cardio 2

Ok, we finished up with the cardiologist, and here's basically where we stand with them:

Good news: We were wrong about the malfunctioning valve. After the ECHO, they told us that his valve is competent and functioning just as it should.

However, we knew from NICU that Athan has 2 holes in the wall between the upper chambers of his heart - the larger of the 2 is higher up on the wall between the chambers (ASD) and a tiny one further down (VSD). The hope was that they might close on their own, but Dr. K (cardiologist) told us today that they will require surgical repair. Athan will have to have a surgery. As to timing, we are not exactly sure. Probably it will be before he turns 1. It is certainly not an emergency, as his heart is healthy otherwise and functioning well. The decision about exactly when to do the surgery will depend on the surgeon's assessment and preferences, and we have not seen him yet. Our next appointment with them is in 4 weeks, and we'll find out more about when we see the surgeon and more of the what/when/how about the proceedure.

That was hard news to hear. No one wants to know their infant son has to have heart surgery before his first birthday. But Dr. K did call it a "rewarding surgery" - not terribly difficult or complex, and once it's fixed, it's fixed. The holes allow blood to wash backward, and the extra fluid in one ventricle would cause it to enlarge over time. The surgery will prevent that.

He also added 2 meds for Athan: one to help his heart pump better, and another to help him get rid of extra fluid so his heart doesn't enlarge any more. Ryan is on his way to fill the prescriptions right now, and we'll figure out how to get them into the schedule.