This is the first time I have been on this site I am a new mom of a beautiful 11 week old boy when he was born we were told that he had tetrology of fallot along with a malformed leftlung and liver omphalece the liver has been repaired but now instead of being able to wait until he is 6 months old to do the heart surgury the doctors have had to move it up to the next week or so. due to some other complications then last night they said that he was haveing ventricular tachacardia. I do not even know what that is. I guess that the reason that I am posting this is that I want to know if any one else has been through this and I want some reassurance I guess is the best word that my baby will be okay. (Also if anyone knows what ventricular tachacardia means if you could explain that to me that would be great.

ropinkat,

Ventricula tachycardia is a very serious condition in which the ventricles pump at too great a rate to effectively move blood through the body. It must be dealt with ASAP, in your baby's case by repairing the multiple congenital heart abnormalities that TOF presents.

From what I gather, time is less of the essence if your baby is "pink" rather than "blue."

How did the omphacele repair go? (Organs in a sack outside the body at birth.)

Thank god for the advances in pediatric surgery becaus I doubt that a baby like yours born 50 years ago would have stood much of a chance.
Good Luck to you both.

Thank you so much for your replys to my post my son is doing good and is going to surgury Tues the doctors and nurses here are wonderful thank you. :angel:

Hi ropinkat, my heart goes out to you, having to care for a special baby. I'm sure he will do well during the surgery and lead a normal life like any kid. Keep us update. :) I have got information on VT for ya below:

Ventricular tachycardia (sometimes referred to as "VT" or "V-Tach") is a potentially life-threatening rhythm disturbance. It occurs when rapid, abnormal electrical impulses arise from the ventricles. It can result in heart rates of up to 300 beats per minute! When VT occurs for only a few seconds and then stops on its own, it is called "non-sustained" VT. Non-sustained VT can cause palpitations, lightheadedness, and even fainting. "Sustained" VT is ventricular tachycardia that does not stop without medical intervention. It is most often caused by reentry within the ventricular heart muscle, and usually associated with underlying heart disease. The continuous rapid heart beat that results prevents the ventricles from filling properly, and so effective pumping stops (even though the ventricles are contracting rapidly). This causes the cardiac output (and the blood pressure) to bottom out, which can in some cases cause collapse and death. Sustained VT is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Rarely, sustained VT will be slow enough for the heart to maintain an adequate cardiac output, and will only result in weakness, lightheadedness, and palpitations. Patients with VT are generally treated by paramedics or brought to an emergency room to be treated. If a person with VT remains awake, medications can be given intravenously to stop the arrhythmia. However, most often patients with sustained VT quickly go into Cardiac Arrest (a life-threatening condition of unconsciousness associated with no detectable pulse or blood pressure). In this case, electrical cardioversion (a shock across the chest) is necessary to stop the abnormal electrical signals and rapidly restore a normal rhythm to save the person's life. Intensive medical treatment is usually necessary to prevent recurrent sustained VT. Often, medical therapy is not effective, and surgery is required. The surgical treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia usually involves the insertion of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator or "ICD." An ICD is an electrical device that can automatically shock the heart back into a normal rhythm if ventricular tachycardia occurs. This device has been in use since 1985 and has saved the lives of many people who would otherwise have been sent home to die. Recent advances in ICD technology have made it relatively safe to insert. In addition, sustained VT can now be stopped by the ICD with the use of "anti-tachycardia pacing," a rapid, painless stimulation of the ventricles that avoids the need for an uncomfortable shock. In fact, the most recent medical research has demonstrated that ICDs are more effective than medical therapy in selected cases. Invasive testing of the electrical system of the heart by a cardiac electrophysiologist (an Electrophysiologic Study) should be performed in cases of sustained VT. Rarely, VT can occur in the absence of underlying heart disease. This condition is often called "Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia." It includes several unusual electrical disturbances that, in general, are less severe than the VT that occurs in the setting of underlying heart disease. It can be exercise-induced, or it may occur anytime. This arrhythmia may require medical therapy to prevent recurrent symptoms, but usually is not life-threatening.

Since your baby has VT as a complication from TOF, he might not need the ICD implantation. I'm sure your baby is in great hands of the medical staffs. :angel:

My heart goes out to you and your family,
I am the mother of a wonderful 10 yr old girl, the first year of her life was a battle. She had her 1st open heart at 2 days and 2 more before her 4th year of life.
It is very scarey and I will keep you in my thoughts.
As for your son's condition I remember a child on the cardiac floor with us, having that particular surgery and he did well.(TOF)
kelly

To keep everyone updated my son will go in for surgury on Thurs it was suppose to be Tues but they had to postpone it. Thank you for all of your thoughts and I will keep updating this post and also thank you for the information I truly appriciate it

Just to keep everyone updated my son had his surgury it is still extremely touch and go they had problems getting him off of the bypass machine his blood pressure dropped he is doing better now but they say that he will be in the hospital for 2 to 3 more months I am just happy that he made it through it. There are some angels that are watching out for him for sure :angel: :angel:

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your son. I understand how concerned you are and I thought I'd try to help...
Here's a little information about Ventricular Tachycardia --

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a fast heart rate that starts in the lower chambers (ventricles). VT may result from serious heart disease; it usually requires prompt treatment. If treatment is required, it includes medicines and treating the cause, if possible. The type and length of treatment depends on what's causing the problem. In some people radiofrequency ablation or surgery may be needed to control the tachycardia.
(http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11)

*You can find more information on VT at these websites:

http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/Common/articles.cfm?ARTID=493

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/ventricular_tachycardia.html

Americanheart.org is also very infomative as is a google search.

I hope I helped you and that your son has a VERY successful surgery and a quick recovery. :) He'll be in our prayers.

I'm glad to hear that your son made through the surgery! Hope that he has a speedy recovery and will be able to go home soon! :angel: Good Luck. :)

i can't imagine what you are going through with worry. i have a baby too and we had a very tough time durring labor and delivery and he were both almost lost. i will pray for you and your baby boy. i really hope you all pull through this. :angel:

Hello to everyone My son is doing great we had quite a scare Thursday during and after surgury we got close to loseing him but he is a fighter and pulled through he is off alot of his heart meds and the pace maker every once in a while he throws and odd beat out but that is okay they hope to close up his chest tomorrow and then we will start to try to ween him off of the ventilator all in all he has pulled through wonderfully. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers and your help I will keep everyone updated on how he does. Thank you again :angel: :angel: :wave:

great to hear the good news. just so you know my son was born in respitory failure and was hooked up to every machine. it was very hard to deal with at first but no matter what you need to know that he is under all those wires and buttons and knows that you are there by his side. i will continue to think of you and your family. he is doing great now, and your son will too.