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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Low Blood Pressure, High Pulse, Given Diltiazem To Convert A-fib. Cause?

I was given a 12 hr Diltiazem drip to get my A-Fib to convert in the ER two days ago, and now I have very low blood pressure 90/60 70bpm, normal for me was 117/68 53bps.
Is this the Diltiazem still in my system?

Follow-up question, my pulse was 138 when I got up this am, but settled down after a few hours. Why so high?

Thanks
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Dear sir/ madam
Thanks for writing to us.
I do not understand why diltiazem was given to convert AFib. Diltiazem only controls the ventricular rate when given for AF. it does not convert it to normal sinus rhythm. diltiazem has been nearly washed out of your body if last dose was given 2 days back and you are not on any oral diltiazem preparation. one possibility is that they have given you some other rate lowering drug, which is causing your rate to be still low.
Why your heart rate was higher in AM, 1. you may still be having AF which can behave in this fashion (low/high heart rates intermittently) 2. it could be simply a reactionary transient rise in HR which commonly occurs if you are woken up suddenly.
i hope i have given you some insight into your problem.
take care
sincerely
sukvinder
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Have Low Blood Pressure, High Pulse, Given Diltiazem To Convert A-fib. Cause?

Dear sir/ madam Thanks for writing to us. I do not understand why diltiazem was given to convert AFib. Diltiazem only controls the ventricular rate when given for AF. it does not convert it to normal sinus rhythm. diltiazem has been nearly washed out of your body if last dose was given 2 days back and you are not on any oral diltiazem preparation. one possibility is that they have given you some other rate lowering drug, which is causing your rate to be still low. Why your heart rate was higher in AM, 1. you may still be having AF which can behave in this fashion (low/high heart rates intermittently) 2. it could be simply a reactionary transient rise in HR which commonly occurs if you are woken up suddenly. i hope i have given you some insight into your problem. take care sincerely sukvinder