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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Behavioral Changes After Heart Surgery?

My brother in law has had 2 atrial fib heart ops in a year. 1st time they cleared the top part of the heart the 2nd they did the bottom part of the heart. Since then he appears a changed man, depressed, drinking, abusive to my sister, blaming, forgetful. He is taking a cocktail of 6 pills a day. The relationship is suffering and my sister is confused and unsure what to do.
Mon, 16 May 2016
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Your observations are extremely important not only to you and your sister but to your brother in law. Many heart procedures, even those that are not as invasive as an open surgical procedure may produce psychiatric problems, most commonly depression. In addition, many rhythm control medications may worsen these problems. Open and honest discussion with him, if possible, may offer him the opportunity to seek help (so many patients already realize that something is wrong but are ashamed to admit it). The best resource in addition to that is a discussion with your primary care doctor or a provider who has known him for some time and can look from "outside" of procedures and new medications to help plan testing, if necessary, and treatment.
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What Causes Behavioral Changes After Heart Surgery?

Your observations are extremely important not only to you and your sister but to your brother in law. Many heart procedures, even those that are not as invasive as an open surgical procedure may produce psychiatric problems, most commonly depression. In addition, many rhythm control medications may worsen these problems. Open and honest discussion with him, if possible, may offer him the opportunity to seek help (so many patients already realize that something is wrong but are ashamed to admit it). The best resource in addition to that is a discussion with your primary care doctor or a provider who has known him for some time and can look from outside of procedures and new medications to help plan testing, if necessary, and treatment.