Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/27/2010

Question
Hi There,
I just underwent a septoplasty a turbinate reduction 11 days ago.
I suffer from several anxiety disorders and take prozac, buspir, and adivan on a daily basis. I had lots of fear about the general anesthesia before going in for the surgery. However, the anesthesiologist was great and he put something very calming in my IV. However, after surgery I was in and out of consciousness for what I have been told was about 30 mins. I was panicking and my heart rate was going as high as 150 bpm. The nurse kept telling me this and it just kept freaking me out more. The staff actually brought my husband in to the post op room to see if he could come me down but he says I was inconsolable yet still asking for my adivan b/c I knew I was having a panic attack. I only remember about the last 5 mins of the whole thing- once they finally got me my adivan I was fine. Now I am so scared of this happening if I have to get surgery again. It was a truly terrifying experience. I have tried researching what I experienced and I have seen some work on emergence delirium. Does that sound like what I experienced? If so what are my chances of that happening again? And is a heart rate of 150 really a big deal after surgery? I thought I might die.
               Thanks, Desireah

Answer
This is not emergence delirium, it is more likely that you were just recovering from the anesthetic and going in and out of a sleepy state. It does not mean it will happen again. As for the heart rate, if you are otherwise healthy, that heart rate is not a problem. It probably goes that high whenever you do strenuous exercise and your heart can easily tolerate it for short periods of time.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston