My Dad is in CVICU...need help!!

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Ok..for all of you CVICU nurses i need your oppinions...im a fairly new med/surg RN and I need your expertise on my dad's case......He is 59 yrs old and had open heart surgery (5 bypasses) 3 weeks ago...when they took him of the vent the next day he coded...they put the vent back in for a week, took it off and had to put it back in again...he had double pnuemonia and "lung damage" per the doc's that is making him require too much oxygen....he now has a trach and is still on the vent...he developed a blood clot in each leg like 2-3 days after surgery which they say is very unusual to develope that soon...they gave him heparin and he started bleeding internally around his kidney...they say he is not a surgery candidate at this point...the bleeding tho has stabilized for now....he has diverticulosis, he is carrying almost 60lbs of extra fluid of him, his kidney's were in failure but are starting to come around again, today they told us he has developed a blood clot in his lung and they cant do anything about it...no heparin b/c of the internal bleed and no filter b/c it's already in the lung..... Im losing it...they say he may not make it...they say they have never seen someone so young have so many complications...mind you he was not sick b/f this at all...his lung damage they say is from smoking for 20 yrs in his younger days, tho he hasn't smoked for like 25 yrs, and he was in a fire several yrs ago....Im soooo lost.. i try to pieces together but i can't and im sure im still missing some peices... I'm just wondering if anyone has advice or suggestions....you can be totally honest w/ me...i can take it....anything will be helpful.... thanks so much and sorry for the book...

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Specializes in ltc and med surg.

I don't have advice, just hugs and prayers. I am sorry to hear about your dad.

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Specializes in CTICU.

We cannot provide medical advice here. You should listen to your dad's physicians, and ask for clarification if there are things you don't understand about his care.

I'm very sorry your dad is so ill. Best wishes to you.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Emilee it sounds like you are going through such a difficult time, it's so hard to watch someone we love when they are so sick and there is little we can do to help. I am sure your fathers doctors and nursing staff are keeping you informed of what they are doing and how he is responding to the treatment. I am not sure that there is any advice that we can offer here that will help, but please know that we are here to offer support, thoughts and prayers for you and your family through this very difficult time.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

((Emilee) sending good thoughts your way, and prayers for you & your family.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

No advice except listen to physicians ask questions, talk to the nurses. prayers and hugs for you and your family.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.

It sounds like they are referrring to ARDS or ALI with him requiring high amounts of Oxygen. ARDS is just an advanced form of ALI. The heparin isnt going to help rid him of the clots he has, only prevent further clots. The only way at this point to get rid of the PE he has is to administer thrombolytics which they can do due to the fact the hes bleeding and that he is only 3 weeks out from a major surgery. Most surgeons I know wont administer thrombolytics for months after bypass surgery. It is not NORMAL, however it is actually common for bypass patients to develop some post op renal issues. Despite quitting smoking 25 years ago, 20 years of smoking is significant. A lot of people in general dont understand that you might not see the effects of smoking for many years down the road. The only thing you can do is pray and support your dad. Keep in contact with the Docs daily during their rounds. Rest assured that they are monitoring him very closely................bloodwork and all. 5 Bypasses in a normaly patient without the involvment of other organs is a major assult on the body. It is going to take a lot of time to get through it. Im curious........what did they say was the reason he coded the first time?

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My Only Advise Is To Be His Kid Right Now. You Are Not The Nurse. I Know The Family Appreciates Your Insight, But You Need To Be His Daughter. Tell Him How Much You Love Him And Keep Praying For Him. Be As Strong As You Can For Your Mom, Etc. And Realize That Really, You Have No Control Over What Is Happening........

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