Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Survival rate after Primacor removal
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.
Survival rate after Primacor removal
by skipabeat, Mar 20, 2001 12:00AM
I will see a new CHF specialist in May but have a nagging question that needs some kind of answer.
In May 2000 I had a Hickman catheter place and put on constant
infusion of Primacor. The doctor at that time said it would have to be permanent until I could qualify for a transplant. Even with the medication I still had up and down days.
In January 2001 I developed many bloods clots in my chest which
was believed to be caused by the Hickman. The catheter was removed on Jan 12 and Primacor was stopped.
My question is, are the survival rates for people stopping this
medication reduced? Despite the discontinuing the drug, I have
felt pretty good. I can't help but wonder if I will have more complications now.
Thanks for any answers or comments.
In May 2000 I had a Hickman catheter place and put on constant
infusion of Primacor. The doctor at that time said it would have to be permanent until I could qualify for a transplant. Even with the medication I still had up and down days.
In January 2001 I developed many bloods clots in my chest which
was believed to be caused by the Hickman. The catheter was removed on Jan 12 and Primacor was stopped.
My question is, are the survival rates for people stopping this
medication reduced? Despite the discontinuing the drug, I have
felt pretty good. I can't help but wonder if I will have more complications now.
Thanks for any answers or comments.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Mar 20, 2001 12:00AM
Primacor (milrinone) is a vasodilator/inotrope that is used in severe heart failure to improve symptoms. Potential side-effects include fatal arrhythmias and thus its use is strictly monitored. It is not uncommon for individuals awaiting heart transplant to require milrinone. It may be given either as a continous infusion or over a short period of time (sometimes refered to as a "milrinone tune-up". Milrinone does not improve survival but only improves symptoms in these individuals. You should continue to monitor your daily weights and symptoms and notify your doctor if there is a change in either of these.
