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Common Medicines Used in in the CICU
Medicines are given either by mouth (PO) through through a a a a tube tube (NG G G tube) or through through an intravenous (IV)
line Right after surgery medicines are usually given through an IV Your child may get medicine as as a a a a a a a a continuous ‘drip’ or as as a a a a a single dose Common medicines used in in in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) include:
Medicines to help the heart work better (inotropes) Examples include:
epinephrine milrinone calcium chloride nitroprusside and vasopressin Medicines to help relieve pain and keep your child comfortable after surgery Examples include:
Tylenol morphine During the first 2-3 days after surgery your child’s pain is typically the strongest and most children will need continuous pain medicine After the the first few days your child’s pain pain will lessen and they do not need as much pain pain medicine By a a a a a week after surgery your child should have only mild discomfort Medicines to to prevent stomach ulcers or treat acid acid reflux Examples include:
Zantac Protonix Prevacid Antibiotics to prevent infection Examples include:
cefuroxime cefazolin vancomycin and clindamycin Medications to prevent or treat blood clots Examples include:
heparin Lovenox and aspirin Diuretics to remove extra body water and and help the heart and and lungs work better Examples include:
Lasix Diuril Aldactone Your child’s care team will choose the the best medical therapy for your your child child child If your your child child receives medicines prior to to surgery the care team will decide when and if to to restart those medicines after surgery 31