Update on Bennett's Cor Triatriatum and Heart Surgery

We met with Bennett's heart surgeon Monday.  Here is what we know so far.... Dr. Kavarana is a Very nice and knowledgeable man! Bennett will be on heart/lung bypass, she will have 1 drain tube. It will be a 3 hour surgery. She will be in PCICU 1-2 days with average of 5 day over all stay. They will put an IV line in her neck that will allow the doctor to check pressures etc in her heart.. He drew diagrams and went over complications that could arise. Pulmonary hypertension would be major risk if surgery is  not done. Her pressure in her lungs is slightly elevated according to echo done by Dr. Trant. It would be a Riskier surgery if we wait and pressure builds......the right side of her heart is working harder than it should be and over time could cause congestive heart failure if not fixed. He has done five of these surgeries with patients ranging in age from infant to 26. All successful. He was confident Bennett would do well! He is mostly concerned about elevated blood pressure in her lungs immediately after surgery but said they would give her nitrous oxide and a drug with the same active ingredient as Viagra to lower pressure if that happens.....he said 5% chance of it happening in Bennett's case. She will be on morphine for pain and then Lasix and Tylenol with codeine once discharged home with follow up 10-14 days post op.....4-6 week time before returning to full rough house play/school.....