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What Causes Ankle Swelling And Persistent Cough After Placing Stent In Heart?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Dec 2015
Question: My mother is 87 & just had 2 stents put in two weeks ago, she has some swelling in both ankles & persistent cough that seems to be getting worse, mostly in afternoon & while she is reclining in her chair. The cardiologist had her on eloquis before her surgery & has a added plavix since having the stents put in. She was on Lasik for 3 days after the stents. Is there anything she can take or do for the coughing?
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
sounds like heart failure...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

you haven't mention the reason that the stents where put in your mother's arteries. I suppose she must have suffered a heart attack, right? In such cases part of the heart might become immobile (and thus useless) and the patient may experience symptoms of heart failure like swollen ankles and shortness of breath and cough when lying down (or reclining a chair!). If she doesn't have any contraindication for lasix, like a low potassium level or low blood pressure (or others) then perhaps she should try re-initiating it until the swollen ankles get better.

Other causes of coughing should be considered as well if the aforementioned explanation does not apply to her, like infections for example. She'd better be examined by another doctor if her cardiologist is not available. The doctor should exclude other causes and prescribe appropriate treatment.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Ankle Swelling And Persistent Cough After Placing Stent In Heart?

Brief Answer: sounds like heart failure... Detailed Answer: Hello, you haven't mention the reason that the stents where put in your mother's arteries. I suppose she must have suffered a heart attack, right? In such cases part of the heart might become immobile (and thus useless) and the patient may experience symptoms of heart failure like swollen ankles and shortness of breath and cough when lying down (or reclining a chair!). If she doesn't have any contraindication for lasix, like a low potassium level or low blood pressure (or others) then perhaps she should try re-initiating it until the swollen ankles get better. Other causes of coughing should be considered as well if the aforementioned explanation does not apply to her, like infections for example. She'd better be examined by another doctor if her cardiologist is not available. The doctor should exclude other causes and prescribe appropriate treatment. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!