In-hospital care after TAVI

Your legs may swell after a heart procedure. Here are ways you can help decrease swelling and improve circulation:

• Do ankle pumping, lower leg exercises, and walk frequently. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
• When resting in bed, use pillows to raise your legs higher than your heart.
• You may be instructed to wear tensor bandages.
• DO NOT cross your legs – this limits blood flow.

Swelling should decrease within a few days or weeks. If you notice persistent swelling in both ankles, let your doctor know.

Some people may become sad, depressed or more emotional after a major health incident. It is often related to medications, loss of sleep, and stress. Your loved ones may also experience several emotions, including helplessness, fear and over protectiveness. These feelings may come and go over a period of time and usually pass in 6 to 12 weeks. If these feelings continue for several months, please speak with your family doctor.

After TAVI, it is possible for you to experience temporary changes to your thinking and behaviour. You may become disoriented, forgetful or have difficulty thinking clearly. Your health-care team will ask you questions to assess your level of delirium and determine the best ways to help prevent or manage your condition.

Each patient experiences pain and discomfort in a different way. After a TAVI, you may feel discomfort around the puncture site for a few days. If the medication is not providing relief, or you are having angina or other chest pain, speak with a member of your health-care team.

If the medication is not providing relief, or you are having angina or other chest pain, speak with a member of your health-care team.

Constipation is common as a result of your pain medication, reduced activity levels or iron supplements. While in hospital, you will be given a stool softener to avoid straining your body. Make sure you eat foods that are high in fibre (fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals), and drinking enough fluids each day. Do not strain. If constipation is a problem, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor.

It is important to your recovery to rest and sleep. After a procedure, it is common to have temporary changes of sleep habits. You may have difficulty sleeping because of pain or anxiety. Consult your doctor if you have trouble sleeping.

Changes may be made to your medications after your hospital stay. New medications may be added for long-term heart protection, and you may be prescribed some temporary medications to help with pain. Some of your previous medication such as blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, diuretics (water pills) or blood thinners may be adjusted or discontinued.

A new prescription will be given to you on the day that you are discharged – this prescription will be a complete list of all the medications you are to take when you go home. A member of your health-care team will review your medications with you before you go home. Your family doctor or cardiologist will review these medications on your follow-up appointments and provide refills as needed.

Fill your discharge prescription on the day you go home to avoid missing any medications. You may fill your prescription at your local community pharmacy. If you have any questions about your medications, contact your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist.

Antibiotics before dental appointments and invasive procedures

Now that you have a new aortic heart valve, for the rest of your life, you need to take antibiotics one hour before a dental appointment for teeth cleaning or procedures. You also need antibiotics one hour before invasive medical procedures such as colonoscopy, cystoscopy, and endoscopy. Your dentist, family doctor or specialist doing the procedure will give you a prescription.