The procedure I had was called Pulmonary Thromboendarterctomy (PTE)...
I was the 1895th patient to have this procedure done at the University of California at San Diego.
So what is PTE? PTE is the removal of life threatening blood clots / embolisms from the pulmonary arteries to restore blood flow to the lungs.The surgery can provide a cure for pulmonary hypertension due to chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease by restoring normal blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and removing the chance of right-heart failure.
My PTE was a 10-hour procedure, performed under general anesthesia, in which my chest was opened and I was attached to a heart-lung bypass machine. My body was also cooled to about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, because this temperature reduces the body�s need for oxygen by 95 percent.
Once I was attached to the heart-lung bypass pump and my body was cooled, the surgeons open the arteries obstructed by the clots. The doctors then turned off the heart-lung bypass pump to achieve a bloodless surgical field. While no blood is being pumped through the arteries, the doctors carefully extract the clots adhered to the arterial walls. My clots�seen here were relatively large (10 in) and placed in a spot that gave me 90% blockage and 10% lung function. Once the clots are removed the arteries are sewn closed, blood is allowed to flow back through them, the chest is sewn closed, and the surgery is complete.
If you have been referered here by anyone on the Pulmonary message boards please refer to all my links and contact me with any stories you might have and questions.. I will be glad to help any way I can... In the meanwhile please check out all the links I've posted about the procedure and definently check out the hospital website...
Thank God for morphine!
I would like to personally thank Dr.Kerr she was there all the time when ever I was in pain she was there asking me how I felt moments later. It was nice to see her keeping a watchfull eye over me durring my stay ecspeacially durring my stay in the ICU.. Much thanks for getting me out early too.. Im feeling great... Thank you..
I would also like to thank Maureen/Moe.. Man your a trip, love ya Moe! Thanks for the ride the one day when we "ran away with each other for the day" muahahaha!! You really tell it to all the patients like it really is and dont sugar coat anything, we all appreciate it and will remember people like you forever. Thanks for the shirt! You are awesome at what ya do, one of the best and I've been through alot of nurses and doctors. You were always there making sure I was were I was supposed to be and that no one forgot about and if they did to let ya know and you will give em hell, when giving them the middle finger didn't work.. lol thanks!
I would like to thank Dr. Kim, though I dont recall seeing him after the surgery I know I saw alot of him before during all the testing the week before. He was really great and really nice to talk to. He answered all the questions I had about everything that was being done..
I would also like to give a shout out to my ICU RN Lisamarie, man you were great, thanks for putting up with all my crap.. I had a blast staying there even though it was the ICU.. Sorry I didnt get a chance to say bye it was nice meeting the best ICU RN on Easrth.
I would also like thank Dr.Delgado. He was alot like Dr.Kerr I saw him all the time too, he was funny and always checked up on too make sure I wasnt seeing "lil green men" while I was on cloud 09.. He was always making sure I got all meds straight and that the nurses were good to me.. You were awesome doc and thanks for the picture of the clots..
And Finally Connie! I never got the chance to meet you but we did a great deal of talking over the phone. I hope to hear from ya soon on the website just saying hi.. You answered alot of all the questions I had and totally got me mentally prepared for this surgery by giving me all the literature.. Thanks alot...
There are also many many more too much to list but thanks to all the hospital staff that remembers my name I will not forget you...
