Joe was discussing a fourth heart surgery, in general, with his cardiologist, a couple of weeks ago. There are no plans to operate, but this was a "what if" discussion.
The cardiologist told him that he would be extremely high risk now, and that his right and left heart caths showed evidence of constrictive/restrictive heart disease which is caused by a build up of scar tissue from his previous surgeries. This condition is a major contributor to his difficult heart failure issues, which, most of the time now, are presenting as ascites. He has cardiac cirrhosis hepatomegaly and splenomegaly which are the results of all of this. These conditions may be permanent for him, and have to be managed medically, and it is not easy, since he can slip into kidney failure easily. His fluid control has to be very tight, and his sodium restriction is severe. And these conditions can cause blood abnormalities. He can also be prone to portal hypertension which is high blood pressure in the liver.
His risk was discussed and there was some discussion of 50 to 75 percent risk (correction), but I'm quite sure if push came to shove, and it became very necessary to operate, this figure could go even higher, since he has pulmonary problems which would have to be factored in.
Joe is in the "advanced cardiology" category, and his hematology and pulmonary problems are becoming blended into his cardiology problems.
Debora, your conditions, I'm sure, are not the same as Joe's. But I always try to speak the truth from our perspective, since it might help others.
Your cardiologist and surgeon know you best and know what is going on inside of you. You are also a LOT younger than Joe.
