It stands for Patent Ductus Arteriosis (I think, if I am remembering correctly). There's a valve in the heart that is open before birth. But, it is supposed to close after birth. Heather's hasn't closed so she will be needing to get that taken care of. They put a catheter up through an artery in her leg and then put a plug in it basically. I guess it creates scar tissue which closes it up. I'm a bit worried, but it's a fairly common procedure and very low risk.

Here's the think I'm TICKED about. This was detected when she had an echocardiogram done in MARCH (that's 6 months ago) and NOBODY told me. I'm sooooo mad. I even asked for her charts to be copied to me and they weren't. Her pediatrician picked up a heart murmur at her 1 year check up last week and we saw a ped. cardiologist today. I can't believe this! Luckily, there's no damage in waiting. The doctor said he would like her to have it done before the end of the year. One of the symptoms can be low weight gain. Hmmmmmm....... Heather keeps falling lower in the charts and is currently around the 10% in weight. GEESH! I'm just so irritated! I love all her doctors, but do you think someone should have caught this? The doctor who read the echo should have told us, but he didn't. I don't even know who it was, although I can find out. He's not one of our regular doctors.

We haven't scheduled it yet, but I heard from a friend that the place that is the closest (1 1/2 hours away) is ranked 6th in the nation in pediatric cardiology and that the guy that would do this procedure is THE BEST! WOOOOO! That's awesome to hear! I'll let you guys know when we set the date for the procedure.

Wow, that is a scary sounding procedure, but I am sure it is very reassuring to know that you have such a great center nearby.:hug99:
For what it is worth, my youngest sister had open heart surgery at less than a year to replace parts of her heart and it was very successful. Just scary.

How scary! I would be mad too! I hate it when Dr's don't give you all of the information! I will be thinking of you when she has her surgery!

Mary

I would be totally miffed too, Brandi - I can't believe they didn't tell you. :disbelief That's great you've got such a top-notch facility and experts near you to do the procedure. :aok:

Do you mind me asking: is this related to the TS or something totally seperate?

I would be miffed, too, Brandi. But that is great that you have such a great facility to have it done at.

One of the twins was born with a PDA, but it ended up closing up. What kind of parent am I that I dont know which kid it was :crazy:

I would be fuming too, Brandi! Thankfully waiting didn't matter. Maybe they were giving it more time to close on its own?

Hope the procedure goes well- very comforting to be at a highly ranked facility! :thumbsup:

Thank you all so much!

Alyssa - they said it's not related to her TS, but who really knows. I've already talked to a couple people who have TS kids and also this PDA. TS is such a crazy disease that I wouldn't discount anything being associated with it.

Karri - that's too funny. You had a lot going on when those two were born. I am sure you were really worried about them and not getting sleep and on top of that, you had a toddler. GEESH! I'm not sure how you could keep anything straight.

I'd be mad too at not knowing. I hope everything goes smoothly and I'll be thinking about you guys.

:bighug: I know excatly what your going through. Adam has it as well.

I don't blame you for being miffed. Our twins both had PDA's too that closed with meds but I think the meds only work when it is caught in the first month or so. I remember them telling us about the surgery and what it might entail if the meds didn't work (with Matt I think).

I hope that they are kissing your a** now and getting you in asap to have it fixed after all that.

I believe everyone is born with this but it closes within hours of birth normally. Some don't close immediately so they can give meds to close it early on. But if it's not detected, then it requires the surgery.

I hope Heather handles the surgery ok. Sounds like she'll be in good hands. :hug99:

:eek: what a thing not to tell you. I'm glad your ped found it though :aok:

Great news that you have a close place to do it and an excellent doctor.

Yep - as Brooke said, all babies are born with this valve open because when they are in the womb, blood needs to bypass the lungs. Once born, this valve should close. If it doesn't, one side of the heart has to work harder to get the blood where it needs to go. Anyway, Heather had this fixed on Friday! The procedure went great! Her doctor was wonderful. She didn't even have to stay in the hospital overnight. She did sleep most of the day, but is back to her normal self already! We are so relieved that this is over with.

I'm so grateful to hear that Heather's surgery is done and successful. Amazing that she didn't even have to stay overnight!

When do you have to go back, either to the regular dr or her surgeon, for a follow-up?

TG it is behind you and she is back to her old self!

:bighug: I hope Heather continues to do well after having this fixed.

So glad to hear that this is fixed and that she did so great!! :bighug::bighug:

I just saw your profile line and went on a search to find where you posted about this. Please excuse my ignorance for not realizing you were going through all of this:blush:

Thank god that Heather's heart is fixed!!!!!! Hope she has a speedy recovery:pray:

I just did the same as Deborah.

So glad Heather's doing so well!!

Aren't profile lines great?

Thanks everyone! She is doing great! She's quite the stinker today!

I'm so glad it went well and she is feeling well! That is great news!

Mary

I'm so happy everything went well.