Post-heart surgery continued heavy breathing

[susiev]

My Mom had a bypass 18 years ago but it failed over 10 years ago.  This summer (2009), she needed an aortic valve transplant and a single bypass.  Pre-surgery, she was having extreme difficulty breathing after any amount of exertion (even walking a few steps) because fluid was backing up as the result of the bad valve (she had congestive heart failure).  It was scary.  Prior to the surgery, her system failed and she was rushed to the hospital and placed in the ICU in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks.  After she awoke from the heavy sedation and stabilized, they performed the open heart surgery.  Everyone said she would feel "night and day" better after the surgery.  Her surgeon reported she had no damage to her heart and that it is still incredibly strong.  Problem: it is 3 weeks post surgery and she is continues to experience extremely heavy, labored breathing after taking a few steps.  They did not see fluid in her lungs post surgery.  She did not have this breathing problem after her bypass surgery 18 years ago.  Is this normal perhaps for an aortic valve transplant?  If not, any suggestions on where to turn?  

[kenkeith]

Yes, a defectvie aorta valve can cause SoB.  To rule that out would require an echocardiogram with a doppler (color coded blood flow).  It the valve restricts good flow of blood into circulation that will cause shortness of breath...it would not be a normal response.

I have researched heart valve issues as I have MVR.  My contact with the Mayo clinical and information from a renown surgeon has stated not to wait too long.  Waiting too long can enlarged the heart, and to operate on an enlarged heart can often not restore left ventricle functionality.  

Your mother had CHF (I had CHF 6 years ago), and that would indicate your mother's heart may not have been pumping with good contractility...blood backs up into the lungs causing edema (congestion).  I am sure your mother's heart does not immedfiately respond with strong contractions after a operation...it may take a few months for the heart to recover and pump adequately.  An echo would show if the left ventricle is normal or how enlarged it may be.  Also, the test would determine the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat...weak contrations, low cardiac output and symptoms your mother seems to have.

Your mother's doctor states the heart is strong!  What is the basis of that opinion? Also, no fluids in the lung...this indicates your mother has had more tests than mentioned in your post?.  You should notify the doctor of the problems, and have your mother schedule a followup evaluation post surgery.

Hope this helps give you some insight into the possibilities of a medical problem.  And thanks for sharing.  Take care.

[ed34]

I think they need to establish if it's the heart or the lungs first. Have they given your Mother a Lung function test?