input about my moms post op (in ICU) condition

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Hello

I am a pre nursing student whose Mom just underwent heart surgery. Her aortic valve was replaced with a pig valve and her tricuspid was reconstructed or revamped without replacing it. The tricuspid valve is still leaking but is much better than it was. The Dr said she was much better off with a small leak than trying to replace it (which isnt done too often). She also had a bypass of the left anterior descending artery. They took a vein from her chest to use for the bypass instead of a leg vein and this will save her from leg discomfort. The Dr said her heart was huge.

The surgery was performed on the 10th. (tonight is the 13th)She is still in the ICU. They took her off ventilator the day after..only to replace it that evening. She has developed a fever of 101. Her BP is dropping ...it is now 100/ 50. Her urine output was poor..so they put her on lasix--so now has improved. Today she is still on ventilator.

Could anyone give me some insight into what I am looking at here? Are these things expected setbacks that many patients have? Should this blood pressure reading set off red flags for me?

I am very worried and hate being so far away from her during this ordeal.

I would really appreciate any input you might have

Thanks

Patty

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Hello

I am a pre nursing student whose Mom just underwent heart surgery. Her aortic valve was replaced with a pig valve and her tricuspid was reconstructed or revamped without replacing it. The tricuspid valve is still leaking but is much better than it was. The Dr said she was much better off with a small leak than trying to replace it (which isnt done too often). She also had a bypass of the left anterior descending artery. They took a vein from her chest to use for the bypass instead of a leg vein and this will save her from leg discomfort. The Dr said her heart was huge.

The surgery was performed on the 10th. (tonight is the 13th)She is still in the ICU. They took her off ventilator the day after..only to replace it that evening. She has developed a fever of 101. Her BP is dropping ...it is now 100/ 50. Her urine output was poor..so they put her on lasix--so now has improved. Today she is still on ventilator.

Could anyone give me some insight into what I am looking at here? Are these things expected setbacks that many patients have? Should this blood pressure reading set off red flags for me?

I am very worried and hate being so far away from her during this ordeal.

I would really appreciate any input you might have

Thanks

Patty

And I'm sure that folks here really sympathize with your plight. However, it's not easy to say what should be expected with your Mom without knowing her full medical condition. You really need to discuss this with your Mother's physician; let him know that you are a pre-nursing (or pre-healthcare, if you wish) student...

Good luck to you and your Mom....

NurseFirst

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i agree with previous poster. However, if possibly you could give some of her medical conditions/history we could offer some OPINIONS on what is up.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It would be irresponsible for us to 2nd guess your mom's health care team, not to mention liability issues.

You can do your own reading, of course, about the Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, and nursing care of a post-op cardiothoracic patient. You will probably also want to give other members of the family plenty of support during what is undoubtably a tough time. They may question you. I used to tell family members I hadn't gotten to that part yet. (Now I tell them if it has to do w/anyone over 15 lbs, I don't know the answer.) Just don't get in over your head!

Good Luck, we'll all be praying for you @ allnurses.

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i agree with previous poster. However, if possibly you could give some of her medical conditions/history we could offer some OPINIONS on what is up.

Hi and thanks to all who responded. My mother was not in the best of health going in to all of this. She has COPD and congenitive heart failure. She is also overweight. That being said...for the last 1.5 years she has been exercising almost every day (curves) and dieting. She was looking and feeling fantastic. Her stamina was incredible. Before, she wasnt even able to walk up a flight of stairs without needing a break...now she can keep up with all of us walking around for a long time (at the mall etc) The doctors had once said that she wouldnt be a candidate for the surgery because of the underlying health issues...but decided she could handle it now because of her weight loss--increased pulmonary strength, etc.

My sister just called..Said that her BP is 118 now and fever has dropped. This is from tylenol and other meds. She said they are "sucking brown crap" out her lungs--and thinks there is an infection. Her blood count is elevated.

I know you guys cant tell me specifically what this all means or what to expect--I am just hoping for a little insight...or I don't know what I am asking. I JUST HATE being so far away. I am really scared.

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I'm afraid even if she is doing great, you are still going to be worried. That's the lot of a loving daughter when mom is ill. My sincere wishes that she speeds thru her recovery phase without complications, and will be back at home before you know it. Your mom, and your family, will be in my prayers.

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Hi and thanks to all who responded. My mother was not in the best of health going in to all of this. She has COPD and congenitive heart failure. She is also overweight. That being said...for the last 1.5 years she has been exercising almost every day (curves) and dieting. She was looking and feeling fantastic. Her stamina was incredible. Before, she wasnt even able to walk up a flight of stairs without needing a break...now she can keep up with all of us walking around for a long time (at the mall etc) The doctors had once said that she wouldnt be a candidate for the surgery because of the underlying health issues...but decided she could handle it now because of her weight loss--increased pulmonary strength, etc.

My sister just called..Said that her BP is 118 now and fever has dropped. This is from tylenol and other meds. She said they are "sucking brown crap" out her lungs--and thinks there is an infection. Her blood count is elevated.

I know you guys cant tell me specifically what this all means or what to expect--I am just hoping for a little insight...or I don't know what I am asking. I JUST HATE being so far away. I am really scared.

Ok, these are just a few things I've was thinking, from reading your posts. Please keep in mind that I do not know a full H&P on your mom.

- it can be very common to have a temp post op

-vent related pneumonias are very common. This may also explain the temp, as well as the "brown crap" and CBC.

-you mom has COPD and CHF, I would expect her to have a few more challenges, from a pulmonary perspective.

-her pressure is not dangerously low. You do not want it too high, as she does not need any sort of cardiac challenge right now, in light of her surgery and diagnoses.

It's pretty normal to be stressed about any sick family member. Try not to panic and worry and make yourself sick.

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I agree with the previous poster. The COPD is the underlying issue i would think, even tho her cardiac issues have been "repaired", the COPD is still there. So ventilater pneumonia would be my best guest. Also, remember, temp post op is a GOOD thing lots of times. Doesn't mean its bad all the time. What matters is how high for how long, if there's a temp, remember there's healing going on too. That pressure sounds good to me, like the other poster said, remember she had bypass surgery so you don't want to stress out those new bypasses and stitches, if her pressure were higher it would make them more stressed structurally. And there are TONS of drugs to give for pressures that are too low too.

I'm sorry you are so far away and scared. i hope she gets better way soon and you get to hug her and cheer her on thru cardiac rehab!!!!

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Specializes in PACU,Trauma ICU,CVICU,Med-Surg,EENT.
Hello

I am a pre nursing student whose Mom just underwent heart surgery. Her aortic valve was replaced with a pig valve and her tricuspid was reconstructed or revamped without replacing it. The tricuspid valve is still leaking but is much better than it was. The Dr said she was much better off with a small leak than trying to replace it (which isnt done too often). She also had a bypass of the left anterior descending artery. They took a vein from her chest to use for the bypass instead of a leg vein and this will save her from leg discomfort. The Dr said her heart was huge.

The surgery was performed on the 10th. (tonight is the 13th)She is still in the ICU. They took her off ventilator the day after..only to replace it that evening. She has developed a fever of 101. Her BP is dropping ...it is now 100/ 50. Her urine output was poor..so they put her on lasix--so now has improved. Today she is still on ventilator.

Could anyone give me some insight into what I am looking at here? Are these things expected setbacks that many patients have? Should this blood pressure reading set off red flags for me?

I am very worried and hate being so far away from her during this ordeal.

I would really appreciate any input you might have

Thanks

Patty

Patty,I've pm'ed you!:)

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