In the Intensive Care Unit
After your procedure, you will be transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). You will be carefully monitored for the first 24 hours after your TAVI procedure.
CORONARY CARE UNIT VISITING HOURS
Visits to the CCU are arranged through the volunteer desk on the main floor of the Heart Institute. There is a family lounge available on the main floor where you can wait while the volunteers arrange for you to visit your family members.
PROGRESS REPORTS
While you are in CCU, we recommend you appoint one family member to act as a contact person. Your contact person can call the CCU at 613-696-7000 x14751 to ask about your progress at any time.
WHILE YOU ARE IN THE CORONARY CARE UNIT
For the first four hours after your implant procedure, expect the nurse to be constantly reminding you to keep both legs straight. This is very important to prevent bleeding from the insertion sites in your groin. There may still be some intravenous tubes in your groin.
Your nurse will be checking with you regularly to make sure you are comfortable. Let the nurse know if you are having any pain.
Depending on your progress, you will begin to gradually increase your activity with time. This will begin with sitting up in bed, then sitting in a chair and then walking.
When your condition is stable, most of the specialized monitoring equipment will be removed and you will be transferred to the nursing ward.
Your diet will be clear fluids at first and will return to your regular diet a few days after your implant procedure.
Most of the specialized monitoring equipment will be removed once you are ready for transfer to the nursing ward.
When your condition is stable and you are able to sit up, you will be transferred to the fourth or fifth floor nursing units.
Recovering on the Nursing Ward
You will be able to gradually increase your level of activity with assistance. Every day you will be able to do more activity and walk farther. If you are having trouble with getting up and mobilizing, a physiotherapist will provide you with specific exercises and information to help you get back to your usual level of activity.
As your appetite improves, you will gradually resume your regular diet. You may be wearing a cardiac monitor for at least 48 hours.
Blood tests, X-rays and electrocardiograms (ECGs) will be done during your stay. Before you leave the Heart Institute, an echocardiogram or ultrasound of your heart will be done.
The nurse will check your insertion sites to monitor for any problems and teach you what to look for as you heal. A small bruise or a small soft lump at the sit e where the tube was placed for the procedure is normal. It is also normal t o experience bruising at the site, sometimes spreading quite a bit.
Notify your nurse or doctor if you have any of the following problems with the insertion site:
- An expanding lump or a persistent area of redness and warmth,
- Yellow drainage from the insertion site,
- Worsening numbness in your leg,
- Severe discomfort at the insertion site.
IF YOU HAVE A CHEST INCISION
If you had a chest incision, the nurse will remove the dressing on the third day after your procedure. If there is no drainage, then it will be left open to the air. Keep an eye on your incision. Wash it gently every day with a non-drying soap, rinse, and pat dry.
Notify your nurse or doctor if any of the following occur:
- The incision becomes very red and tender,
- The incision becomes more painful,
- The incision starts to leak or drain pus,
- You develop a fever.