Internal Bleeding to brain after Open Heart Surgery

[test123965]

My mom underwent open heart surgery on 6th March 2012, was replaced two valves, repaired one valve. One month recovery was ok. Suddenly, she started complaining about headache and fever. She was admitted to hospital and we came to know that there was an internal bleeding to the brain. Her condition is critical and she is in ventilator. Does anybody know what the survival rate would be. I am praying god for her recovery

[test123965]

Thank you so much. I was really very busy visiting hospital, taking care at home etc. Got the chance today to check my mails. My mom was on ventilator for two days. Now, she is able to breathe. Doctor will take a chest x-ray tomorrow and see if he can start the blood thinning drug Acetrom which actually caused the internal bleeding to brain. Doctor stopped this drug for a week, but he is planning to restart from tomorrow. we are very scared how things would turn out to be.

I really want to thank you for your reply. It was so caring and pls include my mom in your prayers.

[mytreeoflife]

Hi,
test123965, I will keep you and your mother in my prayers. As, Ed said, you have to take in to play many factors. And, with the right mindset miracles can happen. I hope you get your miracle, I really do. God Bless.

[ed34]

Hi,
    I'm really sorry to hear about your Mum, I had the same thing with mine. In those days though, angioplasty wasn't available and other more advanced technology. I had to sign a document to give permission for surgery. She had a massive bleed, and they estimated 10% chance survival of surgery, but she would die if they didn't operate. She did survive, but her speech was a mess, however, after about 2 years it was 98% normal again. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can't really give a number. It depends on so many factors, even the will power of the patient. The important first step is to obviously stop the bleeding, and the rest patience. Is she heavily sedated? Does the ventilator do ALL the work? or is she breathing partially for herself? Another key thing to remember is the size of the bleed doesn't affect the outcome so much, it's the location.
My wife was on a ventilator for about 3 weeks, and unconscious due to heavy sedation (she had pneumonia). I held her hand every day and spoke to her. It's amazing, she remembers so much of what I said to her and she said it really helped. I know praying is important, but talking to the patient with reassurance is also important. My wife suffered a large stroke while on ventilation, but two years on, she has got 99% of the problems resolved.
I'm sorry I can't offer more, but that's because nobody knows and I know how the fear, anger, frustration eats you alive 24/7, I've been there twice. I really feel for you and I too will pray for your Mother.