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Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: My 56 y/o motherForum: The Heart Forum
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Posted by Paula on June 16, 1999 at 15:11:28 My mother had Rheumatoid Arthritis for several years. She had been diagnosed w/ Rheumatoid Vasculitis two months prior to her death. She was hospitalized on a Monday to begin Cytoxan for the vasculitis. On Friday she was admitted into CCU w/ an irregular heartbeat and we were told it was a precautionary step. On Friday, I questioned one of the nurses as to whether or not my mother was receiving her Inderal (Propanalol). The nurse stated that although the meds were to be administered, Mama had not received it since she had been admitted into the hospital on Monday, therefore, Mama hadn't received her daily dose of Inderal since that Monday. I arrived at the hospital early on Sat. morning and questioned the on-call MD about the Inderal and he said he would inform the nurses to begin giving her the Inderal. Just a note - she had been on Inderal daily for 20+ years for an irregular heartbeat. Mama started having severe complications and was put on a repirator that Sat. afternoon and she passed away on Tues. morning. I received a copy of the death cert. today and the cause of death was Cardia Arrest due to Myocardial Ischaemia. After some research about Beta Blockers, I understand that a beta blocker should not be stopped abruptly. Mama was also having hallucinations and some very "crazy" dreams. I have also read that abrubtly stopping Inderal can cause hallucinations and vivid dreams. My question is this -- Could the abrupt stop of the Inderal have caused Mama's heart problems which ultimately led to her Cardiac Arrest?
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 16, 1999 at 16:31:23 I suspect that was not the sole reason for her death but I couldn't really comment without a complete review of her medical records. Was an autopsy performed? I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. 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.
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