Severe Left Ventricular Failure

[ewan]

My mother has been diagnosed in hospital with a primary diagnosis of "severe left ventricular failure without clinical evidence of heart failure", and also "self terminating episodes of ventricular tachycardia". She also has vascular dementia and has had a series of TIA's. ECG showed LBBB (old ) with LAD and first degree heart block. Whilst iin she had a couple of episodes of ventricular tachycardia.

Treatments have been changed etc. She has been out of hospital for about a wee, but since all this happened, she is breathless when we get her upstairs and just wants to actually sleep all day.

I guess i work on best case scenarios and worst case scenarios and how serious the condition is so am looking for any advice on a typical prognosis etc.

[ewan]

i have spoken to the dr, but it almost feels that there is a reluctance to say how serious it is.  i guess i am trying to find out from the terms listed a typical prognosis/outlook.  she i aged 74

[Flycaster305]

You don't mention what country you live in, but in the USA patients or their spokespeople are entitled to the procedure/condition report.  I strongly urge you to check with the hospital and get a complete report of drugs, procedures, prognosis, etc.  I have been in the hospital and a doctor tell me exactly what my problems are, etc.  In one year and out the other because of drugs, illness, etc.  If you can get copies, and it might cost you a few coins, request a meeting with the doctor and go over it with him/her carefully.  

[ed34]

The cardiologist would have given an indepth discussion to either the patient or next of kin.

[ewan]

dont know,,,simply what was on discharge form and show above

[ed34]

it depends on the condition of the arteries. How bad are they and which ones are involved?

[ewan]

how serious is it?

[ed34]

Sounds like cardiovascular disease. They should have put her on medications which will include beta blockers which cause a lot of fatigue for many patients until they get aclimatized to them. This can take a 3 months.