Okay my dad had open heart surgery today. He was out of surgery at 2:30 and its now 8:30 and still needs the ventilator to breath...how long for most to go off of it?
Also they told us his cardiac index needs to be bw 2.6 and 4.2 and its currently at 1.7. My mom has asked what in the heck does this mean, but the nurse just says its different for everyone....great we realize that but what the heck does it mean for your average person??? Is this serious? Is this common with open heart surgery?
first of all i'm not an icu nurse but have worked in heart cath and helped out a little in icu.... it is common that the patient stays on the vent for a couple of days... I think the cardiac index refers to the cardiac output and how well the heart is functioning for that person. why it would be different for everyone is because you have to consider the size of the person, etc... as far as the other things I'm not sure. sorry. I hope he gets better soon!
Hi...I don't post much at all but happened to see your post. It's been a couple of years in the ICU for me but I might be able to help a little. Cardiac index is a measure determined by both cardiac output and a patient's BSA and in a nut shell is a number that signifies how much blood is being pumped out of the left ventricle per minute depending on a patients size. So, for your father being so close post-op, that may regulate soon. There are a number of reasons why it's slightly decreased (fluid volume status, medications etc) I would give it some time (overnight) before being too worried about the card. index. Also, as far as the ventilator goes, it really depends on how involved the surgery, the anesthesia etc. I know at my hospital, sometimes they keep them intubated overnight to keep things in a more controlled environment (not put too much stress on the patient) I hope this helps and good luck with your dad for a quick recovery!
Re: Any ICU nurses here?
I worked in ICU for 3 months- 4 years ago.
But I'm willing to take a stab!?
Okay my dad had open heart surgery today. He was out of surgery at 2:30 and its now 8:30 and still needs the ventilator to breath...how long for most to go off of it?
Also they told us his cardiac index needs to be bw 2.6 and 4.2 and its currently at 1.7. My mom has asked what in the heck does this mean, but the nurse just says its different for everyone....great we realize that but what the heck does it mean for your average person??? Is this serious? Is this common with open heart surgery?
Thanks ladies.
Yikes! I don't know anything about that!
Sorry. I'm sticking with fertility.
But I hope your dad recovers very soon.?
Thanks for offering.
first of all i'm not an icu nurse but have worked in heart cath and helped out a little in icu.... it is common that the patient stays on the vent for a couple of days... I think the cardiac index refers to the cardiac output and how well the heart is functioning for that person. why it would be different for everyone is because you have to consider the size of the person, etc... as far as the other things I'm not sure. sorry. I hope he gets better soon!
Hi...I don't post much at all but happened to see your post. It's been a couple of years in the ICU for me but I might be able to help a little. Cardiac index is a measure determined by both cardiac output and a patient's BSA and in a nut shell is a number that signifies how much blood is being pumped out of the left ventricle per minute depending on a patients size. So, for your father being so close post-op, that may regulate soon. There are a number of reasons why it's slightly decreased (fluid volume status, medications etc) I would give it some time (overnight) before being too worried about the card. index. Also, as far as the ventilator goes, it really depends on how involved the surgery, the anesthesia etc. I know at my hospital, sometimes they keep them intubated overnight to keep things in a more controlled environment (not put too much stress on the patient) I hope this helps and good luck with your dad for a quick recovery!