How do they check heart performance after OHS?

[bassadict69]

Dad is having problems with low BP & they still have him on a Dopamine drip & therefore he is still in ICU. His surgery was on Monday.

I am wondering about the performance of his heart. How do they know it is performing better with the new valve? How do they know the valve was good? (I talked to one guy whose wife was still in ICU after 19 days because her first mechanical failed right after surgery)

It just seems to me that his BP should be a little better after getting the new Mitral valve. Since it isn't & is actually lower than before, I am worried that something is major wrong!

 

[Nancy]

If he is in ICU, he is no doubt hooked up to a heart monitor, oximeter, and they will be taking BP frequently. The heart monitors are very sophisticated and there may be a monitor screen in his room, or there might be a signal that goes to a central room where someone monitors things 24/7.

In addition, they will probably be taking blood work on a regular basis and that can tell a lot about what is going on with his body.

Plus he will be getting regular physical examinations by various people frequently.

ICU is intense. And if he is having some problems, that is the best place for him until they get everything straightened out.

One time, Joe was in the cardiac ICU for a month. This was not due to heart surgery, but because of something else.

They worked at things until they had him stable and in shape to go home.

And there are several others who have had extended recoveries.

Your dad will probably not be in ICU for that long, but he'll be there until they feel his body is all regulated and things are on an even keel.

It takes time. Don't lose faith. He has many people keeping tabs on him and figuring things out.

My guess is that one of the most important things for them to monitor was the oozing he had. And they don't want to transfer him until they feel he is healed enough so it won't open up again or do whatever it was doing. Moving a patient takes a lot out of them and involves a lot of body movements that they probably don't want to do with him right now. Just a guess on my part.

 

[olefin]

bassadict,

First, I suggest asking the doctors.

I don't mean to scare you but I had low BP the first night after AVR surgery. In fact I heard the LBP alarm go off about 4 AM. It was due to internal bleeding. Two hours later they reopen me to stop the bleeding. I had brought along 4 pints of my blood in case I needed blood. Before the next 20 days was over I had been given 21 pints.

Other than ICU after surgery, I was sent back to ICU twice and put on a breathing machine both times. My temperature was so high they cover me in a blanket that had refrigerated water circulating through the blanket.

There was no problem with my new valve, it was working great as it is today.

I wish the very best for your dad.

 

[bassadict69]

I just got back from the hospital. According to the doc & the EXCELLENT nurse who has been taking care of him on days, he is doing fairly well but is real weak muscle wise. He went to rehab twice & had lots of trouble having the strength to walk. They seem to think most of his problems is due to him being in really bad shape before the surgery. His regurg was a 4 + before surgery & the surgeon told me the other day his valve was totally shot & this surgery should have been done several years ago.

They said all bloodwork looks good & the monitored stuff looks good also. He does still have some fluid on his lungs & this morning his right lung had more than yesterday. They did several fluid boluses last night to try to raise his BP & they are thinking that caused the extra fluid today. It doesn't seem to me like it should have went to his lung!

Dad is eating good, no nausea & has had no pain meds since early yesterday. They also said that may have been keeping his BP down. He was taken off the Dopamine at about 230 this afternoon & while I was there, his BP was 106/62 which is actually a little higher than it had been running.

The oozing has slowed down some but they do not seem to be too worried about it at the moment. Something about they can tell by the color of the fluid when it is time to worry.

If he stays off the Dopamine tonight meaning his BP doesn't drop, he should get moved tomorrow.

 

[Ross]

He's just slower in recovery then most. Don't sweat it. Not only does the surgery really knock you down, if you weren't in good shape before hand, it's just that much worse afterwards.

 

[Eva]

Dad is having problems with low BP & they still have him on a Dopamine drip & therefore he is still in ICU. His surgery was on Monday.

I am wondering about the performance of his heart. How do they know it is performing better with the new valve? How do they know the valve was good? (I talked to one guy whose wife was still in ICU after 19 days because her first mechanical failed right after surgery)

It just seems to me that his BP should be a little better after getting the new Mitral valve. Since it isn't & is actually lower than before, I am worried that something is major wrong!

It is normal to be worried. My BP dropped very low while in hospital...75/50 but it gradually returned to normal after ten days. Being in ICU, ex-rays are taken in the mornings and the heart is monitored 24 hrs...so rest assured your dad is well taken care of. You may speak to the head nurse and get answers to your querries. Doctors in charge of ICU always check in at night and leave notes.

 

[abbanabba]

I am wondering about the performance of his heart. How do they know it is performing better with the new valve? How do they know the valve was good? (I talked to one guy whose wife was still in ICU after 19 days because her first mechanical failed right after surgery)

While I was in hospital they did a Doppler echo, which was able to see that the valve was properly seated and not leaking. It also gave them a good indication of the heart function by measuring the pressures, size, ejection fraction and a bunch of other stuff they look at. There were also x-rays galore (I swear I glow in the dark now!) and of course the usual monitors.

2 weeks after surgery I saw my cardio for another Doppler and he said everything was looking great, the valve was functioning very well and my heart function was already improving.

I agree with Eva - chat with the doctors and nurses, ask about the tests they're doing and what they reveal. I'm sure they'll discuss it all with you.

Meanwhile I hope your dad continues to do well.


A : )