Jack's Heart Cath - "2nd Repair Procedure"

On July 19, 2010, Jack had his second repair. This procedure was a heart catheterization where his pulmonary valve was opened further with a balloon that was fed into his heart, and then inflated. The procedure lasted an amazingly short 90 minutes, and Jack did very well! He tolerated the anesthesia well, and the valveoplasty went according to plan. This means that there were no complications and the valve was opened enough, but not too much. One thing that I was worried about was a perforation, which is rare, but is a very real concern in any heart procedure.

The echo immediately following the procedure showed that the pressures in the heart were much improved. The pressure in the right ventricle (which has been pushing blood against the closed pulmonary valve since 8 weeks after conception) was down to about 20 mmHg, from over 120 mmHg. The ideal pressure is around 15. The echo the next day the pressure was back up to 45, but the difference the day before was probably due to the fact that he was sedated, and the overall trend is down. This measure of heart function should continue to improve over the next months to years.

Jack spent two nights in the hospital recovering from the procedure, and aside from some grumpiness and loss of appetite from the anesthesia, did fine. He didn't sleep much while we were there, but within a week of being home, was eating and sleeping much better.

Since the procedure, Jack has been eating better, sleeping better, and exercising and playing more frequently. People who saw him before the procedure, and then a few weeks afterward were amazed at the difference in his appearance and energy levels! The heart is so amazingly important to every aspect of the body and mind, and now that Jack's is working on all cylinders, he is soaring in terms of development and appearance!

Jack will continue to visit his cardiologist monthly for a while to ensure that the heart is recovering, and "remodeling" it's functions appropriately. If there are any issues, he may have to undergo another procedure, but if not, the doctors believe that he will be able to go without further procedures for years, or even decades!!

Enjoy the pictures of his visit below...


Below: Jack receiving his pre-procedure assessment. Yes, that is a teeny-tiny hospital gown! Is that the cutest thing you've ever seen!?! I was going to steal it, but thought better of it!



Below: I was able to hold Jack on the stretcher until he was taken back. He was a little squirmy and seemed to know he was not going to enjoy what was coming his way.



Below: Jack coming out of the anesthesia. He was so loopy!! The necklace above his head was the beginning of his "Beads of Courage" necklace. Watch for a post on that soon...