My wife underwent a Stent Graft for an aortic aneurysm. The Cleveland Clinic is amazing!

My wife had an aortic aneurysm repair yesterday at the Cleveland Clinic and is coming home today! That procedure is an amazing minimally invasive advancement to fix a life threatening problem. Her aneurysm was 5 cm and was discovered by accident a few weeks ago during a CT for an unrelated issue. Needless to say; after that discovery we saw it as a ticking time bomb that needed immediate attention. Prior to this, she had not had any health issues and other than occasional mammograms, nothing that required imaging in the last 35+ years.

On the same day of my wife's procedure (yesterday), the nurse for my EP called to let me know that I have been cleared to receive an upgrade from my dual chamber PM to a CRT. She said that we can now schedule it. My EF has been around 40% as the result of pacemaker syndrome from dysychrony after being paced for over 35 years. My ventricular lead placement is apical. Obviously, the hope now is that with a CRT my EF will recover to normal or near normal. However, even if it does not, the thought of having my heart back in-sync is very exciting for me. I have had a congenital 1st degree heart block prior to going into a complete block at the age of 38. I have also had bradycardia and SA Node problems my entire life. As a result, my experience in life has been one of feeling a lack of energy and at times, occasions of almost passing-out when I over exerted myself prior to receiving a PM. My point is that I do not think that my heart has ever been in sync, which is why this is so exciting for me!

In any case, our experience with the Cleveland Clinic has been nothing short of amazing. I just had a second venogram last week. OMG I have to tell you that the procedure itself was such a gratifying experience. There was a team of about five people including the Doc. At the beginning and prior to starting the procedure, they all stood next to the table I was laying on and introduced themselves one by one. That seems to be how they do things at the CC. Each team member explained their title and their role in the procedure. The Doc was last to introduce himself and asked me if I have any questions. I did; and he answered every one of them very politely. Everyone was terrific. When the first attempt from the left side showed the vein occluded (brachiocephalic vein carrying my leads), I expressed my disappointment and the nurse sympathized with me. They did not seem surprised by the finding since my leads were in place for such a long time. The Doc explained that there was one collateral vein that may connect to the superior vena cava, but he was unsure. He said that it appeared to be open. This collateral vein was formed (by angiogenesis) when the left vein carrying the leads became occulded. So he said he would call my EP Doc and see if he wanted to explore that one further. After about ten minutes he came back and said my Doc wanted them to try to do so, but from the opposite side (right-side). The Doc wasn't sure how I felt about that and asked me. I said "hell yes, let's do it"! So they put another catheter in my right arm and tried again. I was so surprised that when they found it to be open; everyone in the room including myself cheered. They all understood the stakes for me. The Doc then yelled out to all of them what a great job they did! Honest to God, they acted like they just struck gold. It was clear that they knew the significance of this success, because they are all involved with "lead extraction procedures" and one nurse had even had commented to me earlier that they really do not want to try to extract a 37 year old lead (i.e because of the danger)! Then the Doc came to me and explained everything. I expressed my gratitude to him and everyone else. It felt so good that I almost started crying........and I don't cry! 

Well, that is my story. I apologize for the length of this, so if you didn't finish it I certainly understand. I awaoke early this morning and had little else to do. It felt good to write this, but my point was to tell how great our experience with the Cleveland Clinic has been.

10 Comments

🎉🥳👏🏼

by Lavender - 2023-11-15 09:54:03

Dave!!!! Dave!!! I'm sitting here choked up with tears burning my eyes. Your excitement is palpable. Your team of enthusiastic doctors is like a movie script. Your experience is astounding!  
 

I am so happy that God shone a light on that sneaky aneurysm your wife was wearing. Fixed! Home!! What a great thanksgiving blessing. 
 

I know you were concerned about those old leads. Now they can be capped off and left behind. You're getting a Cadillac, man!  My CRT-P boosted my EF to 55-60%. Pedal to the metal. 
Hope same for you. Let us know when you're upgrading!  We will leave the light on for you!!

hip hip HOORAY🎊🙌🏼

Lavender

by Good Dog - 2023-11-15 10:34:29

You always have such a great way to express yourself! I love it!

Thank you!

Dave

Yes what would we do without our Lavender

by Gemita - 2023-11-15 10:39:59

Wow Dave, all that attention for a venogram.  Such enthusiasm but I am sure you are a very good patient to deal with and that makes such a difference for your medical team.  They want to please you and they clearly did.  I am sure when the big day comes for your upgrade to your CRT, you will receive exceptional care.  Great news but even better news about your wife’s aortic aneurysm repair yesterday.  I am so glad it went well and that she is coming home today.  You both have something to celebrate.

So the 37 year old lead stays in place and no more thinking or worrying what needs to be done.  Now you can focus your energy on improving your pacing experience and hopefully watching your ejection fraction improve.

I send my warmest wishes to you both.  What a success story. 

good news

by new to pace.... - 2023-11-15 10:42:53

Wow you must be really happy to hear you will be the new and improved Dave.  Also congrats with the news about your wifes' repair.

new to pace

💓Angiogenesis 😘

by Lavender - 2023-11-15 11:02:01

"The Doc explained that there was one collateral vein that may connect to the superior vena cava, but he was unsure. He said that it appeared to be open. This collateral vein was formed (by angiogenesis) when the left vein carrying the leads became occulded."


Oh and to give credit where credit is due: Thank you, God, for making our bodies so wonderously wonderful. Angio=blood vessels. Genesis=beginning, creation. 
You God are the creator, who has made our bodies self healing, creating new pathways for our life sustaining fluid. Thank you for Dave's new vessel that will serve him well. 🙏🏻🥹

Good News for Good Dog!

by Penguin - 2023-11-15 12:20:12

Really pleased for you and your wife Dave. 

Looking forward to hearing more positive news for you both going forwards.

Best wishes from me. 

Thank you all..........

by Good Dog - 2023-11-15 12:40:43

I just want to thank all of you for your kindness and consideration!

What a great bunch of folks!

Oh yeah Lavender..........and especially above all else......thank God too!

Sincerely,

Dave

great to hear

by athena123 - 2023-11-15 17:08:08

Thats excellent to hear. There's a reason good things happen to good people. stay well the both of you.

Great News!

by MinimeJer05 - 2023-11-15 18:20:31

Good Dog,

Awesome to hear about your experience. And glad to hear that they found out about your wife's heart situation before it was too late! I hope you continue to experience good news and great progress.

Enjoy the holidays!

Jer

MinimeJer05 & athena123

by Good Dog - 2023-11-16 08:10:05

 Jer & athena123,

Thanks so much!

Sincerely,

Dave 

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