Gastric Tube

A small tube is placed from your mouth or nose into your stomach to keep the stomach empty of air and fluid. This helps prevent risk of vomiting. This tube is taken out when the breathing tube is removed. You will then be able to take ice chips and liquids by mouth, and your diet will slowly return to normal. It is quite common to feel very hungry. Eat what you can as long as you are not sick to your stomach.

Heart Monitor

Your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and heart pressures are displayed on the bedside screen. These "waveforms" give the heart team vital data about your heart and blood stream. The heart rate and rhythm are obtained through pads placed on the skin. Your blood pressure is obtained through a small tube placed in a blood vessel in your wrist. This tube, or arterial line, is also used to withdraw blood samples so you won't need blood drawn from your veins. The heart pressures are obtained through a small yellow tube placed into a vein of your neck. In most cases, all tubes are removed in 24 to 48 hours.