out of hospital after cardiac cath

[SteveInFlorida]

I got out of the hospital yesterday after three days for a cardiac cath and med admin to protect my kidneys (Mucomyst, or acetylcysteine, the most god awful tasting s**t ever created by humankind; anyone else ever had it?).

Anyway, it was my 4th or 5th cath (I've lost count), but only the second one for which I was conscious.

The great thing about this one was that, after the procedure, while I was still on the table, they turned the video monitors towards me and brought them up close to replay the session.

The good news was that my coronary arteries were completely well formed and clean! The cath team was raving about how 'beautiful' they were (probably, a different adjective would have been more appropriate, but I appreciated their assessment nonetheless!).

What was truly stunning, though, was when they showed me the actual view of my dyed blood 'leaking' back through my aortic valve (again, now that I've seen it, 'leaking' or even 'regurgitation' is not the appropriate term; it was more like 'massive backflow'). As I told my wife, after seeing that video of my own valve performance, all my doubts about my urgent need for surgery were gone.

Has anyone else seen the cardiac cath video of their valve performance like this?

 

[Jkm7]

I had been given the CD of my cath to bring with the CD of my TEE to my surgeon. I had them at home for a few days and could not bring myself to play them. Really didn't want to see it all. Now I wish I had watched them.

Sorry to hear how bad your regurg is but good to know your arteries are clear and no bypasses necessary.

 

[rocksoldier]

i didn't have my glasses-so couldn't see it. tho my surgeon did show my the part that shows the blockage in my circumflex artery. and YES- i have had that rotten egg tasting crap !!!!! i was told it was cuz i'm diabetic-are you? for future reference-hold your nose when you drink it and do NOT mix it w/carbonated beverages or when you burp-you'll burp rotten eggs! glad the coronary arteries are clear! trish

 

[Freddie]

At 6 months post-op, I told my Cardiologist that I felt I was used as a guinea pig - I had no history of heart problems. At my 1 year check up, he remembered me as his "guinea pig" and showed me my angiogram video. And YES mine too looked like a 'massive backflow'. Even then I asked.."are you sure thats my heart?" It was truly amazing to see this in real time and in slow motion.

 

[Ana]

What was truly stunning, though, was when they showed me the actual view of my dyed blood 'leaking' back through my aortic valve (again, now that I've seen it, 'leaking' or even 'regurgitation' is not the appropriate term; it was more like 'massive backflow'). As I told my wife, after seeing that video of my own valve performance, all my doubts about my urgent need for surgery were gone.

Has anyone else seen the cardiac cath video of their valve performance like this?

Yes, the cardiologist replayed the imaging for me right after the procedure since my husband (Carl) was still loopy from the versed. Doc traced a line on his monitor how the blood should flow and he didn't even have to explain the valve issues as it was so evident by the massive backflow from two valves - regurgitation was at 70% on both.

Carl had been feeling so awful his reaction to the cath/angio was the same as yours: "can we get this done before the weekend?"

Good luck!

 

[duncanjo]

stupid question here..I wonder why they can't fix a leaky valve. I mean they could place a pig valve inside and get it to work. I wonder why they can't get a human heart valve to properly to work again. Or explore other options like giving you a slim chance of repairing ur valve...just thinking out loud..

joe
mech valve-april04/08

 

[Jkm7]

Yes, in some cases, they absolutely repair native valves. We have a number of VR members with successful valve repairs. A successful valve repair is the best of circumstance for us valvers.

My surgeon tried for a considerable time to repair mine but at some point determined he could not make a good repair and went ahead with replacement.

There are a great many posts on this forum about successful (and unsuccessful) repairs.