Subject: Re: CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes
Forum: The Heart Forum

Topic Area: Heart Attack

Brief history:
Male age 69 excellent health till MI
MI 11/98 with double bypass next day (left mammary to the LAD and vein graft to the diagonal)
in CHF since surgery with edema around belly, none in legs
January EF 40% cholesterol 117
May EF 25-30% cholesterol 111
May Tomographic imaging shows majority of left anterior descending distribution is infarcted
May Central apnea dx with Cheyne-Stokes respirations
RX Lasix, potassium, digoxin, Avapro, Coumadin, Sinemet at bedtime for restless legs

Completed 3 mos cardiac rehab and now goes to gym 4 days a week

Has not regained much muscle mass or strength that was lost. Still gets breathless and tires quickly. Food tastes bad, but eats adequately. Will doze off anytime he is sitting and not actively involved in something.

What can we expect in the near and long range future? Doctors are not forthcoming with any expectations or symptoms we might need to watch for. Thank you for whatever answers you can give.

Charlene

Dear Charlene

It sounds like he had a large heart attack. The respiration pattern may be due to central apnea, as you have written, but can also be seen in congestive heart failure that is poorly controlled. I think he ought to be evaluated by a cardiologist with some expertise in heart failure and by a sleep center, to see if he really has central apnea. Until it is clear what is causing his symptoms, it is difficult to speculate on his prognosis.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

Follow Ups:

• CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes Cjharlene 6/09/1999 (4)
  • Re: CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 6/09/1999 (3)
    • CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes Charlene 6/09/1999 (2)
      • Re: CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 6/09/1999 (1)
        • CHF,decreasing EF, central apnea and Cheyne-Stokes Charlene 6/09/1999 (0)

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