I ended up in ICU on Wednesday morning.

[Des]

I am going to the cardiologist Friday morning..... (28th Aug)

I am getting a check up on the SVT that I had...
He will book me for a angiogram. Can anybody tell me what to expect when they do an angiogram? Is it just another x-ray or do you go under? Do they use "color"?(contrast)

Any help would be much appreciated.

[dwcrawford]

Yes, they use a color contract and had a nephrologist there for mine as well  as the cardiologist, as it kindey issue.  They don't really put you to sleep.  (think it is called a cocktail) But you know nothing of the procedure and other than waiting to see if the dye stuff leaves the kidney there is no residual from it.  The angio gram is an outpatient procedure but  you may be hospitalized because of the possible kidney  issue.  I was.  It was quite fun and you can say nasty things to them without being held accountable.

[Chris]

When I had mine done, I spear the prep
I was given meds to help relax, but knew what was going on and felt pressure in the leg. They had to use two different meds on me because of something and I was passing out while on the table which is not good. After the procedure they checked my blood levels to see if a certain level has decreased enough to deem safe to discharge. Mine wasn't going down fast enough, but not sure if that was due to renal failure or not and then when I was finally allowed to have a drink of fluids (I was sooo dry mouthed), I ended up coughing a lot and bleeding even though nurses where putting pressure on my my incision site. It was embarrassing in many ways to have that procedure done and then end up coughing bad from a drink and nurses holding you down while your springing a leak all over.

The god part was I got to watch the procedure on the flouroscope, bad part was being hospitalized and not being able to get up for 24 plus hours.

[Sunny]

Des,
I hope the heart is in good condition and everything works out well for you.
Do they know what caused the problem? Was it the potassium issue others mentioned or was an explanation ever provided?

[Rerun]

They sedate you and go up through a vein in your groin to your heart.  They use a contrast dye and make sure you drink lots of water to flush that out.  They need to put pressure on the site for about 4 hours.  You have to be still for a few days.  No bending over to pick up something off the floor.  They don't want the scab to pop off because it is a major blood vessel.

Best of luck.

[Des]

Des,
I hope the heart is in good condition and everything works out well for you.
Do they know what caused the problem? Was it the potassium issue others mentioned or was an explanation ever provided?

They have not given me any reason yet...... the bloodtests they did just after the SVT, did not show anything.?!

[Des]

Thanks everyone for replying..

Now I am worried people!

I do not want the contrast to damage my kidney function. I am on the borderline stage4 to stage 5 and I don't want to cross that line at any cost.

Oh... and it sounds dangerous as well.

The things one have to go through is just mind bogling.! (spell check )

Well , I will keep you posted.

[KICKSTART]

I dont know what to say except i will be thinking of you , its horrible to have to face things like this on top of everything else. I know how scary it can be , i was high potassium and my heart was racing but it never got to the stage of yours , phew! Wishing you all the best and holding a virtual hand ! KS

[Des]

Thanks KS....
I am a real baby

[Chris]

It's a "Catch 22" Find out what's going on to keep you alive, yet possibly ruin your kidney function further. Wonder why they haven't come up with a safe contrast yet if they know this can hamper renal function 

You'll be fine Des. Worst part to me was the prep they do before the procedure and then having a couple nurses in the room holding down your groin which to me  is 

[Des]

hehehheheh

So you are saying I have to have a bikini wax?

Oh My?!

[Chris]

Ummmmmm
Better if you do it than have them do it is all I can say with a dry razor 

[CCStan]

Thanks everyone for replying..

Now I am worried people!

I do not want the contrast to damage my kidney function. I am on the borderline stage4 to stage 5 and I don't want to cross that line at any cost.

Oh... and it sounds dangerous as well.

The things one have to go through is just mind bogling.! (spell check )

Well , I will keep you posted.
Des, Sorry to hear about your scary situation.  The contrast dye is hard on the kidneys.  Stan has had several angiograms before and after starting dialysis.  But the cardilogist had him drink mucinex to counteract the effects on the kidneys.

Ask your neph or cardio, for  Rx before procedure.

[CCStan]

Des, Excuse my last suggestion .I had a DUH moment.. ..it is NOT mucimex it is "MUCOMYST" it is used for respirtory probs, but also used as a inhibitor for contrast dye in ESRD patients to save kidney function.

[Des]

Thanks I will ask the doc tomorrow if he can use it.....

[YLGuy]

Des, you are in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well tomorrow. 

[Des]

Thanks ,

I just have the check-up tomorrow and I'll do the booking for the Angiogram.

I hope it goes well......... as well. hehehhe

[Des]

Just came back from the check-up.... small problem .. my blood pressure is 189/109. He changed my meds immediately and he will look at it again next week 4 Sept when he does the Angiogram.

No wonder I have been feeling kinda crappy since the SVT.

Oh and he won't use the Mucomyst at all but he said he will use about a third of the contrast he would normally use ..... it does damage the kidneys though....

(although he was VERY impressed for me suggesting it hehhehehehe) Thanks.

[KICKSTART]

Maybe your like me and my blood pressure soots up at the sight of a doctor !   

[YLGuy]

9/4/09...Big day!  I hope all goes well for you.   
It also just happens to be my oldest son's B'Day.  He turns 18. 

[Chris]

I'm with kickstart about bp shooting up when you go to the doctors. Seems mine does the same

[Des]

So funny... I know my heart rate went up.... he is a hotty!

[Des]

9/4/09...Big day!  I hope all goes well for you.   
It also just happens to be my oldest son's B'Day.  He turns 18. 

I know we will both have something to celebrate on that day!!!
Me - a healthy heart and your son's B Day.