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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Medication management and pacemaker death
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Medication management and pacemaker death
by outwardspace, May 21, 2005 12:00AM
My 79-year-old mother was having constant episodes of passing out-- every few days. For each episode the paramedics were called. The episodes were occurring after she took Cardezem LA/180, so she eventually started taking only a half of a pill. When she went to her physician, she complained of the episodes, and feeling constantly cold and tired. Her blood pressure was 210/60 on the day of her last office visit. Her doctor gave her a few ‘sample boxes’ of Tarka 2/240 and Coreg 3.125 to take taking immediately. (She was also taking Coumadin.) Three days after that office visit, she was found unconscious with a “black hue” to her face. At the ER, she was diagnosed with SSS (which had never been diagnosed), diabetes and hypertension. Two days later, she regained consciousness and they took her into surgery to insert a pacemaker. Her heart came to “an abrupt halt” and she died during the last few minutes of the insertion process. The events of her last days and her dead haunt me. I grieve EVERY day. She was amazingly viable and active woman until the 'episodes' of passing out started. I realize that this is tough question but… What went wrong and could she have been saved?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, May 21, 2005 12:00AM
I am very sorry to for your loss. Without being there, reading the records or listening to the thought processes involved, it is difficult to speculate about what went wrong if anything. Unfortunately, I am not sure how else to answer this question.
Again, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in the thoughts and prayers of those that frequent this forum.
Again, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in the thoughts and prayers of those that frequent this forum.
Wishing you brighter days ahead.
Connie
I am sorry for your loss.
Erik