This is a continuation of my participation in the Stem Cell Research Program (referred to as CADUCEUS) with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. I volunteered to be a part of this Stem Cell Research Program because I have NO health insurance and I wanted the best health care available at Cedars. ~Wayne McDonald
On January 27, 2010 I was checked in at 6:30am for my stem cell biopsy (Check-in is two hours before a procedure).
The heart attack was on the LAD - Left Anterior Descending artery. The stem cell biopsy uses a catheter through a vein in the neck and then carefully threaded into the heart. The doctor uses moving x-ray images (fluoroscopy) to guide the catheter to the correct area. Once in position, a special device with jaws on the tip is used to remove small pieces (about 8 tissue samples about the size of a pin head) of tissue from the RIGHT heart muscle (healthy side-no heart attack).
At 7:30am I was in the operating room for my my stem cell biopsy. I was given a local numbing medicine (anesthetic) in my right neck. Because the anesthetic was a local, I was awake through the procedure. The entire procedure was about 30 minutes.
After the procedure I was moved upstairs for monitoring --- blood draws every 8 hours to check my heart damage markers or cardiac enzymes, vital signs, and echocardiogram.
I was sent home about 4pm with a Holter monitor on my chest to wear home for 48 hour monitoring.
Note: This is an ongoing update of my HEALTHY recovery after a heart attack on New Years Eve 12-31-2009. Please click-on the category HEART DISEASE to read all my updates. ~Wayne McDonald, age 54 and 136 pounds - healthy.
Holter monitor
A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart's rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 - 48 hours during normal activity. A Holter monitor is like a ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram that records the electrical activity of the heart).
Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto the patient's chest and attached to a small recording monitor. The patient carries the Holter monitor in a pocket or small pouch worn around the neck or waist. The monitor is battery operated.
While wearing the monitor, it records the heart's electrical activity. The patient keeps a written diary of what activities are done while wearing the monitor. After 24 - 48 hours, the monitor is returned to the doctor's office. The doctor will look at the records and see if there have been any irregular heart rhythms.
More information about the Holter monitor and ECG.
Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto the patient's chest and attached to a small recording monitor. The patient carries the Holter monitor in a pocket or small pouch worn around the neck or waist. The monitor is battery operated.
While wearing the monitor, it records the heart's electrical activity. The patient keeps a written diary of what activities are done while wearing the monitor. After 24 - 48 hours, the monitor is returned to the doctor's office. The doctor will look at the records and see if there have been any irregular heart rhythms.
More information about the Holter monitor and ECG.
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