Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

I was diagnosed with AFib

DebW
DebW

Hello,


I was diagnosed with Afib in January of this year. Since then, I have had a few other issues and have found out I need to have surgery.


I was told by the surgeon that even though I will be having heart surgery to replace my bicuspid valve and my aorta (I have a large aneurysm), the AFIB may still become an issue at a later date.


Has anyone in this group had a valve replaced and still have AFib?

Hwkmn
Hwkmn
No, but I know of someone who had afib and had the same thing as you in their aorta, and after that was removed, the afib was gone. I would imagine that could provoke afib. Any heart surgery can provoke afib but your situation should alleviate it.
DebW
DebW
Thank you. I hope once the surgery is over I will start feeling like myself again. I sure don't want to have Afib again. That was pretty scarey.
gentlefootprint
gentlefootprint
Hello DebW. If you haven't had your surgery yet I hope it will be soon and it resolves all of your problems.
DebW
DebW
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I am still waiting for a surgery date. I was told it probably won't be until September. Since September is next week, I hope I will hear soon.
AndreN10011
AndreN10011
Hi DevW: I actually had my bicuspid valve replaced, as well as part of my ascending aorta - plus a maze procedure and the left atrial appendage closed last month. Previously I had persistent AFIB for many years. So far, even after a cardioversion the AFIB is still present even though in slightly less severe form. To be honest, even though I had persistent AFIB " it hadn't bothered me ", except that I now know it was (is) the reason I was tired more easily.
I now am on metoprolol and amiodarone, and am expected to be waiting for some months before any further action is taken - I presume I will have to have some ablation procedure done then.
Best of luck for you! crossing my fingers too re my case.