Cath Lab, Cardio Cath, Heart Catheterization, Angioplasty, Angiogram. It has many names, but it’s all basically the same from what I can tell.
Anyway, the results came back as expected. The wee one’s heart kind of looks like this:
I found a diagram of a heart online and just sort of filled in the blanks. I did my best to show what issues there are. If you had quizzed me on this stuff a year ago, I would have failed miserably. But now it’s such a big part of my life, I just sort of know it. Wouldn’t even have to peek on test!
The other issue – not pictured – that they learned about during his first surgery (and confirmed in the cath lab) was that the left coronary artery on the outside of the heart crosses over from the right side instead of coming straight down from the left – called Aberrant LAD Coronary Artery. It doesn’t affect the heart’s function at all, but is just important to know for his future surgeries so that it doesn’t accidentally get cut. That would be bad.
Hopefully having a visual will help people have a better understanding of what is going on in there. Explaining it only in words is so complicated and confusing. I know I didn’t understand a darn thing until the cardiologist drew me a picture.
So there you go.
who knew it could be so dang complicated, thank heavens for modern technology, medicine, and information! we love stevieP!
Yikes. You are an amazing mommy.
Aren’t these pieces of artwork fascinating? I hate that we both have them. 🙁
Sending lots of good thoughts and love to that little heart.