Comments on: “Is Stroke A Risk During Valve Surgery?” Asks Debbie http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/ Former Patient And Author, Adam Pick, Blogs About Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: marina http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-40625 marina Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:57:09 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-40625 Hello please need help, I had a stroke 5 months ago and I dont have cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. I have a hole in my heart and mitral valve prolapse still waiting to talk to a surgeon but I am so scared about having strokes during surgery, I am on blood thinners for now please someone help me can I get a stroke during sirgery? Hello please need help, I had a stroke 5 months ago and I dont have cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. I have a hole in my heart and mitral valve prolapse still waiting to talk to a surgeon but I am so scared about having strokes during surgery, I am on blood thinners for now please someone help me can I get a stroke during sirgery?

]]> By: JOSEPH http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-28402 JOSEPH Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:19:12 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-28402 ADAM...AS A CANDIDATE FOR VALVE REPLACEMENT WIHIN THE NEXT 5 MONTHS WHAT STEPS ARE CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN TO MINIMIZE EXCESSIVE BLEEDING AND STROKE??? AND IS THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SITUATION ONE OF IMPROVEMENT IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS SINCE THE INITIAL TEST OF THE TRANSCATHETER SAPIEN AND OTHERS. THANKS ADAM…AS A CANDIDATE FOR VALVE REPLACEMENT WIHIN THE NEXT 5 MONTHS WHAT STEPS ARE CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN TO MINIMIZE EXCESSIVE BLEEDING AND STROKE??? AND IS THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SITUATION ONE OF IMPROVEMENT IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS SINCE THE INITIAL TEST OF THE TRANSCATHETER SAPIEN AND OTHERS. THANKS

]]> By: Ross Parrott http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-7994 Ross Parrott Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:45:46 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-7994 Testing for stroke I suspect that I suffered a surgically induced stroke came from the behaviour of the Cardiologist and the Surgeon whilst I was in recovery. Besides I had the known effects of the Anaesthetic and Pump Head. I still forget words. My operation was on 1st December and my 3 months recovery is is not complete for about 2 weeks. Forgotten words happens to most people and gets worse as they age, I am 63. I think my lost words symptom is worse than it was before the operation but I have no quantifiable proof. At worst, any stroke I have had is mild. Although I hate being less articulate my main worry is the risk of further stroke events, I would also like do whatever I can to minimise such risk. I would like to point out that plaque caused strokes are in the same family as heart artery blockages (corrected with stents or bypasses). People who have had stents or bypasses need reduce stroke risk. (cholesterol, blood pressure, exercise, stress etc.) The basic test they conducted was to have me squeeze their fingers, to note my strength and to compare my left and right hand. This was done when I was in recovery and even though I am naturally left handed my left hand was weaker than the right. I was also halucinating and apparently behaving strangely (reported by the nurses)?? Next the cardioligist came in and said that I seem to have suffered some kind of event and it seems to have come from one of the carotid arteries. He said that he had booked me in for a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Later the speech pathologist came in and just talked with me. The next day however the Sugeon came in when I was cleaning my teeth with my left hand, he seemed very pleased and called in the nurse to see. The following day the Speech Pathologist tested me again and I was able to look at a stick diagram and draw it from memory. Finally the Stroke Specialist came in for a vist and we talked for approximately one minute. No one actually actually stated that they thought I had sufferred a stroke or were even looking for it. My GP was never advised what had happened. After returning home I had a few head aches and returned to the Hospital emergency department and they took a blood sample to look for any of the stroke markers. I have managed to collect the Xray, MRI images and a few reports. I have made an appointment with the stroke surgeon (23/2). I hope to find out: * Why they think that I had a stroke? * Could it have been a mini stroke? * Was there any evidence on the images? * What specifically needs to be done to reduce the future risk? * I would like to be set at ease kind regards Ross Parrott Testing for stroke

I suspect that I suffered a surgically induced stroke came from the behaviour of the Cardiologist and the Surgeon whilst I was in recovery.

Besides I had the known effects of the Anaesthetic and Pump Head. I still forget words. My operation was on 1st December and my 3 months recovery is is not complete for about 2 weeks. Forgotten words happens to most people and gets worse as they age, I am 63. I think my lost words symptom is worse than it was before the operation but I have no quantifiable proof. At worst, any stroke I have had is mild. Although I hate being less articulate my main worry is the risk of further stroke events, I would also like do whatever I can to minimise such risk.

I would like to point out that plaque caused strokes are in the same family as heart artery blockages (corrected with stents or bypasses). People who have had stents or bypasses need reduce stroke risk. (cholesterol, blood pressure, exercise, stress etc.)

The basic test they conducted was to have me squeeze their fingers, to note my strength and to compare my left and right hand. This was done when I was in recovery and even though I am naturally left handed my left hand was weaker than the right. I was also halucinating and apparently behaving strangely (reported by the nurses)??

Next the cardioligist came in and said that I seem to have suffered some kind of event and it seems to have come from one of the carotid arteries. He said that he had booked me in for a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Later the speech pathologist came in and just talked with me.

The next day however the Sugeon came in when I was cleaning my teeth with my left hand, he seemed very pleased and called in the nurse to see.

The following day the Speech Pathologist tested me again and I was able to look at a stick diagram and draw it from memory.

Finally the Stroke Specialist came in for a vist and we talked for approximately one minute.

No one actually actually stated that they thought I had sufferred a stroke or were even looking for it. My GP was never advised what had happened.

After returning home I had a few head aches and returned to the Hospital emergency department and they took a blood sample to look for any of the stroke markers.

I have managed to collect the Xray, MRI images and a few reports. I have made an appointment with the stroke surgeon (23/2). I hope to find out:
* Why they think that I had a stroke?
* Could it have been a mini stroke?
* Was there any evidence on the images?
* What specifically needs to be done to reduce the future risk?
* I would like to be set at ease

kind regards
Ross Parrott

]]> By: Vernon Young http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-7993 Vernon Young Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:17:17 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-7993 Adam, when I had my surgery at the end of July 2008, I had previously suffered a minor stroke and this was a concern of my Surgeon. During my surgery, I understand that Heparin was introduced into my bloodstream while I was on the heart lung machine. And then, of course, it was continued after surgery during my recuperation and eventually I was placed on Coumadin because an artificial valve was inserted. I have to take Coumadin (Warfarin) for the remainder of my life. This reduces the risk of stroke and bloodclots. The young lady's concern should be answered by the Surgeon. He can tell her how he will approach this problem to protect her mother. Adam, when I had my surgery at the end of July 2008, I had previously suffered a minor stroke and this was a concern of my Surgeon. During my surgery, I understand that Heparin was introduced into my bloodstream while I was on the heart lung machine. And then, of course, it was continued after surgery during my recuperation and eventually I was placed on Coumadin because an artificial valve was inserted. I have to take Coumadin (Warfarin) for the remainder of my life. This reduces the risk of stroke and bloodclots. The young lady’s concern should be answered by the Surgeon. He can tell her how he will approach this problem to protect her mother.

]]> By: Adam Pick http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-7992 Adam Pick Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:44:23 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-7992 Hi Ross, Thanks for providing all of the extra insight specific to heart surgery and stroke! Great points! I'm curious... You write that you think you experienced stroke during surgery. What specifically makes you feel that way (symptoms, etc.)? Again, thanks for your help!!! Adam Hi Ross,

Thanks for providing all of the extra insight specific to heart surgery and stroke! Great points!

I’m curious… You write that you think you experienced stroke during surgery. What specifically makes you feel that way (symptoms, etc.)?

Again, thanks for your help!!!

Adam

]]> By: Ross Parrott http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/comment-page-1/#comment-7985 Ross Parrott Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:00:48 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/02/18/stroke-cardiac-bypass-surgery-during-after-valve/#comment-7985 Adam, as I understand it, heart surgically induced stroke comes in several forms: Briefly, * Air embolism whereby an air bubble (mostly Nitrogen & Oxygen) blocks one of brain blood vessels. It is primarally controlled by the mechanical degassing the heart after the primary procedure has been completed. The other tactic is to completely flood the open chest wound with CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)after the chest has been opened but before any of the vessels or heart has undergone any incisions. This works because CO2 is 25 times more soluble in blood than the N2 and O2 of air. If a CO2 gas bubble finds its way to the brain it is dissolved before any permanent damage occurs. * Thrombosis or blood clot find the way to the brain. This is controlled by blood thinners, heperin (I think?) during sugery and Warfarin after. * The third is by fragments of plaque, calcium or even suture off-cuts. These are mostly present in the heart or the vessels and are disturbed during surgery. The common way of preventing them getting into the brain is with a net filter tempoally placed in the Aorta (also in the pulmonary vein to protect the lungs). Once again the placement should be done very early in the procedure before any other work is done on the heart itself. These are all relatively simple things but their successful application is still dependant upon the training, experience and skill of the surgeon. I am neither qualified nor licenced. My knowlerdge has been obtained through personal research. My effort to understand these things has been motivated by my own suspected surgically induced stroke. kind regards Ross Parrott Adam, as I understand it, heart surgically induced stroke comes in several forms: Briefly,
* Air embolism whereby an air bubble (mostly Nitrogen & Oxygen) blocks one of brain blood vessels. It is primarally controlled by the mechanical degassing the heart after the primary procedure has been completed. The other tactic is to completely flood the open chest wound with CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)after the chest has been opened but before any of the vessels or heart has undergone any incisions. This works because CO2 is 25 times more soluble in blood than the N2 and O2 of air. If a CO2 gas bubble finds its way to the brain it is dissolved before any permanent damage occurs.
* Thrombosis or blood clot find the way to the brain. This is controlled by blood thinners, heperin (I think?) during sugery and Warfarin after.
* The third is by fragments of plaque, calcium or even suture off-cuts. These are mostly present in the heart or the vessels and are disturbed during surgery. The common way of preventing them getting into the brain is with a net filter tempoally placed in the Aorta (also in the pulmonary vein to protect the lungs). Once again the placement should be done very early in the procedure before any other work is done on the heart itself.

These are all relatively simple things but their successful application is still dependant upon the training, experience and skill of the surgeon.

I am neither qualified nor licenced. My knowlerdge has been obtained through personal research. My effort to understand these things has been motivated by my own suspected surgically induced stroke.

kind regards
Ross Parrott

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