“How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit After Heart Surgery?” Asks Cindy

Cindy, from Illinois, just asked me a fantastic question about heart valve surgery and the intensive care unit (ICU).

Her email reads, “Adam - The time is finally here. After suffering from aortic stenosis for the past twelve months, I’m going in for heart valve replacement next week. Yes, I’m nervous. Yes, I’m anxious. Anyways, I have a question for you about the ICU. How long were you (and other patients) in the intensive care unit? I want to know what to expect and I want to make sure my family knows what to expect. Thanks, Cindy.”

To start, I want to acknowledge Cindy for asking an excellent question. In my opinion, expectation management is critical for patients and their caregivers. That said, I’d like to publicly say, “Great job Cindy!”

Me (Adam) In The Intensive Care Unit

As for Cindy’s question, I was in the intensive care unit for 24 hours following my aortic valve replacement at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. However, just because I was in the ICU for one day, that does not mean all patients will have the same experience.

If there is one thing I stress and re-stress to my readers, it is the fact that heart valve surgery is a personal, patient experience. While there are benchmarks to guide patients through that experience, please remember that your experience will be your own - especially during the recovery.

“How does that relate to Cindy’s question about time spent in the intensive care unit following heart surgery?” you might be wondering.

Well…

In the past four years, I have spoke with thousands of heart valve surgery patients. During the research for my book, I learned that some patients are in the ICU for only one day (just like me). Other patients, however, remained in the ICU for 2-3 days. Sometimes, if surgical complications occur, patients remain in the ICU for longer periods of time.

Again, the experience of heart surgery is personal. That is why, if I was to answer Cindy’s question, I would simply say, “It depends.” However, most of the patients I have discussed this topic with are in the intensive care unit for 1-2 days.

Luckily, a number of former heart valve surgery patients visit this blog. Sooooooo…. I’m curious to know what they have to say about this topic.

Can YOU help Cindy understand your experience in the ICU? If so, please click here to leave a comment.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. Scroll down to read over 25 patient responses to this blog!

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the opportunities and challenges of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

>> Additional Blogs About Heart Valve Surgery:

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am and is filed under Post-Operative Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Print This Post | EMail This Post.

30 Responses to ““How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit After Heart Surgery?” Asks Cindy”

Geoff Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hello All! I was in ICU (for a Minimally invasive mitral valve repair) for 16 hours. The big thing they pushed was walking and I started at 8am the next morning. BTW my 1 year anniversary was Wednesday .
Adam Pick Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
CONNNNNNGRATSSSSSS ON YOUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GEOFF!!!

And, thanks for sharing about your time in the intensive care unit!

Keep on tickin!

Adam
anita devine Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Hello Cindy,
My experience with minimally invasive mitral valve surgery was free of complications. So, I was in the ICU for 12 hours, and 3 of those hours the hospital personnel were waiting for a bed for me on the Cardiac Step-down Unit.
I continue to progress very well; it has been 6 weeks since my surgery. I am walking one hour a day and even doing moderate gardening work. I will return to work this week.
Cant wait for my 1 year anniversary…. congratulations to you Geoff!
Anita
Terry Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
After mitral valve repair and maze procedure, was in the icu for two days -
lots and lots of tubes and iv’s, but don’t remember much else. My family was allowed pretty much unlimited visitation, and my husband stayed in the room with me (all rooms, even in the icu, were private) - and my husband tells me the nursing care was superb.
So, don’t worry. You get moved out when you are ready. Everyone is different.
Charlene Melcher Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I was in intensive care for 2 1/2 days and only 6 days in the hospital total. I had an aortic valve repair as well as an ascending aorta replacement including the arch. It will be 8 months tomorrow and I am doing great.
Midge Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Cindy, I’m originally from Peoria, IL. Sure do miss the midwest folks…they are a wonderful breed unto themselves.

I had an aortic valve replaced on 2/13/09 (Friday the 13th no less) after also having waited a year from original diagnosis. I was in the ICU from Friday after surgery until late Sunday evening. (My husband left me at 8 PM Sunday in the ICU so it was sometime after that.) I have no memory of what happened in ICU (which is probably a blessing in disguise). My first real memories are from Monday afternoon, but all the nurses said this is not abnormal…some of the many drugs you get can do this. I also had some hallucinations, which are also not out of the norm.

Counting the day of surgery, I was in the hospital 10 days. I was up and walking to the bathroom by Monday afternoon and by Monday night took my first steps out onto the test track (hallway). Those first few days alot of time is spent sleeping or drifting in and out of sleep and walking and using your
spirometer.

There is pain involved with the incision but pain meds are usually readily available and don’t be afraid to use them because without them it is more difficult to be mobile and walk like you should. Eating is another matter–food tastes about like cardboard, especially since you are on a more bland cardiac diet. However, the second day I rediscovered milk (which I don’t normally drink) and it was OH SO GOOD. Probably drank more milk in a week than I usually do in a year.

Above all, remember this surgery is saving your life and the results for the aortic valve are so good and long lasting that there can be no doubt that this is what you need to be doing. Get all those positive thoughts coming your way from everyone you know. The anticipation of what is coming is really much worse that the actual process.

Take care! Midge
Linda Leslie Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I was in ICU for 7 days, but I got pneumonia and my lungs collapsed so they kept me aleep and on a ventilator. The same thing happened the last time only for 10 days. My first heart surgery a ross procedure I was only in ICU 3 days.
Maureen Spielman Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Congrats Geoff on the one year anniv.
Hi Cindy,
I just had Aorta Valve Replacement on April 13, 2009. I ended up being in CCU/ICU for 4 days. I had a complication with a clot in my leg during surery and I did not get off the ventilator until almost Midnight the night of my surgery.
I also had some heart rythm problems and had a temporary pacemaker. I thought I would only be in CCU for 1-2 days, but everyone is different.
The CCU nurses were amazing. I was up walking the next morning. If you have any questions from the female perspective, I’d be happy to answer them. Regards, Maureen Spielman (47 years)
Lloyd Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Cindy,

I read Adam’s book and I thought I would be in ICU for 1 to 2 days. My surgery ended around 4:30 PM and I woke up fully around 11:30 PM. I was overjoyed when the recovery room doctor removed the tube from my throat after a few minutes and they monitored me all night and moved me into a room by 7AM. I had the nurses get me up around noon for a very short walk and then I sat up in a chair until 10PM. My procedure was Aortic Valve and Aortic Root replacement. Best Wishes, you will be on your feet before you know it.
SpikeSpriesterbach Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I had my mitral valve replacement and Maze procedure performed at the Heart Institute unit of the Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas in September of last year. There you are never moved from the private room you wake up in. You have 2 nurses assigned just to you for 24 to 36 hours assuming everything goes OK. After that you have the same nurses depending on the shift.

This continuity is great for your confidence of the quality of your care. I was in the hospital with this unit for 5 days.
Wilmer D. Brown Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
With my Aortic valve replacement I was in ICU about 24 hours. I woke up with tubes down my throat, I was lucky enough to go back to sleep. The next time I woke up they were gone. But it’s like Adam said each person will be different. Wishing you God’s speed.
Adam Pick Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Thanks everybody!!!

I’m just getting back from a walk with Ethan (my new son), Robyn and Bonnie (my mother-in-law). I was so excited to see all the great comments and thoughts being posted above.

Also, thanks for stressing the ‘unique’ element of your surgical experience. As patients, we all have our own personal, heart valve surgery journey.

Keep on tickin!

Adam

P.S. Ethan is 5 weeks old today. I’m going to post some pictures shortly. He is absolutely “delicious” as Robyn would say.
Linda Leslie Says:
May 10th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Midge,
I also had hallucinations and was hearing things, which is really scary. This happened in 2002 when I had my aortic root repaired. It did not happen when I had a ross procedure in 1994. The hallucinations and hearing things really scared my family. It continiued until right before I went home. I think it must be the drugs they use.
Linda
Joan Parkinson Says:
May 10th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hi Cindy,
I had my aortic valve replacement Feb 28, 2009, 9am surgery and my husband tells me I got to the ICU about 2pm. I have no recollection of much for the next 12 hours including the removal of the breathing tube (thankfully). I was moved to the cardiac care unit at 4pm the next day, so 26 hours in ICU.
Good Luck
Joan Parkinson
Don Seale Says:
May 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Hi, Cindy,

I’m a fellow Illinois resident, and just had my mitral valve replaced via a full median sternotomy at Illinois Masonic in Chicago on April 28th. I was in ICU for two days and in the hospital for a total of seven. I was out of bed and in a chair for breakfast the day after surgery! Whatever else you do, make sure you use the incentive spirometer after you come to and throughout your hospital stay. Have your family encourage you to use it at all times too. This will help you so much in your recovery. It is not pleasant, particularly initially, but will help your lungs overcome the trauma and help prevent fluid buildup, etc.

As Adam and others tell, everyone’s recovery is individual. As for me, the strongest pain med I have needed since release from the hospital has been a tylenol. If you have pain, though, you need to let your health care providers know! You have to take charge of your recovery. All the best to you as you have your surgery!!!
Don
Maggie Says:
May 10th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
The main discomfort is when you first wake up and you find a big pipe in your mouth that goes down your throat to keep your lungs functioning. I also had my arms and legs tied up because apparently each patient wakes up at some point and tries to disconnect pipes and wires hanging all over the place.
Midge Says:
May 10th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Linda L., it’s good to hear that other people do have hallucinations too. You are not kidding, they are scary…everything is so real. You’re in the middle of a hallucination and think it is real and then suddenly come to and realize it was not real. I had one where I though the nursing staff had moved me into this old patient room that was now being used as a store room so they could party in my room. I was really scared because I thought I was no longer hooked up to any monitoring equipment, I was thirsty and had to go to the bathroom but didn’t want to leave the safety of my bed. Luckily I drifted back into regular sleep and woke up in my safe and secure room, but I was really scared!
Midge
Allan Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Hi Cindy

I had my aortic valve replaced via a full median sternotomy in October last year. I spent about 48 hours in ICU, and 5 nights in the general wards thereafter.

Best of luck!

Allan
Sarah in McKinney, Texas Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:48 am
At the hospital I went to (Baylor Heart Hospital of Plano, Texas), all rooms are ready to be an ICU if necessary at any time. So, after a morning surgery on 9/2/08, I went directly to my room, and the first thing I remember is asking the nurse at 4pm when I was going in to surgery. The sweetest words I have ever heard were “Oh, you already had your surgery, and it went great!”. I was walking by that evening, in the hospital for four days and recovery was easier than I expected. I was back to running three miles a day at the end of cardiac rehab in December. Good luck, pack your trust in your doctors, a sense of humor and you will be fine!
Sarah
David Tungate Says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
My wife had a mitral valve repair a week ago. She was in the ICU at Hoag Hospital (California) for almost 2 days, but she had problems with breathing on her own and blood oxigen levels. Otherwise, I think they were prepared to move her out after 1 day. Good luck with your surgery!
Christine Says:
May 17th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Hi, I was in the intensive care unit for 3 days..but my hospital did not have a step down so I went directly to the cardiac care floor following ICU My surgury went well but I had a 30 pound wght gain from overload of IV fluid so I stayed in ICU so that they could more closely momitor. Total of 6 days in hospital. Please contact me if I can be of support thru your recovery. I would like to be of help to others that are going thru this. I am 16 months out from surgury and I fell really good but it is a process and as Adam states everyone is an individual but we are all here to help each other so don’t hesitate to make contact. I wish you the best. Christine
Adrian Bishop Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi Cindy and Adam:

I had my aortic valve replaced almost 1 year ago now at Washington hospital Center in WDC. Dr Louis Kanda is my excellent surgeon … I was in Intensive care less than 1 day. I woke up the day after surgery on the ward in a semi-private room. My memories of the icu are pretty foggy. I do remember being there, and being pretty awed by the sight. It was a large round room, with an admin center at the center and patient beds pointing in toward it. Each of us had a nurse. My wife says mine was particularly attentive. I woke up from the anethesia, but then mostly slept. Throughout my whole experience in the Wash Hosp Center I fely totally cared for. It was really awesome. My best wishes to you with your procedure. Adrian B.
Dave McDonald Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
So far, - I get the booby prize! 13 days in the I.C.U. I’m writing a book on ‘hallucinations from hell’. Full color in moving terror. I asked my surgeon why I spent so much time there the answer was straightforward,”…you wouldn’t wake up…”! Pnuemonia was some of the problem,- I suspect a large dose of anesthesia. I had depression big time for a month after.
It’s great to feel good again!
Arlene Says:
May 19th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I was in ICU after aortic valve replacement, repair a hole in my heart and single bypass for 5 days.

Then in a regular room for 4 days.
Jim Says:
May 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I had my aortic valve replaced three weeks ago yesterday with a St. Jude mechanical valve. I was in ICU for about 1 day. I was out of the hospital on the 6th day, the day before the 1 week aniversary of my valve replacement.

I had a lot of trouble the first few days with nausia due to the pain meds. I threw up in the ICU which wasn’t very plesent on my chest. I was also very agitated in the evenings the first few days. Most of my problems were related to pain management and reactions to pain meds.

All that said, I have been home for two weeks and am doing great! I am going back to work at my 5th week from surgery. I am an Airline Transport Pilot and jet instructor in simulators. I plan on getting my FAA medical certificate back in about 8 months.

Good luck. : )
pixie Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I’m struggling to come to terms with my boyfriends illness at the moment, and this site is really helping me out. My boyfriend has suffered from seizures after having previous surgeries, and i was wondering if anyone else had experianced the same??? I’m sorry if that’s a stupid question, i’m really worried and confused at the moment and i’m just trying to learn as much as i can to try and understand this better. Could you help me out???
Thanks,
Pixie
brenda bakonyi Says:
July 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
i, , am post op now 11 weeks, I agree with all of you who complained of hallucinations, I had them bigtime, I had aortic replacement, mitral valv repair. I find that my bones are still very sore if you sneeze or yawn. I am from canada, I was in cardic recovery for 24 hrs then moved to ccu and was home after 8 days. I am not taking any more than 5 pills right now, when I came out of hospital I was taking 44 pills a day.hopefully in 1 mor month will be down to 3 pills a day. I have to go to rehab for 26 weeks, but the drs are having a hard time with my BP/192/120 so have to lay low for now.
Barbara Henry Says:
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I am delighted to report that I skipped ICU altogether and went straight to recovery, then a room. They expected me out of the hospital in 4 days, but I ended up staying 5 days. I was walking the first day after going to reg room. The doctors referred to me as their “Poster Child.” God is Great!

I am 13 weeks post op and doing great. I hope all goes well your way as well.

Barbara
Barbara Henry Says:
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
PS I forgot to mention I had an aortic valve replacement with an On-X mechanical valve (possibility of reduced anticoagulation medication). When I first woke up after surgery, my chest felt like a train had hit it and I was quite sore until the tubes were removed 2nd or 3rd day. After that, I was well on the road to recovery. I suffered no post partum blues or depression thanks to God and wonderful family support.
Mary Says:
August 31st, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I’m writing about my Mom; she had aortic valve replacement 5 days ago and someone is telling me it might be heart failure! The said the surgery was a success, but for the last 24 hrs she’s had low BP, 80 over 50, and atrial fib, so they gave her a cardio version. Her urine output was almost nil so they put the catheter back in. I’m concerned, can anyone help me understand these issues? Thank you! Mary, out of state daughter preparing to go take care of her.

Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

“How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit After Heart Surgery?” Asks Cindy

30 Responses to ““How Long Were You In The Intensive Care Unit After Heart Surgery?” Asks Cindy”

Leave a Reply

Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Video Of The Day

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Get Adam's FREE Newsletter By RSS Feed

Get Adam's FREE Heart Valve Surgery Newsletter