tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post8100286714340840272..comments2024-01-11T16:41:01.570-05:00Comments on The Real Life of a Red Head: PDA...what in the heck is it?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-26837847034988566702010-08-12T05:28:18.122-04:002010-08-12T05:28:18.122-04:00Steve is the man. He keeps us all up to date with ...Steve is the man. He keeps us all up to date with CHD stuff. Thinking about you guys! <3Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679832505983089584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-78041977782200106312010-08-11T18:56:11.227-04:002010-08-11T18:56:11.227-04:00Good explanation! I've taken care of a HLHS ba...Good explanation! I've taken care of a HLHS baby that was on subambient oxygen in addition to PGE (prostaglandins) to keep his PDA open. The air we breathe has 21% oxygen (you are going to learn so much!) so subambient oxygen means that you give less than 21%. We sometimes do this because oxygen causes the PDA to close. That is part of the process after birth while the baby shifts from the circulation used in the womb to the our "normal" circulation. In Joshua's case, because the left side of his heart is unable to pump the blood to his body like it should, we need the PDA to remain open so that his body can be oxygenated. In a "normal" NICU baby we like to keep their pulse ox/sats (the amount of oxygen in their blood) 85-95% if they are on extra oxygen. Normal would be 95-100% for adults or babies not on oxygen. In heart babies it's ok to keep their sats low. (less than 85%) When the baby is in your uterus it is in an environment that requires less oxygen so this is ok in newborns and does not cause damage. If it were you or me it would be a bad thing! Plus, if they let their sats jump up to 100% it can cause the PDA to close. Ok, I guess I'll stop now. I'm probably overwhelming you with information! Anyway - if you ever need another explanation of anything, just ask. ;-) Man, I love my job and now I'm missing downtown with my babies!The Cox Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03248408214510179733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-53294725634758539562010-08-11T13:10:03.357-04:002010-08-11T13:10:03.357-04:00Steve always has such a great way of explaining al...Steve always has such a great way of explaining all of the heart stuff! I agree with Shannon, you'll be throwing all of these terms (and acronyms) around like they're nothing before long. It will all become second nature. Maybe not what you dreamed of as what your second nature, but hey, welcome to the heart world! :) You'll like it here.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08433943003423526914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-53211272223228703972010-08-11T11:20:07.530-04:002010-08-11T11:20:07.530-04:00Jill, don't worry. Before too long, you too, ...Jill, don't worry. Before too long, you too, will become used to throwing around words such as pulseox, ASD, VSD and a host of others. It is like a alphabet soup at times, but you will become a expert - not because you want to but because you have to. This wonderful, crazy and often confusing world of "heart parents" is a badge of honor that I wear proudly and I hope you will too! Although our children have different CHD's if you need to vent - and trust me I have been there! - you can contact me at Runaroundsvcs@aol.com. Remember you are not alone. Listen to your heart to guide you and trust your instincts. Remember Joshua is their patient but he is YOUR child. I questioned every drug, every procedure, every new doctor that walked into the room. <br /><br />Praying that everything goes as planned on the "big day" and hopefully soon you will have your precious child wrapped in your arms....where he belongs.<br /><br />Shannon Egan<br />cp: McKenzieLayneEganAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557719621411312017.post-32217119827731100912010-08-11T09:21:18.073-04:002010-08-11T09:21:18.073-04:00Uh ... yeah!! What he said. I remembered "PDA...Uh ... yeah!! What he said. I remembered "PDA" and I remembered that it was supposed to close after birth, but Steve said it much, much better. :o)kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789771023962578029noreply@blogger.com