Another story thread.....
Thread Starter
Former Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59,195
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From: Ventura, California, USA
The rest of the repair is done and the surgeon tells the perfusionist to rewarm. The body has been at 24 degrees since coming off of circ arrest and now will be warmed to close to 38 degrees. Erik's blood has circulated through the machine and a filter several times. His platelets will not function properly, if at all, the clotting factor's in his blood are depleted. The danger now is whether or not Erik will bleed to death. On top of that, Erik's blood pressure has to be kept at a very steady level so as not to ruin the repair, but high enough to nourish his body.
The high potassium solution that has been being given to his heart to keep it asleep is washed out and the surgeon calls for the paddles.
Charge...shock.....charge...shock...charge...shock . nothing is happening, the heart is not attaining a rhythm.
The high potassium solution that has been being given to his heart to keep it asleep is washed out and the surgeon calls for the paddles.
Charge...shock.....charge...shock...charge...shock . nothing is happening, the heart is not attaining a rhythm.
Thread Starter
Former Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59,195
Likes: 1
From: Ventura, California, USA
On the next shock, the heart starts beating and retains an adequate rhythm without pacing. Donor platlets and FFP are given to him to replenish his clotting factors. The rest of the operation is completed. Erik is transported to the CCU. Still asleep, still intubated. His brain function is unknown. He is on vasoactive medications and sedation.
In the CCU he is weaned from the drugs as well as the ventilator. That night there is a big problem. Erik's blood pressure and heart rate suddenly raise, it's unknown why, every thing was going well. If his bp goes too high he could rupture his new repair and bleed to death in the CCU.
In the CCU he is weaned from the drugs as well as the ventilator. That night there is a big problem. Erik's blood pressure and heart rate suddenly raise, it's unknown why, every thing was going well. If his bp goes too high he could rupture his new repair and bleed to death in the CCU.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Calgary
I've gotta say, this whole procedure doesn't sound too hard. They're in and out of him before your lunch cools over at the eatery by the parking lot.
Blood pressure rising? Poke a hole in em and let a little pressure out.
Blood pressure rising? Poke a hole in em and let a little pressure out.
