It was national wear red day today, so we all wore red for David. David did end up going in for a cath procedure today. They didn’t do anything other than taking a bunch of pictures and recording a bunch of pressures. The pressures in the pulmonary arteries need to be at a certain level to proceed with the Glenn – and David is not there yet.
However, the pressures inside his heart were great. In fact, most every aspect of his heart looked good – the pressures within it and its output. It’s the pressures around his left pulmonary artery band that is the issue. They are very high (and the high pressures are not seen in the right). His cath doctor said this was very puzzling and figuring it out is like putting together a puzzle. However, once they measured the pressures in the left pulmonary vein and gathered the pictures they have taken, it started to all make sense. The left pulmonary vein has considerable narrowing to it. This is not ideal, and he felt disappointed that David has now thrown this wrench into the mix. I asked if it was something that he could put a stent in to hold it open, and he explained that he could, but why he didn’t. The pressures in his left pulmonary artery are high because of the narrowed pulmonary vein – the blood has nowhere to go from the lungs so it starts to back up into the pulmonary artery, which explains the higher gradient. The right does not have this issue it seems because the pressures are a lot lower, but the atrial stent blocks the view of those veins.
In the end, they want more pictures. A CT scan has been ordered for Monday, and what that shows will likely determine the next steps. If David needs surgery, then the surgeon would like the first stab at fixing the issue. Otherwise, it is something that the cath doctor could do, but it is a little riskier. He has to cross his atrial stent with the new stent to get there, which poses risk of dislodging the first stent. Also, he explained that the pulmonary veins are very touchy, and they usually put up a fit when even touched. Tonight David will be in the CVICU and tomorrow, he should move back upstairs again. They will continue to monitor him through the weekend, and hopefully David continues to eat well and gain weight so that tube can be removed. We should know more after the CT scan on what the next steps are.
Thank you, God, for the insights the doctors are gaining. Please continue to guide all the health providers so the next steps for David are clear. Thank you for the gift of David and for the love within and around him. Amen.
How sweet that you all wore red to support David ❤️ Praying that the docs and all the medical staff are granted wisdom and discernment as they sort out what procedures and options are available for the care of David. Praying that you and Adam are given all the strength and love you need to care for David, Eli, Anna and each other.
What a roller coaster ride !!!! He’s quite a guy. 🙏