My Friend Had Brain Surgery Four Days Ago To Repair

Posted on Wed, 20 Mar 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : My friend had brain surgery four days ago to repair a brain aneurysm. She woke up from the surgery yesterday morning and was alert and aware and seemed to be doing well. Today they put her on a respirator to try to raise her blood pressure. I am not at the hospital with her and have no contact with her doctors. I am relying on information from her family members who are not very forthcoming. I am very worried about her having need of a ventilator. Is this common following such serious surgery? What kind of complications could cause her low blood pressure? She has rheumatoid arthritis and had a heart attack about 20 years ago. Her heart attack was due to a blood clot. She has a leak from a valve in her heart. Can you give me any information about how critical her situation is? I know I’m not giving you much to go on but at this point it is all the information I have. Thank you for your help.

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Using Ventilator is routine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.

I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

After any major surgery, some patients will not recover from Anaesthesia or cannot breathe spontaneously. Then, Ventilator will be used for assistance in breathing till she takes breathing on her own.
Blood pressure can be maintained by Medicines. Blood pressure can be low due to Blood loss during surgery,drugs etc. It can be recovered.
Few hours/days after surgery,she may be removed from Ventilator if she breathes normally on her own.
Nothing to worry.
Hope I answered your query.If you have any questions,I will clarify further.
Wish her good health and speedy recovery.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (8 hours later)

Thank you very much for your response. I feel more hopeful. When I hear of someone being put on a ventilator, I panic. It helps to know it’s a common practice after such serious surgery. I appreciate getting an answer when I could provide so little information.

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you for your response

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for your response.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D