About this topic
The heart has an electrical system that sends signals to the heart. These tell the heart to beat and contract in a normal pattern. If the pattern is not normal or regular, it is an arrhythmia. Your heart may beat faster or slower than normal. ‚
Arrhythmia may be due to abnormal electrical activity in the heart. If this condition is not treated the right way, it may cause health problems like: ‚
- Less blood flow
- Stroke
- Weakened heart
- Blood clot
- Irregular heartbeat
Atrial fibrillation is a kind of arrhythmia in which the heart beats irregularly. This may cause blood to collect in the heart. If the collected blood does not move because the heartbeat is not regular, a blood clot may form. Blood clots block off blood flow to parts of the body like the heart, brain, and legs. ‚
Maze is a surgery done to treat atrial fibrillation. The surgery is done to make your heartbeat regular. You may need Maze surgery if you have not responded to other types of treatment or are at a higher risk for stroke. In some cases, the doctor puts a pacemaker underneath your skin at the same time. This will help control your heartbeat. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut sites. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages. Keep them clean and dry.
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, going up and down steps, or driving
- How to lower your stress
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Protect your chest from any blow or impact.
- When coughing or sitting or standing, hold a pillow over your chest for support.
- Always sit up straight. Do not bend over with your chest.
- Sleep in a reclined position.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor may suggest you to visit a heart rehab center for more heart care.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Always wear your medical ID or bracelet when you go out of your house.
- Tell airport staff that you have chest metal plates or screws before going through the security process.
- Avoid smoking and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). These can cause an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor can help you learn about how to stop smoking or drinking over a period of time.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control heartbeat
- Control your blood pressure
- Prevent or fight an infection
- Prevent blood clots
Will physical activity be limited?
- Physical activities may be limited until you have fully recovered from the surgery.
- Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Supervised exercise is good for your overall health.
What changes to diet are needed?
Talk to your doctor or dietitian about your personal diet plan. Ask if you need to follow a heart healthy diet. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Weakening or failure of other organs
- Stroke
- Problems with heartbeat
- Pneumonia
- Death
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of a bad reaction. These include trouble breathing; chest tightness; fever; itching; blue skin color; seizures, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain, upset stomach, or throwing up that is not helped by the drugs you are taking
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you when I can go back to my normal activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Where can I learn more?
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons ‚
http://www.sts.org/patient-information/arrhythmia-surgery/atrial-fibrillation-surgery ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚