Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] My husband had quadruple bypass surgery one year ago and ever since he has had a cough that he did not have before. Just recently he has noticed that he is having palpitations (fluttering) and when they start the coughing get worse than normal. No chest pain at his point. Could the cough be due to the surgery and or the palipatations?
[|AI|]  Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Bypass surgery can cause conduction defect (arrhythmia) in heart. And arrhythmia can cause palpitations and cough. So better to consult cardiologist and get done ECG, 2d echo and Holder monitoring (24 hours continuous recording of ECG). He may need anti arrhythmia Chat Doctor.  Another possibility is bronchitis (inflammation of airways). Bronchitis is common after thoracic surgery like bypass grafting. So consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). If PFT is showing obstructive defect then he will need inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or albuterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone) for bronchitis. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.