Atrial Septal Defect Repair via Cardiac Cath.
Hi Everyone. My daughter is scheduled to have her atrial septal defect finally repaired in exactly two weeks. We found somebody that is confident he can do it via cardiac catheterization and has alot of experience. He is a bit concerned that part of her septal wall is quite thin but overall feels quite confident. As a back up, we are reserving OR time in case it can not be repaired via cardiac cath. In this case it will be repaired via open heart. So I am wondering what people’s experiences have been with either procedure. I know everyone’s case is unique, but I am still interested. Even though everyone tells me it is a simple fix I am still a bundle of nerves. My experiences as a nurse only make matters worse, not better! (You know I imagine every possible scenario.) I am trying to leave it God’s hands and am grateful that at least she has something which is operable. Still these two weeks won’t pass soon enough. Any input and prayers/wishes would be appreciated.
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My son had an ASD device closure one year ago and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ll admit that I was a wreck in the weeks leading up to the heart cath. The idea of open heart surgery had me really freaked out.
Feel free to email me if you’d like to talk some more. There are advantages and disadvantages to some of the different ASD closure devices.
Stephanie
http://www.ralphcrew.blogspot.com
my son had an ASD repair at 2 1/2, he just turned 5 a week ago. It was a good experience surgery wise. In fact his cardiologist just cleared him for every two year visits instead of one year. The repair is perfect in her words. He had his repaired via OHS. He went in and out of anesthesia beautifully. He did unfortunatelt contract a MRSA infection in the wound that presented us with quite a few problems after the fact. His surgeon (Dr. Victor Morrell in Pittsburgh) was amazing. Have you had a second opinion about it being done through cath.? I know my surgeon told me that because of the location he could not/ would not attempt to do it that way. Does having the OR as a back=up extyend his time under anesthesia a great amount?? Good luck to you! I know it is so scary and tense going in but Marco had so much more energy and stamina after the repair, it was worth it!
Praying for your family in Australia!
Jacob had a full AVSD repair at 4 months. He had extremely low heart function prior to it and severe pulmonary hypertension. He had to be admitted at 6 weeks old and have a broviac line fitted so that he could recieve IV milrinone until the op to improve the function otherwise the surgery was a no go. After the op he deteriorated as his mitral … Read Morevalve was such a crazy shape they couldn’t repair it properly. He had further open heart to fix it a month later. All kids are different and most will experience some form of complication after the surgery but THIS IS EXPECTED. 99% of the complications are completely treatable such as kylothorax (totally spelt wrong probably) or even a collapsed lung (not nearly as awful as it sounds…it’s just when the lung is a bit wet and can be fixed with physio and meds). These are minor problems and the docs won’t bat an eyelid so don’t stress too much if they happen.
Best advice is get some really good baby oil and when your baby is in ICU massage them so that you feel you are doing something to help sooth them and also keep that momma baby bond. Also leave a jumper of yours (not clean) with your smell on it under their pillow. It’s not the medical stuff that’s important, it’s the little things that you can do to feel involved. Rub their hands a lot too cos they usaully tie them down to stop them… Read More pulling out the ventilator tubing. Some kids won’t let you touch their hands for a while after if you don’t keep up the contact.
Most of all don’t worry. The surgeries, while serious, have a success rate of about 98-100% in most countries. Jacob is now flying it and is as strong as an ox at 16 months old. Good luck XXXX
Can I post a prayer request for your daughter on my blog?
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. Thank you also to Karen for the prayer request on her blog. It warms my heart to think of Karen all the way in Australia praying for Donna Marie. Thanks again everyone!
Well, I had thought that device closures were more common. It is totally different than open heart surgery and that is what is so great about it, if you ask me.
We had the procedure done in Kansas City last summer when he was just 14 months old. My son had his preadmission testing in the afternoon prior. We spent the night together at Ronald McDonald house and went into the hospital early the next morning. Ralph’s was the 1st or 2nd case of the day. I went to the cath lab with him and waited in the room with toys next door. When the nurse took him into the cath room I went to the waiting room.
The whole procedure probably took 2 hours. They had some additional testing to do for him. I recieved several phone calls during the procedure letting me know how things were going. I met Ralph in the hallway about 30 minutes after he woke up from the anesthesia. He was on oxygen and sounded quite croupy. I think that the breathing tube plus the trans-esophageal echo irritated his throat.
Anyway, when we met in the hallway he was sitting up! He did look a little tired and crabby, but really much better than I expected. We were escorted upstairs to his room. We watched movies, ate snacks and played with weaning the oxygen for the rest of the day and evening. (Ralph had been on oxygen for awhile and I knew he would be going home with it-so no big deal for us)
The doc who did the procedure checked in on us the next morning and we were discharged and left the hospital after lunch! I had made contingency arrangements for childcare for my other children in case he required open heart surgery. After all the trouble I went to, it seemed a bit strange to be walking out of the hospital the very next day. I sincerely hope that everything goes as smoothly and as uneventfully for you!
By the way, my son had the Amplatzer device implanted. There are other devices that your surgeon may prefer but I think the Amplatzer uses one of the smaller catheters. This was important because my son was very small with small veins.
Best wishes,
Stephanie Nance
http://www.ralphcrew.blogspot.com
Please let us know how things are…Our thoughts are with you.
Justin
I love jesus and jesus loves us so much. Especially the little angels that he gave to us. You have to trust in God and believe that he is in control. I will be praying for your baby although I don’t know her name. But I know the mighty God I serve and he will be right there on the oparation table. Let’s believe that together and God will be there•