Tetralogy of fallot and left EF droped from 60% to 45%

[bknore]

My son had total repair of TOF at the age of 3,5 years, he is now 23 years old and has started having PVCs  his left EF has droped from 60% to 45% he has never had any problems with the  left side of his heart until about 3 months ago. He lost about 17 pounds and I took him to a dr. that said his heart was fast so I took him to a heart dr.  He does have pulmonary steiosis , pulmonary  valve was not replaced.    His doctor put him on coreg and just moved his dose up.
he is now taking 6.25mg 2 times a day his blood presure is 110/60  and the doctor said he did not want to move him up to fast because he was afraid it would lower his pressure.  I am really concerned because The doctor said that he had a bad left murmur and the first dose of coreg didn't seem to help.  I have read about differnt types of rythem problems but don't know if this is somthing to be concerned about or if it is somthing that the meds should help.  


This discussion is related to Left ventricular dysfunction.

[crippledcowgirl]

I am 25 and was born with TOF. I had a VSD, missing right pulmonary artery, thickened right lower side of the heart, and pulmonary stenosis.  I have had many surgeries to help correct my TOF...however, mine is rather complicated and was not an easy fix. I had the hole patched. I had my pulmonary valve replaced, and a stent put in.   Recently, due to all of the scar tissue from surgeries and from the right side of the heart being weakend from becoming so enlarged, I started experiencing PVC's.  They continued to worsen...but I didn't say anything. One day I went for a pee and fainted off the toilet (embarassing yes!). My hubby called the ambulance and my heart rate was 230bpm's. I was in V-tach. It took lots of medication, and then finally a defibulator to bring my heart back to a normal rhythm.  I was then sent to another hospital to have an Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implanted in my chest and hooked up to my heart. This ICD will shock my heart if it goes into a bad rhythm.  About 2 wks ago I was in the shower and fainted...I woke up in the bottom of the tub..with a busted tooth and a bump on the head. I realized my ICD must have shocked my heart.  I went to the hospital and found out that my heart went into a rhythm called V-Fib...which is also referred to as "sudden death"...as most people do not survive this rhythm. Thankfully I have my ICD to restart my heart.  I was put on amiodarone to help control my arrythmia's. I have been home from the hospital for about 2wks now and am feeling alot better. My PVC's have stopped, and I feel safer knowing that I have a life saving device implanted.

I know my condition is very different from your son's. However, I just wanted to share my story...as I don't know many people with TOF. I wish you and your son the best of luck in you health indevours. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me.  :)

[bknore]

Thanks for sharing your story, I'm sure that everything will turn out ok.
   I'm glade to know you are felling better.