We ended our August at Children’s completing Frank’s first catheterization in over a year. Bright and early we arrive.
According to Boston Children's Hospital; Cardiac catheterization is a specialized procedure in which a long, flexible tube — a catheter — is inserted into a vein or artery and guided into the heart.
Having this catheterization doctors are able to view Frank's heart in detail. He also, received an MRI and x ray to further provide additional information.
Many times a heart cath can be completed to assist allowing the heart to function better. The only interventions needed in this cath was Aortopulmonary Collaterals. This is very common with single ventricle patients and is done when the heart begins to form extra blood vessels or when extra blood flow is needed. In this case Frank's body begin to develop additional blood vessels that had to be closed (coiled).
For discharge the only requests is to
Limit physical activity
For 1 week avoid:
Avoid heavy lifting
Walking is okay
No water submerging for 4 days
Can shower
And back to his normal diet.
Next steps will be the care team will have a model of his heart designed to assist with the plan of action. We are currently in talks of our next surgery. Looking at a bi ventricle repair or a Fontan.
Check out our video of the day.
We will now spend the weekend resting and loving on our little guy. Now home for 24 hours and our kiddo is back to being Frank.