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Does anyone have experience with Lumbar Fusion with Heart Failure ?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: May 7 5:35pm | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
Hi @larryst You are understandably concerned about how your recovery will go following lumbar fusion, particularly when it comes to managing your heart failure. I am so glad you created this discussion and I notice you are finding others to converse with on other discussions. You’ve got this!
As you wait for others here I am curious if you would share a bit more about your concerns. So many thoughts go through my own mind as I read what you have written. I also want to tag @retirement75 who has commented about chronic problems with both fusions and heart failure, maybe has thoughts for you. You are not alone!
When is your surgery scheduled? Would it help to have a conversation with your cardiologist before your procedure?
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@jlharsh Thanks for replying ! My concerns are numerous:
- How will my heart handle anesthesia ? I have arrhythmia issue (v-tach) due to sarcoidosis causing electrical issue. I also have an implanted CRT-D (which actually makes me feel better).
- Pain management? My research has said opioids affect arrhythmia issues. Tylenol was the only alternative provided.
- My blood pressure is kept low purposely because of heart failure 97/69 on average. How will that affect anesthesia, pain meds, and healing
- On top of all this I am currently on immune suppressors to keep sarcoid in remission. I understand I will be told to stop those prior to surgery. This is concerning
- Finally, how will my heart failure affect the bone fusion of the back ?
Sorry for the long post…kinda went down a rabbit hole lately
Surgery scheduled 6/9. I have met with heart rhythm, and cardiology and will be meeting with cardiac sarcoidosis, and rheumatology over the next weeks but anesthesia and ortho surgeon is very close to surgery date