Bi-directional Glenn
Hello,
Some of you have been asking and wondering what will all be done with Braden's next surgery. Hopefully we can simplify the explanation without confusion. This next surgery is called the Bi-directional Glenn.
Normal Heart Function:
Right Ventricle's Job - take in deoxygenated blood from the body and pump it to the lungs to get oxygen.
Left Ventricle's Job - take in the oxygenated blood from the lungs and pump it out to the body.
This entire 3 step surgery process will eventually re-route the blood flow, allowing Braden's right ventricle to do all of the work of the left ventricle. The right ventricle will no longer have its original function. The Glenn (surgery 2) and Fontan (surgery 3) will "block off" the blood flow to the right ventricle and send it directly to the lungs instead. Sending the blood directly to the lungs will allow the right ventricle to take over for the left ventricle.
More detailed explanation:
Unoxygenated blood is brought into the heart by both the superior and inferior vena cavas. The Glenn surgery will take the blood coming in through the superior vena cava first and adjust the blood flow so that it goes directly into the pulminary arteries. The pulminary arteries will then take the blood directly to the lungs. In his final surgery (the Fontan), a shunt will be placed so that the blood flow from the inferior vena cava can be brought up to the pulminary arteries, so it too can send the blood directly to the lungs.
Hope this helps,
Steph
PS....I know, I know......a visual would help, but this is all we can do for an explanation on the blog :-)
posted by The Petska Family @ 11/18/2006 10:03:00 PM
3 Comments:
From Mac and Jen
Our thoughts and prayers will be with lil' Braden for this next big step. Thanks for the medical school info...I learned more from that than what my Doc's told me when they put in my mechanical valve! It is amazing and wonderful what can be done, just know we are thinking of all of you and your families. Give thanks and keep smiling!
Love,
The Manitowoc crew...
Hi Steph - Here is a link that has a description of the Bi-directional Glenn surgery and a diagram of the procedure (which you can click on to enlarge).
Hope that helps those who are interested in the details of the surgery~
Jenny (Houston) Cook
http://www.inova.com/inovapublic.srt/heart/pediatric_services/cardiac_surgery/bidirectional_glenn.html
Hi Steph, Rich and Braden! First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that it is a wonderful one for all of you. Braden sure has grown and what a cutie!!! We will keep you in our prayers on the 29th and will be checking your blog. Until then, take care and much love to all of you! Cousin Bonnie
Post a Comment
<< Home