We just spoke Dr. Sinha (the surgeon) and got an update on all the happenings today. David is ok, but he’s not perfect. He wants David to be perfect before they send him to the ICU.
First they have completed the Norwood procedure. They decided to go with the Sano shunt instead of the BTT shunt because of the physiology of his heart. The Sano shunt is Dr. Sinha’s preferred method. While placing the shunt they started with a 5mm shunt and his oxygen numbers were very low so they changed it out for a 6mm shunt. After placing the larger shunt David’s oxygen numbers are on the bottom line of acceptable (but there’s no wiggle room). Dr. Sinha has never placed a 7mm shunt before, so the 6mm should be sufficient. Going with a shunt that is too large would send David into heart failure, so we don’t want to do that either. They did an echo to see if they could see any issues that could be causing the lower numbers and everything looked great. So to help improve David’s oxygen saturations as much as they can, they are now moving him to the Cath lab for further imaging and possible intervention. We’re hopeful that the cath team will see some kinking of the new shunt where it attaches to the right ventricle and will be able to stent it to hold it open. This joint collapsing is the most common complication with the Sano shunt method. However they will make the decision based on what they see during the Cath procedure. The team will also check where his PA(pulmonary artery) bands used to be to make sure it looks ok after they were removed.
They also repaired his tricuspid valve leak. Before they removed the stent between David’s left and right atriums, they noticed it was placed in a position very close to his left upper pulmonary vein. There was scar tissue growing around the stent. That scar tissue proximity to the pulmonary vein was likely causing the narrowing. This could also be causing his lower oxygen saturations as the lungs were under high pressure due to that narrowing, but they should come down over the next 24-48 hours. As the pressures normalize the oxygen numbers should improve.
With the Cath procedure we are still looking at a few hours before the completion, and knowing more. David has already been in surgery for a long time today, so they would rather not have to continue more invasive procedures today.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support.
This has been quite the day for all of you. Peace to you all ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This day must have felt like an eternity! Big prayers for you all! Hope you can get some rest ❤️
Thank you for the update. I am praying in gratitude and appreciation for the oh so many medical folks who have spent so much time and effort caring for this wonder of a little boy … and I continue to pray for your family to be held in God’s care.
Thanks for telling us, and explaining everything so well. What a marathon you all have been running… I’m so grateful for the delicate work the surgical teams have done, and that they are still looking for ways to improve his circulation and breathing. Praying that God, who does not leave you alone in your waiting and love for David, brings you peace and comfort and rest. Praying for everyone involved in the medical observations and choices ahead, that they may find the way to good outcomes for David, and for dear David himself as he goes through more procedures and then healing.
Continued prayers for strength and restful sleep for all of you❤️
Praying continually!!!
Thank you for all the information you send. Makes me feel almost I’m right there with you. God’s got you all in his hand and will comfort you when you need it. Prayers from me and Rocky. ❤️