One of the reasons for being put back on the vent could have been that he was having ventricular dysrrhythmias, such as vtach (fast beats) or vfib (the pumping part just kinda quivering). These are common occurrances when one is removed from a vent, and it is not quite time to do so. Your dad, perhaps, just needs some more time on the vent, giving the heart some time to get stronger after the bypass. I am not sure without seeing the chart.

As far as the kidneys go, if they are not being perfused adequately, they will show some signs of stress, and the urine output will go down if the heart is having any difficulty pumping. (The heart may beat faster, but ultimately send less blood to the kidneys.) Once again, the extra stability of the vent O2 may be a good thing. The vtach/fib would not pump adequately to perfuse (blood going through) the kidneys.

I will keep your dad in my prayers. Please know that it is normal to have someone on a form of sedation while on the vent in order to prevent some of the restlessness that can occur while on a vent. The restlessness puts more O2 demand on the heart muscle, which needs to be avoided immediately post open heart surgery.

Evelyn, if you have any questions, ask the nurse. He or she should be more than happy to answer them if the doc is not there. And, the nurse should have way more time to answer to your content.

I don’t know everything, but do know some, since I work in the CVICU. Still learning, and always will, though.

Thoughts and prayers with you, Evelyn, and your dad.

Whatever thy hands find to do, do it with all thy might. Ecc. 9:10

Joan Geohegan