Arteriogram on March 15

[catwoman]

John (catman) has an arteriogram scheduled Thursday @ 11 a.m..
I had a right & left heart cath the day before my MVR, was admitted that day to the hospital. Don't remember much about the cath other than watching my cardio, seeing my ribs on the monitor and being sandbagged over the groin for too long afterward.

I assume John's will be a similar situation.

We've been told no driving for 24 hours.

Duh -- I need to pick up a rental car Friday @ 11 a.m., so John will have to drive me 20 miles to the agency.
Barring any complications, should this be do-able?

Other than hematoma, what should John expect after the procedure? I don't remember any hematoma or bleeding afterward.

ALSO, I am assuming our cardiologist, who will be doing this procedure, should be able to tell us immediately the results -- whether CABG is in the cards for John. I remember being told that my arteries were "whistle clean."

Am I right?

I will be sooooooooooo glad to get this over with and we can interview some surgeons for the MV repair. We've had this hanging over us for too long. With my surgery, I was told 4/29 I needed MV surgery PDQ. I researched hospitals in Texas and in early June got a 2nd opinion & then a surgery date 2 weeks later.

 

[Guest]

Marsha,

Can't say I can answer any of your questions (very sorry) ... but ...

Please know (as I'm guessing you already DO know) that thoughts/prayers are coming John's way ... and to you as well.



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"My arms are wide open & will always be" ... Emerson Drive ... 'Fall Into Me'

 

[Pegasus]

My husband had a left heart cath and he was told the results right away (clean arteries He also got a printed report the same day.
They went in the wrist and it was no problem. He got his cath done at noon and was released early evening. Late afternoons they let him take walks.
He didn't have any bleeding issues either. He was told not to drive for two days. Unfortunately that's all I remember and it wasn't even a year ago.

Best of luck and hoping for clean arteries!
astrid

 

[gijanet]

It may be different with kids..........

It may be different with kids..........

but after both of Katie's caths, they wanted us to keep her legs immobile and Katie lying flat for 8 hours or so following..........yeah, fat chance on that one..........about two to three, maybe, while the sedation wore off. She was pretty sore following, but that is because they practically mangled her groin trying to gain access and ended up going in through the neck anyway. I would think that John would be fine by the following day, with some soreness granted, but okay enough to drive. WE will be thinking of you guys, praying and thinking good thoughts. Hugs. J.

 

[WayneGM]

Other than the hematoma and taking it easy a couple of day, my cath was uneventful. The only other thing I recall was being told to watch for large swelling as an indicator of possible internal bleeding.

Good luck!

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes to John for clean arteries!- Dick was told the results immediately after his cath and had to lie flat for 5 hours as I remember.

 

[Susan BAV]

cath

cath

Hi Marsha - I think they told me I would have to lay six hours but the procedure was about noon or 1 pm I think and they didn't take the weight off until 10 pm. There was an option for a plug instead of the weight but when they got in there with the cath they said I needed the valve replaced right away and so they couldn't use the plug. They kept me all night at the hospital too, which was about 2-3 hours from our home. I didn't have any problems or even any real pain that I recall from this one (except something embarassing because I got sick in my stomach while I was recovering). Hope all goes well.

 

[Adrienne]

The worst part for me was the fact that I had to lie down and keep my leg straight for 6 hours!!! I have a very weak bladder and am totally unable to use a bed pan lying on my back. I won't go into details, but it was not fun.

 

[Mary]

I've had the plug, and sand bags, used for my three. I actually preferred the sand bags as the plug left my leg sore for several days.
I was told the results right away, and was good to go except for climbing stairs, within 12 hours.

 

[geebee]

The worst part for me was the fact that I had to lie down and keep my leg straight for 6 hours!!! I have a very weak bladder and am totally unable to use a bed pan lying on my back. I won't go into details, but it was not fun.

I have the same bladder issue and expressed my concern. The doctor had a foley (sp?) inserted and the rest was simple. However, I was fully anticoagulated so the sandbag was on for 8 hours and I was not allowed up for another few hours.

Marsha - John should be fine to drive you on Friday assuming nothing is found that would require immediate treatment. Praying that all goes perfectly.

 

[gijanet]

Sandbags???

Sandbags???

I've had sand bags, used for my three. I actually preferred the sand bags as the plug left my leg sore for several days.
.

You mean we could have had sandbags to keep Katie still??? They never offerred us sandbags as an option..............wonder if I could get some now?

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way for today, Marsha! Hugs. J.

 

[catwoman]

No CABG needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No CABG needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heart cath went fine. Our cardio say John doesn't need any bypasses. Made 2 copies of the tape for us to take to surgeons.

He used a plug -- I guess that's what y'all are talking about -- made by St. Jude Medical. No sand bagging or vise needed on the entry point, like they did with me.

He was told no driving for 48 hours. But an RN friend of ours said that as long as John drives slowly & uses cruise control on the highway, he should be able to drive the 20 miles from downtown Fort Worth back to our house. It'll be during midday, so I think we'll do that.

John is thinking that the soonest he can get into surgery is May 8. Need to get referrals from our PCP for the surgeons, then get consults with them. I have 2 cat shows to judge, one in Dallas April 21, the other in Issaquah WA on Sunday May 6, taking a red-eye home late that night.
The cardiologist said he didn't think it'd be a problem waiting until then.

 

[Phyllis]

Great news, Marsha. Be sure and let us know when he has the definite date. It's always a relief to know that the arteries are clear!

 

[Guest]

Congrats that the heart cath went fine .

Thoughts/prayers continuing, of course, as you look ahead to John's surgery....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"We'll keep you close as always" ... Michael W Smith ... 'Friends'

 

[MaryC]

Marsha,
I was thinking of you and your husband today. I'm glad to hear your husband's cath went well.

 

[WayneGM]

Glad to hear the cath went well and the arteries are clear.

 

[Pegasus]

Great news! It's always a relief to know.
May 8 is a great date - my husband had his repair May 8 last year. Surgery was postponed twice for a couple of days which we were grateful for. May 8 was a nice, warm sunny day.

Best wishes