Can lung fluid accumulate nine years after bypass surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother had open heart surgery, aortic valve, and bypass nine years ago; she has had an ejection fraction of 65 % since she was fine. Her medications are Concor 7.5 mg daily, Sintrom 4 according to the test, and Lanoxin, one tablet for five days a week. A year ago, she developed bradycardia, tachycardia, and an accumulation of fluid in the lungs; it was removed, and then they changed the medication to Cordarone and Lasix, but it did not resolve.

She had fluid accumulation again. They changed it to Concor 5 mg daily, half in the morning and a half at night; Lasix, one tablet in the morning and a half tablet at night; Heperona, one tablet during the day; and Sintrom 4, according to the test. But she still has fatigue when she walks and fluid in her lungs; she never had this before. Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Fluid in the lungs has two meanings: either pleural effusion or pulmonary edema. Please send me her echocardiography report (the recent one) and chest X-ray. If echocardiography is not done during the last year, then repeat it. Pulmonary edema occurs due to a weak heart when the ejection fraction is very low. Please also send reports of her renal function, liver function test, and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Amiodarone causes derangement in these cases. Follow-up after tests and echocardiography. Thank you.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.