standard post op tests?

[jcat2006]

I have a question which was sparked from brocansky?s post on pericardial effusion. He stated that he had an ultrasound at a follow-up appointment 4 ½ weeks post op.

I was just wondering how many of you received tests at your post op appointment aside from an electrocardiogram and the general stuff such as the Dr. / nurse listening to your lungs, taking blood pressure, etc.

My husband has had a follow up appointment with both his surgeon and his cardiologist since his surgery on Jan. 17th and no other tests were done aside from a electrocardiogram. I am trying to get feedback from others to see if I should be on the look out for other ?standard? post op tests after aortic root replacement. Of course I realize that they may not be a standard but was just curious as to what others have had done after this type of procedure. I guess I am being overly cautious because my husband had some neurological complications after the surgery and is doing well and I want to do all I can to keep it that way!

Jen

 

[DinahS]

Tests

Tests

Hey Jen

So glad to hear from you and so glad that he is doing much better.

These are the tests they did on me the day I went home, then again after 3 weeks & then I am having them done again at 10 weeks in March, and again every 6 months after that. EKG, Echocardiogram, regular vitals (bp, weight, pulse) by nurse, lab/blood test, chest x-ray, ICD interrogation, then my cardiologist and my electrophysiologist both come in and check the wounds and listen to me and talk with me and answer any questions I may have.

I hope all continues to go well. You are in my prayers. God Bless!

 

[Praline]

Post-op Tests

Post-op Tests

I have an appoitment next week. It will be 5 weeks since surgery, mitral valve repair, one bypass, and Maze. I am scheduled for lab work ( blood), an EKG, a chest X-ray, and an appointment with the surgeon. I am sure they will also do the regular stuff, weight, blood pressure, listening to my heart, etc.

 

[Phyllis]

Chest Xray and ekg were the only tests Dick had for the 6 week check-up with the surgeon. He had an echo with the local cardiologist at 6 months.

 

[MikeHeim]

Wow. I don't even remember them doing an EKG. Basically they listened to my heart, asked how I was feeling, and sent me on my way. Oh wait, they did a blood test to see if I was still anemic (which I was after surgery).

 

[brocansky]

Standard Tests

Standard Tests

This is a great topic to discuss. I had a routine follow up with my surgeon who simply listened to my heart and gave me the thumbs up. He told me "when you see your cardiologist have him do a baseline echo on you." When I saw my cardio, he just listened and asked me about how I'm feeling. After I shared my surgeon's echo request, he scheduled me for one but I don't think it was 'standard' practice. After finding out about my fluid, I'm pretty glad I had the test done.

As you know, our healthcare system has much to be desired. You need to be your own advocate. It wouldn't hurt to ask for an echo if it'd make you feel better. Good luck.

 

[jcat2006]

thanks

thanks

Hi all and thanks for the feedback. One question -- My husband said it would be very painful to do a echo at this point given that he just has surguery 4 weeks ago and he thinks this is why one has not been done already. Did you all find it very painful? Either way I am going to discuss tests with his cardiologist and will make sure to mention a chest xray and echo so it sets my mind at ease.

Brocansky - its so true you really need to be your own advocate and my husband has always just put his health in the hands of the doctors, but I think things have really changed and it is necessary to go that extra mile when you are the patient...

Jen

 

[Praline]

Echo

Echo

Are you talking about an echocardiogram? I do not understand why it would be painful. It is done the same way as an EKG.

 

[geebee]

I still have some pain with an echo, especially when the tech uses the probe from my left side. I have some areas that are still sore to the touch. However, I have had 3 OHS so I would think scar tissue and trauma have created those sensitive areas.

When the tech is using the probe in the center chest area, there is no discomfort and I would think that would be the case even fairly soon after surgery.

 

[Georgia]

I had an echo at about 10 weeks out and I found it pretty painful. But there you go. They needed it and it wasn't yell out loud painful or anything. But it was a bit of a surprise.

 

[MikeHeim]

I had an echo before I left the hospital (4-5 days post-op) and two weeks ago (8 weeks post-op). I was apprehensive, but actually neither bothered me a bit. The don't do an echo through your breastbone, so they actually stayed a couple inches away from my incision at all times. One thing I just thought of: they were trying to look at my mitral valve during the echo. Perhaps if they are looking at the aortic or somewhere else in the heart they have to perform the echo differently and push in different places.

 

[ArleneT]

I had an echo done before I left the hospital. The only difficult part was trying to get into a position that didn't hurt my back, but still allowed the person doing it to get good views.

I also had an ekg and chest xrays before leaving the hospital.

Arlene

 

[DinahS]

Did you all find it very painful? Either way I am going to discuss tests with his cardiologist and will make sure to mention a chest xray and echo so it sets my mind at ease.

Jen

Oh my! YES! They did an echo on me a week after my surgery b/c they thought I was going to go home that day. It's a good thing my coumadin wasn't in range then and I had to stay at the hospital b/c I hurt so bad that I had to go back on morphine for two days. I don't know why they just didn't wait. I was bawling in the echo room with the tech and my husband and mom were holding me up. It was horrible. But I have NEVER had pain with an echo other than right after surgery.

 

[sue943]

I had a chest x-ray prior to leaving the hospital, so at about day 10. Then I had ultrasound at another hospital just over a week later when I had heart block. At six weeks I saw my cardiologist who merely checked me, no ECG or blood tests. When he wanted to take me off amiodarone he did order an ECG, so at about 3 months. At six months my GP took bloods, did an ECG and ordered an echo as I was getting chest discomfort, I saw my cardiologist a few days later and he saw the results of the ECG and bloods and said he will see me in 6 months for my anniversary check up. I don't know what the echo showed, I assume if it was bad news my GP would have contacted me.

 

[carista]

I had an echo done before I left the hospital. The only difficult part was trying to get into a position that didn't hurt my back, but still allowed the person doing it to get good views.

I also had an ekg and chest xrays before leaving the hospital.

Arlene

Exact same thing with me. Echo, Ekg and chest xrays before leaving the hospital and the only part of the echo that was painful was getting in the positions due to my back pain.