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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Post Thorasic AA
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 Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Post Thorasic AA
by bandmom, Oct 11, 2002 12:00AM
I previously had a disected aortic aneurysm and had a partial arch and aortic valve replacement. I more recently had a PDA closure. Since my open heart surgery I have experienced shortness of breath. I have a significantly reduced diffusion capacity by pulmonary function test and newly diagnosed asthma. I now have right artial enlargement. What could be going on?
THanks
THanks
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Oct 11, 2002 12:00AM
bandmom,
Sorry to hear of your ordeals.
Your question is intriguing. The low diffusion capacity and newly diagnosed asthma are suggestive of a problem with the left ventricle. Another cause of a low diffusion capacity is fibrosis of the lung tissue.
This constellation of problems needs careful evaluation. You haven't given your age, but I am suspicious of the diagnosis of asthma.
"Acham's razor" is a rule of thumb in medicine. The rule is that given two explanations for a group of findings or symptoms, the explanation that is the simplest is usually correct. I would try to find a unifying diagnosis for why you have a low diffusion capacity, right atrial enlargement, and new-onset asthma.
Hope that helps.
Sorry to hear of your ordeals.
Your question is intriguing. The low diffusion capacity and newly diagnosed asthma are suggestive of a problem with the left ventricle. Another cause of a low diffusion capacity is fibrosis of the lung tissue.
This constellation of problems needs careful evaluation. You haven't given your age, but I am suspicious of the diagnosis of asthma.
"Acham's razor" is a rule of thumb in medicine. The rule is that given two explanations for a group of findings or symptoms, the explanation that is the simplest is usually correct. I would try to find a unifying diagnosis for why you have a low diffusion capacity, right atrial enlargement, and new-onset asthma.
Hope that helps.
