Yesterday, Aidan had his consultation with a cardiologist from UCLA. We (Jake, my family, and myself) were under the impression that Aidan would not be required to have surgery. From what I have read and researched, typically a coarctation can be repaired using a stent. The doctor inserts a catheter into the femoral artery (leg artery) and threads a balloon/stent to the area, inflates the balloon, places the stent, and bada bing... 30 minutes later the procedure is complete!
Wow, were we misinformed. Due to Aidan's age and size, he is not a candidate for stent placement. Talk about being blindsided. We were all under the impression that this could be corrected with the minimally invasive catheter/stent placement. The cardiologist informed us that he could place a balloon in Aidan's aorta and partially open up the narrowed portion... Let me rephrase, the physician actually said, "it would tear the tissue and essentially weaken that portion of his aorta. Placing him at risk for aneurysm..." So, when someone is telling you that they want to "tear" your son's aorta and place him at risk for an aortic aneurysm, you better believe we all had a collective HELL NO! So where does that leave us?
Surgery.
The second option for treatment is what they call an end-to-end anastomosis. I had trouble finding a good image, but I will do my best to explain. Imagine a water hose that has been pinched shut... what the doctor will do is go in through the side (ribs! ouchie!) and he will cut out the "pinched water hose" and sew the two healthy portions back together.
So what does surgery entail? I am not sure exactly. According to James & Ashwill (2007)the procedure is called a "thoracotomy" which means they will make an incision along the ribs and separate the muscle so they can enter through the side of the body. This would mean, much much more pain and a longer hospital stay. But there is more... along with the coarctation, Aidan also has Mitral Valve Stenosis. Or, at least they think he does. He needs to have another diagnostic test to determine how extensive the valve damage. IF, the damage is severe... this would mean Aidan would need an actual open heart procedure. We are praying that is not the case!
Tomorrow... Jake and I are taking Aidan to UCLA to meet with a cardiothoracic surgeon. We are also considering obtaining a second opinion from Valley Children's Hospital in Madera. Wish us luck! Hi-ho, hi-ho... off to UCLA we go!
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