Aortic valve surgery - minimally invasive: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for severe trouble breathing, fainting, sudden severe chest pain, heavy uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of stroke such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or new difficulty speaking.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical or cardiology team urgently for:
Fever or chills
Increasing wound redness, warmth, swelling, opening, or drainage
New or worsening breathlessness
A continuing fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
Rapidly increasing leg swelling or body weight
New calf pain or one-sided leg swelling
Unusual bleeding, black stools, or blood in urine
Worsening pain or pain not controlled by prescribed medicine
And for anyone, someone who:
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Use the contact instructions in your discharge plan for routine questions.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Aortic valve surgery - minimally invasive. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.