A slow heartbeat after atrial fibrillation surgery can be caused by incomplete recovery from localized burns caused by surgery, abnormal atrial conduction, or atrial fibrillation medications.
Atrial fibrillation generally causes a rapid heart rate, and the common surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation is radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation can cause localized burns, which may lead to a slow heart rate for a short period of time after the procedure. Atrial conduction may be affected after AF radiofrequency ablation, which may also result in a slow heart rate.
In addition, if a patient continues to take oral medications for atrial fibrillation, such as metoprolol, after AF surgery, this may also result in a slow heart rate.
If there is no other obvious discomfort, the slow heart rate after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation can be observed temporarily, and the ECG and other related examinations can be improved. If the heart rate decreases further, installation of a pacemaker may be considered.