Post-Surgery

After a successful operation, you will be transferred to either the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) or the Cardiovascular Recover Unit (CVRU), depending on your clinical requirements and they type of care the surgeon feels you will need. Both these units are on the third floor of the Owen Heart Center and the time spent here is dependent on the how quickly you recover from surgery, from just a few hours to several days.

Your first awareness of your new surroundings will probably not be very clear. You will still be under the latent effects of the surgical anesthesia, along with pain drugs and other medications.  

CVICU are rooms E379 through E388 (Tel: 828-213-7390) and your family may be able to visit you in CICU, but because your care is being intensively monitored, their visits must be authorized by the nurse in charge. There are no "regular" visiting hours in CICU. 

CVRU are rooms E368 through E378 (Tel: 828-213-7320) and a small number of family members will be allowed to visit you a few hours after your procedure. 

The next step in the recovery process takes place in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit on the fourth floor.  

Next: Cardiovascular Progressive Care >>>