Once More Into the Breach.

After much discussion between Dr. Bichell and Dr. Fish (what two better people to have around to decide what's best?), Ayden is soon heading down for an electrophysiology (EP) study and cardiac cryoablation (using cold to remove the extra pathway).  This will hopefully permanently remove the cause of the SVTs, which would mean no more need for anti-SVT medications.

Several things have come together to produce this course of action at this time (there had been talk at rounds of waiting a couple days to do the EP study and ablation).  First, Ayden continues to maintain and (slowly) improve.  I've seen a heart rate as high as 107 today, he's peeing a little bit, he's been moving around (including getting his hand up by his head, just as he likes it - see below) and responding to our voices, and his heart is squeezing better than it was on Wednesday afternoon.  Second, the conclusion has been that fixing the SVT issue should hopefully allow Ayden to come off of ECMO sooner.  Finally, there is a very real concern that if SVTs could still happen when they wean him off ECMO, and one occurs, it could do very serious damage because his system just wouldn't be strong enough to handle it.

This process will take several hours this afternoon.  The EP study will take up most of the time, as Dr. Fish will want to map the electrical pathways in Ayden's heart so that he knows exactly where he needs to go to remove the problem.  Only then will he start the ablation procedure.  With all of the connections they will have, they will be able to fairly quickly know if the ablation is having the desired effect.  All told, this could take upwards of six hours.  We will again be riding this out in the OR waiting room.  Please keep Ayden in your prayers today.  I will try to provide updates along the way, just like with his surgery.