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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: 3 days to aortic valve replacement--any last-minute advice?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: 3 days to aortic valve replacement--any last-minute advice?
by Nate-jones, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Nate jones on February 22, 1999 at 14:05:29:
In Reply to: 3 days to aortic valve replacement--any last-minute advice? posted by Susan M. on February 21, 1999 at 15:10:45:
Hi, everyone! Just three days to go--will be having a St. Judes valve installed on Wednesday! Anyone have any last minute tips or advice? All contributions greatfully received. One question, I understand I will hve breathing exercises with a little blow-pump like thing. Is breathing especially difficult after the surgery--like short-breathed or feelings of suffocation? Or is this just to help get over any effects of the heart-lung machine, not necessarily related to difficulty drawing breath?
I feel blessed to have this surgery during Lent as by Easter I will be a whole new (somewhat bionic--ha ha) me!
Thanks mucho for any advice or tips anyone can think of!
Susan
Dear Susan
Good luck. I had Mitral Valve surgery in september, 1998. Prior to surgery it is a good idea to clean during your shower with anti-bacteral soap. Likewise for dental hygene, use a bacteria killing mouthwash. Also, stay away from others who may be sick such as colds or flu. You don't want something else hanging over your head.
Post surgery, the breathing is important and helps to clear your lungs and get rid of the anathesia. After surgery, your job will be to get better which requires rest, exercise and following the doctor's orders.
Post surgery you will have to carefully monitor anti-coagulant levels (probably coumadin). While the drug is not toxic it reacts with hundreds of other drugs and makes it important to know what foods you are eating and so forth. This is important since you don't want blood clots forming (i.e. if levels are too low) and you don't want them too high as it may cause spontaneous bleeding. The point is to carefully monitor your coumadin levels.
Also, be very careful and observe if you have an infection. This could include high temperature, swelling and or discharge from an incision. If you discover an infection immediately contact your surgeon who is responsible for managment of the incision.
Finally, I would purchase a digital thermoter to monitor your temperature.
Best of luck
Nathan
In Reply to: 3 days to aortic valve replacement--any last-minute advice? posted by Susan M. on February 21, 1999 at 15:10:45:
Hi, everyone! Just three days to go--will be having a St. Judes valve installed on Wednesday! Anyone have any last minute tips or advice? All contributions greatfully received. One question, I understand I will hve breathing exercises with a little blow-pump like thing. Is breathing especially difficult after the surgery--like short-breathed or feelings of suffocation? Or is this just to help get over any effects of the heart-lung machine, not necessarily related to difficulty drawing breath?
I feel blessed to have this surgery during Lent as by Easter I will be a whole new (somewhat bionic--ha ha) me!
Thanks mucho for any advice or tips anyone can think of!
Susan
Dear Susan
Good luck. I had Mitral Valve surgery in september, 1998. Prior to surgery it is a good idea to clean during your shower with anti-bacteral soap. Likewise for dental hygene, use a bacteria killing mouthwash. Also, stay away from others who may be sick such as colds or flu. You don't want something else hanging over your head.
Post surgery, the breathing is important and helps to clear your lungs and get rid of the anathesia. After surgery, your job will be to get better which requires rest, exercise and following the doctor's orders.
Post surgery you will have to carefully monitor anti-coagulant levels (probably coumadin). While the drug is not toxic it reacts with hundreds of other drugs and makes it important to know what foods you are eating and so forth. This is important since you don't want blood clots forming (i.e. if levels are too low) and you don't want them too high as it may cause spontaneous bleeding. The point is to carefully monitor your coumadin levels.
Also, be very careful and observe if you have an infection. This could include high temperature, swelling and or discharge from an incision. If you discover an infection immediately contact your surgeon who is responsible for managment of the incision.
Finally, I would purchase a digital thermoter to monitor your temperature.
Best of luck
Nathan
