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Question:
Since I have a history of arrhythmia, what is recommended for dental procedure anesthesia?
73 y/o man. I have had 2 catheter ablations in 2013 and am three months in NSR now. I need a tooth implant next week requiring local anesthesia with epinephrine. I am concerned that the epinephrine will put me back in Afib. What is your recommendation about dental procedures and use of local anesthesia with epinephrine?
submitted by Sam from Knoxville, Tennessee on 10/2/2013
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Patrick J. Cook, MD
The amount of LOCAL anesthesia usually given shouldn't be a problem. All else being equal, it would be preferable to use a local anesthetic without epinephrine, though.
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Updated October 2013
