We just got a call that Ethan is off the heart/lung bypass machine and now they are working to disconnect it. His echo looked good and so after he is disconnected from the bypass machine they will work on getting him closed back up. He is still doing well and we should be able to talk to Dr. Kaza in about an hour. We will update after speaking with him.
*Just to answer your question, Jenn. The heart/lung bypass machine basically makes the blood bypass his heart but keeps it flowing to the rest of his body. If they have to repair the actual heart (like as in his 1st surgery), they will stop his heart so that it is not moving while they are trying to work on it. However, if they are not working directly on the heart, they will let it keep beating since there are less complications than if they stop it all together. They still don't want it beating like normal (because according to our surgeon it can "suck air into it") so they make it "fibrillate" instead of beat. This basically means that it is moving but not in a synchronized manner (but at least it's still moving). After the repair is over, they make it beat in a normal manner again.
---Allison
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Surgery Update #4
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3 comments:
I'm glad that things are going well so far. Glad that the surg is all mast over and Ethan (and your fam) can can just work on recovery. My prayers cont to be with you guys.
Just want you to know that I have been thinking of you today with Ethan going in for such a big surgery. Great news that he is off the heart lung machine. I hope he continues to be stable and experiences no bumps in the recovery road. Thanks for all the updates. Sending you cyber hugs and will definately be checking back for updates>
(HUGS)
Just cheking in too see how things are going! Sounds like you are in control! Planning on making a visit up there this week hope to catch up with you!
Rebecca and Mike Patton
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