Cardiac Catheterization

People have been asking about Tyler's upcoming surgery plans. Tyler goes to UCSF for his cath first thing in the morning, 2 weeks from today, 1/22. A doctor inserts a thin plastic tube (catheter) into an artery or vein in the arm or leg. From there it can be advanced into the chambers of the heart or into the coronary arteries. This test can measure blood pressure within the heart and how much oxygen is in the blood. It's used to get information about the pumping ability of the heart muscle. Catheters are also used to inject dye into the coronary arteries. Catheterization is often done on infants and children to examine or treat congenital. This will done to help the doctors determine if the lungs are developed enough to preform the Glenn procedure. It will also allow them to see what needs to be repaired. Holes, coartations, and leaky valves are often repaired. The surgical team will hopefully meet Tuesday or Wednesday and discuss Tyler's upcoming Glenn procedure that we hope to be done that week if he is ready.