complcations following heart surgery

[balearic]

Dont know where else to get any answers so here goes....
My father in law went into hospital 2 wks ago for heart valve replacement and double bypass. He was unbelievalbly fit, was working 5 days before op, has no symptoms and felt really well. Obviously he needed the op as recommended by surgeon so went ahead. Surgery supposedly went well but following day didnt seem to be coming around from op. Got a phone call early next morning saying his condition had detiorated and we needed to get there quickly. He was put on a ventilator, numerous drugs etc.it is now 14 days after surgery, he has had to have a traceotomy to help with the ventilator and bringing him round but I dont feel there is any more response from him than there was the day after the op. He seems weak on his right side, isnt opening his eyes and is drowsy the whole time even tho he is no longer being sedated. We think that he has maybe had a stroke, there is no improvement since the op and we are all tearing our hair out. Looks like he went in hosp feeling reasonably fit and is going to leave in a very different state......any help as to why he isnt waking up

[Sqad]

balearic....despite advances in anaesthesia and surgical techniques there are still complications ranging from minor to rather major and life threatening situations.
There are so many complications that I will confine my answer to those that may apply to your father in law as described in your post.

A "stroke" as you have suggested is by far the most likely considering the slow recovery, the limb weakness and the necessity for a tracheostomy. This may have been due to either a bleed into the brain or blockage of an artery (embolus) which supplies blood to the brain.

Other less common complications are another heart attack, bleeding into the lung, irregular heart beats, kidney failure and so on.

He is in intensive care, well looked after and will be given every chance.

P.S.....how did you get your username?

[anneasquith]

if you havnt already ask to speak to his consultant.

[oliverpool]

In the present time, it has become very essential to enquire about the hospitals as well as the doctors before approaching them. This is not only applicable for medical field but for all other fields. I thing you should have enquired about the doctor before taking your father in law to him.
Now I can only suggest you to consult a good doctor at http://www.justsavelives.com/category/contacts/ and show your father in law’s medical history to them.