Tachycardia - will pre-op Clonidine decrease the chances of this happening during the liposuction procedure?

Question

Hi. I have had issues with inappropriate sinus tachycardia in the past. I've experienced fast heart rate with pilocaine given for neck stiffness and some OTC meds (with pseudoephedrine, benadryl). Will pre-op Clonidine decrease the chances of this happening during the lipo procedure? Thank you.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. For safety reasons, to be a good candidate for the procedures you want, your labs, cardiovascular preoperative evaluation must be optimal.​

Kind Regards,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear 100pcntwoman,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You will need to get a clearance from your cardiologist. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jon S. Wilensky, MD · Answer

Given your cardiac history, our pre-operative clearance team will see and evaluate you prior to scheduling Surgery. If necessary, we will also have you evaluated by your cardiologist prior to giving you the final clearance to proceed. Your safety is our number one priority when undergoing elective surgery. That said, sometimes Clonidine is used intra-operatively. Those decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after careful evaluation by your Surgeon, Anesthetist, and Medical Team.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Clonidine is a central acting alpha agonist that works in reverse systemically.

It is not the drug of choice to lower tachycardia.

I suggest you let the doctors do the doctoring and you focus on being a good patient by having in person consultations at which time you disclose your entire medical history and let the plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist make sure that you are well cared for.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

This is a question for your cardiologist and anesthesiologist. At the very least, you need a clearance by your cardiologist. If your problem is very minimal with a low risk of problems with the meds used with liposuction, your plastic surgeon and cardiologist can determine how to proceed safely. If your condition is more significant, you should have the surgery only with an anesthesiologist overseeing your management.

Tachycardia - will pre-op Clonidine decrease the chances of this happening during the liposuction procedure?

Answers (5)

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