Cath Report

The doctor came and spoke to us to share the results of the cath procedure. There was significant narrowing of Graysen's left pulmonary artery and narrowing where the conduit was sewn onto the pulmonary artery. They ballooned through the narrowing in the left pulmonary artery with satisfactory results.

I can't remember the word that the doctor used, but one (out of three) layers of the left pulmonary artery were damaged during the ballooning. This is an undesired consequence and will need to be assessed. They are going to do a CT angioplasty tomorrow morning to assess the damage.

Nothing detrimental will happen at this point, but it may limit what they are able to by cath in the future since the wall is not as strong. It may mean choosing open-heart surgery for future work instead of cath for particular procedures.

Graysen's conduit and valve look good. The valve is working great and there is limited calcium and build up in the conduit. The doctor expects that this conduit will last for a while. However, narrowing of the left pulmonary artery, narrowing where the conduit is sewn onto the pulmonary artery, and the "spot" on the wall of the left pulmonary artery will need to be monitored over the next year.

As I have learned with all heart procedures, the doctors are always watching something and life is taken in steps with these babies. Assuming good CT angioplasty results tomorrow, we should be "good" for another year! All I can say is that I am scared to see Graysen on "full" energy!!!