Bob is still at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. He saw his surgeon and two cardiologists today to review what to do about his ongoing atrial flutter. They tried to cardiovert him three times today but were not successful. During cardioversion paddles are used to send an impulse of electricity through his heart in order to hopefully reset the electrical activity so that the heart can resume its normal function. They feel that post-operative inflammation is either causing the flutter, preventing them from correcting the flutter or both. For now they will wait 4-6 weeks to see in the flutter goes away as his inflammation heals. If the flutter remains, they will likely try to cardiovert him again. If they are not successful, a pacemaker will be placed.

While Bob has flutter his atria or the small chambers of the heart do not empty as they should. This dramatically increases the risk that a blood clot will form in the atria. Such clots can dislodge and travel to other parts of the body. If a clot forms in his right atria and then dislodges, it will go to his lung and cause a pulmonary embolism which is a life threatening condition. If the clot forms in this left atrium and then dislodges, it can go to his brain and cause a stroke. In order to prevent these serious complications, Bob has been placed on a blood thinner called Coumadin. This is the same chemical that is found in some types of mouse and rat poison. Bob will have blood tests periodically to make sure his coumadin levels are therapeutic (at the right level).

Lastly, while Esther was visiting today, one of the cardiologists told them that Bob's risk of heart attack would be higher if he were to go home now and that his risk will be lower in the hospital or rehab center. This news helped mom and Bob feel better about their decision to have Bob go to a rehab center for a few weeks.