Frequently Asked Questions
Below you'll find detailed answers to your most commonly asked questions about our heart and vascular services.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
- If I was born with a heart defect and am now an adult, do I need to see a specialist in adult congenital heart disease?
- What other resources are available for people with adult congenital heart disease?
Cardiac Surgery
Pre-operative
- Where do I go for the surgery?
- How do I prepare for the surgery?
- How long is the surgery?
- How long will I stay in the hospital?
- What are the visiting hours?
Post-operative
- Are there stitches that need to be removed?
- What activities can I do at home?
- Will I have any restrictions?
- When can I return to work?
- What doctor's appointment will I have?
- Who do I call if I have questions or problems?
Thoracic Surgery
- What is lung volume reduction surgery?
- What tests may be required before my surgery?
- What can I expect during my hospital stay?
- What type of pain control will I have?
- Will I have a chest tube after surgery?
- What if I need rehabilitation after my procedure?
- Will I have a breathing tube in after my surgery?
- Will I need oxygen after surgery?
- What can I expect during my hospital stay?
If I was born with a heart defect and am now an adult, do I need to see a specialist in adult congenital heart disease?
No one answer would fit all patients. The adult congenital heart specialist has experience with the unique symptoms adults may experience after surviving a childhood with congenital heart disease. It has only been within the last 10 to 20 years with modern surgical techniques that children with congenital heart disease have survived their childhood and are now entering adult life. Some may need to be followed regularly on a frequent basis while others may be evaluated at a single visit and not need follow-up for five to 10 years. Each patient's case is individually assessed.
What other resources are available for people with adult congenital heart disease?
Loyola's Treasured Hearts Support Group provides education and support for parents with children affected by heart disease. Adults who live with congenital heart disease are invited to provide parents with encouragement and perspective.
Where do I go for the surgery?
A nurse from the surgeon's office will call to let you know what time to arrive in pre-admission testing the morning of surgery.
How do I prepare for the surgery?
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Shower with antibacterial soap, given to you, the night before and the morning of surgery. You will be instructed on which medications to take the morning of surgery.
How long is the surgery?
In general, bypass, valve, and aortic surgeries take three hours to complete. Your family may not see you for six to eight hours. It takes several hours to prepare you for surgery and to observe you after surgery before you family can visit.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
Generally, you will stay in the hospital four to six days. You will spend one to two days in the intensive care unit, then you will go to the 3rd floor Telemetry unit for the rest of your recovery.
What are the visiting hours?
The intensive care unit phone number visiting hours are: 10-11 a.m., 1-2 p.m., 4-5 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. The Telemetry unit visiting hours are: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Most often, the stitches are under the skin and will dissolve. On occasion, stitches or staples are used and will need to be removed ten to fourteen days after your surgery.
What activities can I do at home?
You will be expected to walk three times a day, gradually increasing your distance everyday.
Will I have any restrictions?
You will not be able to drive for 4-6 weeks or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for six weeks. You will not be able to swim, take tub baths or soak in a Jacuzzi for six weeks or play golf for two months
When can I return to work?
Most patients take four or six weeks off of work to recover. Some patients go back to work part-time two to three weeks after surgery depending on their job. Your cardiologist will determine when you will be able to return to work.
What doctor's appointment will I have?
You will have an appointment at the surgery clinic for an incision check one to two weeks after you discharge. You will also be instructed to follow up with your cardiologist two weeks after your discharge from the hospital.
Who do I call if I have questions or problems?
You should call the cardiovascular surgery office and ask to talk with the nurse practitioner. The phone number is (888) LUHS-888.
What is lung volume reduction surgery?
This procedure reduces the total lung volume and improves pulmonary function in the significantly incapacitated patient with emphysema. The surgery involves the removal of multiple wedges of emphysematous lung tissue.
What tests may be required before my surgery?
You will be scheduled to have certain laboratory blood tests, a chest X-ray, chest CAT scan, pulmonary functions test (breathing tests), arterial blood gases, lung perfusion scan and possibly an MRI. A swallowing test and other specific tests may be ordered if your surgery will involve the esophagus.
What can I expect during my hospital stay?
Most patients spend their first post-operative day in the intensive care unit. Thereafter they are transferred to the Thoracic Cardiovascular floor. Respiratory therapy will assist you with breathing exercises and treatments. You will be ambulating and taking a general diet the day after your operation. The length of time you will be in the hospital will depend on the type of your surgery and your pre-operative medical health status.
What type of pain control will I have?
During surgery you will have general anesthesia. You will be in a sleep state and free of pain. An epidural analgesia may be offered that decreases the sensory feelings of pain in the chest. This pain control is for post-operative pain. A patient controlled analgesic (PCA) pump is another way medication can be dispensed by yourself when you are having pain. Oral analgesics will be administered during your hospital stay and prescriptions medications for your recovery at home.
Will I have a chest tube after surgery?
A chest tube is inserted during surgery to drain fluids and blood from the chest cavity. It also aids in the re-expansion of your lung. Most chest surgical interventions will require an insertion of a chest tube. The chest tube stays in place an average of two to three days.
What if I need rehabilitation after my procedure?
Pulmonary rehabilitation generally is started in the hospital in the form of respiratory treatments and early ambulation. Longer-term rehabilitation can be arranged with the assistance of our thoracic staff. Pulmonary rehabilitation (pre- and post-surgery) is a requirement for patients scheduled for lung volume reduction and lung transplant.
Will I have a breathing tube in after my surgery?
The breathing tube, an endotracheal tube, is inserted prior to your surgery while you are already going into a sleeping state. Generally that tube is removed in the operating room before you are transferred to the recovery room. Certain respiratory airway guidelines must be met before the tube is removed.
Will I need oxygen after surgery?
Some patients, especially those who have been on oxygen prior to surgery, may require oxygen after surgery. Oxygen therapy may be needed during the early post-operative time or only during periods of activity.
What can I expect during my hospital stay?
Most patients spend their first post-operative day in the intensive care unit. Thereafter they are transferred to the thoracic cardiovascular floor. Respiratory therapy will assist you with breathing exercises and treatments. You will be moving around and eating a general diet the day after your operation. The length of time you will be in the hospital will depend on the type of your surgery and your pre-operative medical health status.