My close friend has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart. She is 6 months pregnant with triplets. They want to inject dye to her heart via a catheter through her leg. Does anyone know ANYTHING about this???? Is this too dangerous? For her or the babies? What exactly does an enlarged heart mean for her? I am very worried and usually have a lot of knowledge about things but I am clueless about this and would appreciate any information anyone has. Thanks in advance.
D.
Have her talk about the risks and the options for them. My mom's best friend has heart issues and had a reaction to the dye that is used for the procedure. She had no idea that she was allergic or would have had a reaction. They now know and can proceed with other measures.
Just know all the risks and ask about options for them.
My logical brain tells me that increased blood flow in the body from the triplets is causing the enlarged heart. I'm sure the drs. are thinking that too but want to rule out any other possible cause. The dye would be so that they can track the blood flow coming to and from the heart to be sure there isn't a problem. Remember Google is your friend and I'm betting you can find lots of information on the 'net about this very thing. I wouldn't hesitate to get a second or third opinion unless there is some danger to the babies if she waits.
I have 5 yr old triplets but no advice on the enlarge heart. But I'm part of a great a support group called Keeping Pace with Multiple Mircales and I'm sure someone there can help.Their main office is in West Bridgewater. 194 S. Main St.Here is their info.Good luck and if your friend needs any advice on triplets please have her e-mail me ____@____.com name is Niki
Keeping Pace with Mutliple Mircales
W. Bridgewater, MA 02379
Directions
TEL: ###-###-####
FAX: ###-###-####
EMAIL:
____@____.com
Sadly I know a lot about this. I am a cardiac critical care nurse. Your friend could have a peri-partum cardiomyopathy. A cardiomyopathy is when the heart is enlarges and does not squeeze the right way. At my hospital, we have seen maybe 5 women in the last 3 years where the enlarged heart is due to the pregnancy. But before this is determined, other things need to be evaluated. Such as coronary artery disease. We look at the arteries supplying the heart by putting a catheter in the femoral artery and injecting a contrast dye. It is visible by x-ray. It is usually pretty harmless. It is iodine based. The docs look for blockages that could have damaged the heart tissue by depriving it of oxygen rich blood. That causes the heart muscle to re-shape. Thus making the heart beat less effectively. Causing heart failure. Was your friend short of breath or having chest pain? I am sure that she has also had a cardiac ultrasound to look at the shape of her heart and the condition of the valves.
Sometimes women with this deliver their babies and are fine. It could just be the stress of the pregnancy. But other times it is more serious.
She should be wathed very closely by her OB and a cardiologist with special knowledge of pregnancy and heart failure. I hope this is helpful and too scary for you. Please support your friend any ways you can. Good Luck to her.
I'm sure you are worried about your friend, but the doctors are probably watching her very closely. The only concern I would have with a catheter up her leg would be possible blood clots after the procedure... but I'm sure the docs wouldn't do that if that were a risk, or they'd tell your friend that it was a risk. For dye, I'm not sure how far they have to insert the catheter - is it all the way to the heart? I was going to get an ablation done to areas of my heart and they would approach it the same way - and they told me a risk (although LOW) after the procedure would be clotting or infection. Good luck and please keep us posted.
