Riley is on the bypass machine (or whatever it's officially called) and his condition is stable. He has two canulas in his neck - one in the carotid artery and the other is in the jugular vein. Blood flows into the system where it is oxygenated and returned to the body. The machine is doing two-thirds of the work and his heart is doing one-third.
At this point the doctors have complete control over his blood flow. His BP and pressures are normal now that they've been able to take him off some of the medications. The problem before was a vicious cycle: the medication used to increase BP also increases heart rate, which means the doctors are fighting a battle on multiple fronts. Now they can give the heart some rest. Everything should be stable for several hours and we've been encouraged to get some rest. They won't try increasing the load on his heart for another 24 hours or even longer. The plan will be to slowly give him heart some work, and see how it responds. We'll post updates as we have them.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Stable
Posted by Ken Norton at 3/24/2006 11:33:00 PM
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10 comments:
it sounds like riley is on the ECMO. wow. oh, you guys. the ECMO can really can work. it sure did with Isaac.
ECMO stands for extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. yeah, that's a big time operation. it essentially routes the venal blood away from the body and there's a canister that oxygenates the blood. and the oxygenated blood is routed back into the carotid artery (which will be closed off at the end of this operation).
wow, you guys! hugs hugs hugs hugs!!!
Hugs and best wishes to the whole family from Candice and Louisa
I pray that you have been able to get a little rest. Riley is such a fighter and he is stronger than we know. My prayers are that his body begins to heal, his heart gets rest and the bypass does the work we are looking for. My love and hugs to you all.
Guys!!!!!
Call me on my cell phone.... and leave me a number to get in touch with you..i'm at MHG today...but this is what i do!! I am an ECMO perfusionist...well was...but i'm off the team because i'm in PA school but I am still working....but feel free to call me!! http://www.med.umich.edu/ecmo/intro.htm is one link with good info and: http://pediatric.um-surgery.org/new_070198/new/Library/ECMO.htm is another.
Call me at 617 710 7709 and leave your number.
Love you guys
-Dave
ok dave has made contact
he is on the prowl
my thoughts are with you all
stable is a good thing
prayers from Boston to you all
Riley is a strong boy.
marisa
Guys,
extra thoughts & prayers your way! You're all unbelievably tough.
Cyd, Jason, & Audrey
Thanks Babs..talked with Ken's mom this AM and am awaiting his call...i may try the picu as well.
-Dave
Yes, stable is a good thing. Hopefully it will give his heart a chance to recover.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, pretty much non-stop (I woke up at 4am last night and immediately went to my computer to refresh the blog page!). The thought of reversing the Fontan is horribly distressing, and we hope it doesn't come to that. But if that's the way it has to be, we'll be praying that it goes well.
God bless you all.
Hey guys, lots of love, strength and hugs coming from boston! The next few hours are going to be long, keeping you all in our thoughts- Luv you tons-Stine & Dave D.
Hey guys
wanted to let you know there are people on this side of the country praying and thinking about you. We all love and miss you and send lots of HUGS your way!!!!
Call me if here is anything I can do!!!!
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