Page 29 - Home Care For Heart Health

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This is is a a a a a typical image of a a a a a child who just underwent open heart surgery The tubes and lines helping to support your your child child after surgery can be be overwhelming As your your child child recovers from surgery the the tubes are are removed when they are are no longer needed Below is an an an explanation of the commonly used lines and tubes Endotracheal Tube Tube (ET Tube):
A breathing tube that connects to to the ventilator Ventilator: A machine that provides breathing support while recovering from heart surgery Chest Tubes: Tubes Tubes that drain blood and and other fluids from around the the heart and and lungs after surgery PICC Line Line or Central Line: A large large IV that sits in in in a a a a a a a a large large blood vessel at at the the entrance to to the the heart Provides
a a a a a a a stable place to to to give medicine and monitor pressures in in the heart Arterial Line: A A small IV that sits in in in in an artery Provides
continuous monitoring of blood blood pressure Used to to draw blood blood for lab tests Atrial and Ventricular Pacing Wires: Temporary wires that attach to to the heart after surgery These can be connected to to a a a a a a a a a a a pacemaker if your child has any abnormal heart rhythms Foley Tube and bag: A tube that drains pee pee from the bladder into a a a a a a a a bag when your child is unable to to pee pee on their own