Cardiac ultrasound contrast agents Perflexane, perfluorobutane Local stimulation?
Cholinergics Acetylcholine Vagal stimulation
Diuretics Thiazides Hypokalemia
Respiratory system
Sympathicomimetic inhalants
Alpha agonists Pseudoephedrine Adrenergic stimulation
Beta agonists Albuterol Adrenergic stimulation
Xanthines Aminophylline Adrenergic stimulation
Corticosteroids Methylprednisolone (high dose) Local potassium efflux
Cytostatics Gemcitabine, melphalan, cisplatin, docetaxel, 5-FU, etoposide, ifosfamide Several, cardiotoxicity
Cytokines and immunomodulators Interferon-gamma, interleukin-3, interleukin-6 Not reported
Photosensitizing agents Porfimer, verteporfin Not reported
Central nervous system
Cholinergics Physostigmine, donepezil Vagal stimulation
Anticholinergics Atropine Adrenergic stimulation
Dopamine agonists Apomorphine Vagal activity
Antidepressants Fluoxetine Serotonin?
Tranylcypromine, trazodone Not reported
Antipsychotics Clozapine Not reported
Antimigraine Sumatriptan Coronary spasm ischemia
Anesthetics Bupivacaine Increasing cardiac automaticity
Genitourinary system
Drugs for erectile dysfunction Sildenafil Hypotension adrenergic reflex?
Drugs for premature labor Hexoprenalin, terbutaline Adrenergic stimulation
Magnesium sulphate Changing atrial conduction
Miscellaneous Nicotine, anabolic steroids, fluorescein, etanercept, azathioprine Several
Antithrombotic agents Anagrelide, clopidogrel Not reported
Antiemetica Alizapride, benzquinamide Not reported
Miscellaneous Amifostine, disulfiram, etretinate, flupirtine, gallium nitrate, levocarnitine, nesiritide, niacin, zalcitabine, amphotericin B, pentagastrin, calcium Not reported
AF = atrial fibrillation; 5-FU = 5-fluorouracil.

Thank you Dee, Jan, Yougacat, Daisy and Paul,
There is a wealth of information in your posts. I am glad I
wrote.
It annoys me when a dentist says your heart is beating fast
because you are anxious. I want to scream.
I KNEW something must be wrong.
My Cardiologist told me it is IMPORTANT to have all dental
work attended to immediately because it can affect your heart.
I will be discussing this with my dentist next week when I go.
Paul has been through the mill with his teeth.
BTW My dentist said he would only do one tooth at a time.
Too much trauma ... I am amazed how brave Paul was. OMG
I appreciate everyone's input. Validating but it is sad we
AFIBS have to be so careful about everything .. but I think I
am used to it... definite maybe.
When I went to the hospital today for INR everyone greeted me
like I am a 'regular' there ... funny feeling.
Marilyn hugs to all

Yes, we all remember when I had that tooth (perio) infection two weeks after my ablation. My event monitor went from 20 events/day to 60+ events/day. Not fun. And, its definitely a one way connection teeth to heart, not the other way around. In October he puts in the socket for the implant, another $2200 and I still won't have a tooth. The tooth will be another six months and probably another $2500.

Marilyn sorry to hear about your dental problems. Its tough enough having AF but having to argue with a dentist to boot; no fun! Now you have lots information to present in a non-anxious fashion! All the more power to you lady!!

Paul,. ummmm, wow, that makes about 9 months wait have you picked out a name for it, yet?

take care,
atp

First I have to decide see if it comes out a male or female tooth -g-.

ATP: Since you are in Switzerland, I was going to suggest that you meet me for lunch in Venice next month (Bellini's at Harrys bar?). But I see you are all the way on the other side of the country and the Alps are in the way.

Next year I'd like to try a barge trip (not one of those big river cruises) through the canals in the south of France. If I do Alsace, I'll let you know. Lunch in Strasbourg?

Paul youre right Venice is a good 9 hour train ride away! Alsace and Strasbourg is MUCH closer and very beautiful (so Ive heard havent been there yet) and in the Spring its famous for asparagus! Thatll be fun!

Take care,
atp

Ha Ha Naming the tooth is hysterical.
Paul has the WORST bout of dental work ... OMG.
My doc is stretching out the work for a total of $17,500
over a period of months. One crown takes month to get
the permanent back and he does not do more than one
thing at a time.
I have always had perfect teeth. I think the osteoporosis
is doing a job on them.
Now, where to get the money for the teeth without taking
away 'fun money' ? hate unexpected bills. I guess
I will have to start selling more enthusiastically .. kind
of taking a break for the summer. Thanks for everyone's
advice.. a big hel and that is the 'tooth' Marilyn

When I had a root canal I asked for carbocaine and it worked well. I had done research on carbocaine and found that it can sometimes put you in afib if your afib is vagally mediated.

This means your afib occurs at night, after a meal, when resting after exercising, or when you have digestive problems. This was not the case for me.

opsyn

That about covers all activities bringing it on.
I dread Tuesday ... hope it does not happen.
I am going to take a half a Ativan before he does it
and see if that relaxes me enough so that it does not
happen. Ughh Do not like the 'beast' inside my
chest but it could be worse... I saw a woman in the grocery
store yesterday without a foot. Just the ankle hanging there
and it made me count my blessings. Someone always has
something worse I guess.
Thank you all for the help. Marilyn