Open Heart for PFO/ASD?

I had my Tee Test yesterday.

It was way worse then I expected.

My sedation was minimal. I was Wide Awake.  The probe down my throat was very painful-It Hurt Alot- During the whole Echo.  Maybe I wasnt numbed enough?  I already wasnt numb not even 5 minutes after the end of the test.

Also my Hole in my heart is in a different place then thought & there is a small chance I will need open heart surgery.  I am freaking out & totally Bummed.  He said something like to close to the edge- I already forget.

My Cardio- Must be very good ( I hope)- because Both Nurses said if anyone can fix this with a Catheter procedure he can. 

I need to set up an Appt to discuss my test Results with my Cardio(a Different Dr did the test)...Although he called My Dr. with the results & thats when he told me he thinks he can still fix it.

I feel like I am always unlucky & I will end opn not being a Candidate for The Transcathetor  closure.

How many of you had had to have open Heart Surgery for your PFO/ASD?

Can you share your experience.

Also- this Dr asked me who my Neurologist was...I dont have one.   Should I ?

No one ever sent me to see one.

Thanks,

Dejaboo

Hi, Dejaboo, I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the TEE test.  I think for most of us the TEE was quite uneventful.  It does sound as if you were not sedated enough.  When I had mine done I did not fall asleep but felt quite drowsy;  I did not feel a thing.  Did they also spray your throat to numb it?

With regards to the neurologist, you may not need one if you no longer have neurological symptoms (I know you mentioned you had a TIA at one point).  However, your doctor MAY need a supporting second opinion before going ahead with the procedure.  I say MAY because it might depend on the facility where the procedure will be performed, the doctor, etc.  I'm not sure what the current protocol is since this is emerging science (PFO closure through catherer) so it seems to change frequently.  Each facility, doctor, state, etc. may have its way of doing things.  Check with your cardio to see if he needs the supporting opinion of the neuro before going ahead with the procedure.

I hope all goes well for you.  You have been through a lot already and it would be easier on your body if they could perform the less invasive procedure with catherer closure.  You sound like you have a good cardio who will take great care of you!  We are all sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Greenhope

Miss Helen- Sorry your TEES were terrible too! But glad it wasn't just me.
I cant imagine recovering quick from open heart surgery & you have had it twice- wow.

greenhope- They did numb my throat- I had to gargle with that terrible 'novacain like' gel & swallow it & then they sprayed my throat about 5 times. My mouth was pretty numb- but not my throat. if I have to have the test again I will speak up & also ask if I can be more sedated. The Dr pushed on my stomach when they ran the saline bubble. I did that 4 times & was like a normal person- no Sleepiness at all- I even watched the Monitor

I so hope it is just the Cathetor procedure. I will let you know what I hear. Still waiting for my Dr to call back : (

CatMom5- Im sorry you have had so many problems after your Procedure. I hope things take a turn for the better & improve each day.
I did have an IV drug & I felt it when they 1st gave it to me. But it only seemed to last for about 2 minutes really.

Thanks for all your replies.
Dejaboo

Hi mim50,

I had my PFO/ASA closure done on April 29th. At my 6 month echo with bubble studdy it was determined that my PFO was still somewhat open. Both the echo technician and my Doctor said that this was normal and that most PFO's take at least one year before they are totally closed by the scar tissue. The technician said that she rarely sees one closed at 6 months. My Doctor does not want to see me again for another 6 months and we'll do another bubble study. He did keep me on the Plavix and 325mg aspirin though. Does your doctor want to go in after only 6 months?

Mim50,

I'm sorry to hear about your family member. I haven't personally heard of anyone needing a second device and in my discussions with my doctor the possibility was never even mentioned. I was curious though after your response so I did some research and apparently this is done in certain cases where a large shunt remains after the first device is implanted and it is done at the 6 month mark.

It would seem that your family member still has moderate to large shunting of his PFO. Perhaps you could contact the authors of this article for further information. There were several other discussions I found on this topic. I did a google search on "second PFO closure device" and they came up. Good luck!

mlm50 - did your family member ever get the second device?  I just had one done last week (second one).

CatMom5 - I had a second device put in on 4/12/2010.  Four years after the first one was placed.  A large residual shunt on valsalva was there with first device, so, they decided to put a second one in.  Just had my 2wk follow up echo and everything is still in place.  I will have a bubble study done in June to see if things are closed up.  They wanted to do bubbles today but I didn't want to do valsalva test (bearing down) because I want it to heal nice and tight first before I bear down.  That is my choice, nothing from the doctor indicating it would do any harm.  Anyway, so far, so good.  I can sleep on my sides again -- was having a hard time breathing when lying on my side for a few months prior to second device.

For those looking for mlm, the last time this member was online was 12/01/2008. I do not know if they are still reading or not.


Sorry.



Kitt

CatMom5, just wondering what your doctor's reasoning was not to give you another device. After 2 years, I have slight residual shunting across the device. Has your doctor told you that there is no added risk of another stroke?
Thanks in advance for your reply