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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Significant Leg And Abdomen Swelling, Fluid Build Up In Lungs And Around Heart Post Open Heart And By Bypass. Recovery?

Hello, 14 days ago my wife had open heart surgery to fit an ascending aorta graft. Procedure went well (approx 4 hours), while in recovery in ICU about an hour after the initial operation her heart arrested three times. She was rushed in to the operating theater to find the problem, then required immediate bypass surgery (another 4.5 hours). She was placed in a coma for 2 days, it was reported there damage to the right side of the heart however this was expected to repair itself, now 14 days on she has had significant leg and abdomen swelling (about 8 kg), fluid build up in the lungs and around the heart, and many other issues. The right side of the heart is not working correctly, Will this part of the heart recover and will she recover from the fluid retention issue?
Mon, 17 Jun 2013
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

The limited information provided is not sufficient enough to arrive at an appropriate conclusion...

Probably, she had sustained a Right ventricular infarction? / right heart failure – in which case the fluid overload may actually help to maintain the heart function and she is likely to come around well...
Fluid in the lungs is from left heart failure – infarction / muscle damage from blocked coronary arteries / and could improve after the bypass surgery...

The treating doctor alone can suggest based on his assessment of the situation.

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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Significant Leg And Abdomen Swelling, Fluid Build Up In Lungs And Around Heart Post Open Heart And By Bypass. Recovery?

Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic The limited information provided is not sufficient enough to arrive at an appropriate conclusion... Probably, she had sustained a Right ventricular infarction? / right heart failure – in which case the fluid overload may actually help to maintain the heart function and she is likely to come around well... Fluid in the lungs is from left heart failure – infarction / muscle damage from blocked coronary arteries / and could improve after the bypass surgery... The treating doctor alone can suggest based on his assessment of the situation. Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck