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Arrhythmia and Prep for Colonoscopy
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Jul 10 12:43pm | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
AJ, I'll reply because I am an arrhythmia patient myself, no pacemaker but 5 ablations and rhythm control with Amiodarone for periodic a-fib and PVCs. I just had a colonoscopy two weeks ago and my gastro dr. and I briefly discussed the chance for arrhythmias to arise during or after the procedure. It so happened that I had a run of PVCs going the morning of the procedure, and still had them later that day, but that was my normal pattern. There were NO changes caused by the procedure.
If you are on blood thinning medication, check with your cardiologist/EP to find out whether it's okay to hold off that medication for a few days before the procedure, which is what the gastroenterologist requires. I was okay to hold Eliquis for 5 days before the procedure, and resume it immediately afterward.
It's good that you are inquiring and following up with your physicians. I am sure you will be just fine.
Jennifer
Replies to "AJ, I'll reply because I am an arrhythmia patient myself, no pacemaker but 5 ablations and..."
May I ask what prep was suggested that you use
Eliquis has a clearance half-life of about 6 hours, the apparent half-life during repeat dosing is about 12 hours, which allows twice-daily dosing to provide effective anticoagulation, but it also means that when the drug is stopped for surgery, anticoagulation persists for at least a day. So why do docs for for 3 days or longer?
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Jennifer, thank you so much for replying to my post and I apologize for not acknowledging it earlier (I wasn't aware of any notification from the system that anyone had responded). It is reassuring to hear that your procedure went well and that there were no complications. I canceled the upcoming procedure but will reschedule it. Thanks again.