Getting ready for two pre-op tests (TEE and angiogram) later this week in preparation for my mitral valve repair in 2023. It promises to be a long day but at ...Read more
Getting ready for two pre-op tests (TEE and angiogram) later this week in preparation for my mitral valve repair in 2023. It promises to be a long day but at least both are happening on the same day at Royal Jubilee Hospital here in Victoria, BC. Good to get it done!
Robert Miller Angiogram is easy. TEE is a bit harder. There were like 5 "students" with my cardiologist and they kn ... Read more
Robert Miller Angiogram is easy. TEE is a bit harder. There were like 5 "students" with my cardiologist and they knocked me out pretty good (which I asked for) so that made the TEE easy as well. If they don't sedate you well you might have some gag reflexes. You might also have some soar feeling which I did not have so I guess they did a good job.
More importantly, prepare for the actual surgery and ask all the questions that come to mind. For instance is minimal invasive surgery an option? How many mitral valve repairs has the surgeon done? How many valve replacement has (s)he done. Is (s)he going to do the surgery or is a "student" doing the surgery. What valve are they using if a replacement is necessary (mechanical, tissue, brand, etc). Try to assess how determined the surgeon is to repair a valve rather than replace it. You should prefer a repair but if the chance of success is relatively low you want a surgeon that does a replacement and not bend over doing a repair (you try to avoid a second or third open heart surgery).
Kenneth Southard In my experience, the TEE was easy and quick (about an hour) and the catheterization took all morning ... Read more
Kenneth Southard In my experience, the TEE was easy and quick (about an hour) and the catheterization took all morning. The procedure itself was about an hour, it's just that the prep and recovery time when added to it made the total time in the hospital about 6 hours.
J H Mattingly Fun times!! Ha!!! TEE is a bit weird due to the prep, but once they put they put you to "sleep", you ... Read more
J H Mattingly Fun times!! Ha!!! TEE is a bit weird due to the prep, but once they put they put you to "sleep", you won't remember anything. Angiogram is no biggie, except for having to lay still afterward for a while. You got this!!!
Teresa Corl I had cath done and it was not bad at all. I was so worried and it wasn’t bad at all. Everyone did ... Read more
Teresa Corl I had cath done and it was not bad at all. I was so worried and it wasn’t bad at all. Everyone did their job so wonderful and now I think back and will do it again no worries! Contact me if you need to talk.
More importantly, prepare for the actual surgery and ask all the questions that come to mind. For instance is minimal invasive surgery an option? How many mitral valve repairs has the surgeon done? How many valve replacement has (s)he done. Is (s)he going to do the surgery or is a "student" doing the surgery. What valve are they using if a replacement is necessary (mechanical, tissue, brand, etc). Try to assess how determined the surgeon is to repair a valve rather than replace it. You should prefer a repair but if the chance of success is relatively low you want a surgeon that does a replacement and not bend over doing a repair (you try to avoid a second or third open heart surgery).
Contact me if you need to talk.