Long journey! AV replaced 4/25/12 with pig bioprosthetic valve with mini maze ablation of AFib. Cardiac cath 1 week prior, showed EF 45% and slight reduction in contractility. 1 month b4 surgery EF 55%. Surgery went well. HATED the ventilator (banged the rails), felt mucus deep like I could not breathe, but O2 levels were fine. They tried to suction it but no help. While on the vent got air under my skin which indicated pneumothorax (free air in right chest) had a 3rd chest tube put in (was knocked out for it). My asthma really kicked in after breathing tube removed, round the clock nebulizing after the breathing tube removed, plus prednisone. Surprised about the insulin drip, tons of edema and pulmonary edema. Blew up like the Michelin man. They needed ultrasound to find veins for IVs. Had several injections of Lasix to remove the fluid, one day was a 6 liter fluid deficit (felt soooo thirsty!). Needed lots of IV's for electrolytes after. Very low bp post op 90/56, low hemoglobin, was transfused. Surprised I was made to walk with 3 chest tubes, foley, IV's all in.
Had routine muscle spasms and aches BUT in step down unit had SEVERE left sided chest pain, just like the pre-op angina I had. Used heat, relaxation techniques and it went away, nothing seen on ECG. Nurse was there and not worried, told Nurse practitioner and she was not worried but I KNEW it was angina. Sent home Day 9. on diltiazem.
STILL angina at home for 3 days (over weekend) told to go to local ER when called surgeon. Hospitalized for 2 more days. XRays showed moderate cardiomegally (enlarged heart) and mild congestive heart failure. Echo ok, no pericardial fluid (around heart) 45% EF (same as immediate pre-op). Diagnosis coronary artery spasm restarted Imdur (isosorbide nitrate), chest pain controlled for now. Post-op lung congestion continues, generally better, both asthma and cardiac related. Still on pred, asthma inhalers, diltiazem, isosorbide nitrate, abx, asprin, magnesium. Last xrays this wed. showed no more congestive heart failure but still cardiomegally. Local cardiologist said I still have a murmur
. He will repeat echo in 2 months then start rehab. Back to surgeon in 2 weeks. No idea about when I can go back to work. Hoping for 6 weeks, now not so sure.
Transferred to new cardiac tower @ John's Hopkins while there. Was a big production, surrounded by residents with crash cart and AED in a backpack, 12 crash stations on the route. Wonderful new facility, spacious rooms and long halls to walk in.
Thank you all for your help, info and support! I was much better prepared for surgery because of this forum!
Lynn
Had routine muscle spasms and aches BUT in step down unit had SEVERE left sided chest pain, just like the pre-op angina I had. Used heat, relaxation techniques and it went away, nothing seen on ECG. Nurse was there and not worried, told Nurse practitioner and she was not worried but I KNEW it was angina. Sent home Day 9. on diltiazem.
STILL angina at home for 3 days (over weekend) told to go to local ER when called surgeon. Hospitalized for 2 more days. XRays showed moderate cardiomegally (enlarged heart) and mild congestive heart failure. Echo ok, no pericardial fluid (around heart) 45% EF (same as immediate pre-op). Diagnosis coronary artery spasm restarted Imdur (isosorbide nitrate), chest pain controlled for now. Post-op lung congestion continues, generally better, both asthma and cardiac related. Still on pred, asthma inhalers, diltiazem, isosorbide nitrate, abx, asprin, magnesium. Last xrays this wed. showed no more congestive heart failure but still cardiomegally. Local cardiologist said I still have a murmur
. He will repeat echo in 2 months then start rehab. Back to surgeon in 2 weeks. No idea about when I can go back to work. Hoping for 6 weeks, now not so sure.Transferred to new cardiac tower @ John's Hopkins while there. Was a big production, surrounded by residents with crash cart and AED in a backpack, 12 crash stations on the route. Wonderful new facility, spacious rooms and long halls to walk in.
Thank you all for your help, info and support! I was much better prepared for surgery because of this forum!
Lynn
