Immediately after surgery, you will be taken to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) where the open heart team, including the physicians, physician assistants, nurses and respiratory therapist will take constant care of you and monitor your vital signs and other vital bodily functions as you recover from the effects of anesthesia. The special intravenous catheters, tubes and drains placed in the operating room will remain:
What to expect
You will be connected to the ventilator by a breathing tube (endotracheal tube), until you are awake enough to breathe on your own.You will not be able to talk while this tube is in place because it is positioned between your vocal cords. However, most patients are able to have the tube removed on the day of surgery. Once the tube is removed, you will wear an oxygen mask or nasal prongs for additional oxygen and humidity.
An EKG will continue to monitor your heart rate and rhythm.
A special intravenous catheter (arterial line) will measure your blood pressure and allow the nurse to draw blood samples.
A probe on your finger (pulse oximeter) will measure your oxygenation.
An intravenous catheter (pulmonary artery catheter) inserted while you were in the operating room will measure pressures inside your heart.
A urinary catheter in your bladder will drain urine into a bag.
Chest tubes will drain blood and fluid from your chest incision into a special container to prevent a collection from forming around your heart.
Temporary pacemaker wires may be placed in your heart; if your heart rate becomes too slow following surgery, you may require a pacemaker temporarily.
