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Suggest Treatment For Low Ejection Fraction, Pneumonia With TIA
Question: My husband is 81, has dementia, suffered a TIA a month ago, developed pneumonia and was given an echocardiogram which showed an EF of 15%. No more pneumonia, is home helping with small tasks but does tire easily. I trust the cardiologist who is treating him but do you think his prognosis is very poor? He weighs 115 lbs.
Brief Answer:
Good care necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I would like to help you.
Ejection fraction is the amount of blood pumped from left ventricle with each contraction. Its normally 55-70%. 15% is indeed very low.
A recent history of TIA and association with dementia does not give a good prognosis. He is going to require constant attention. From now onwards, he would require constant care, protein rich diet, and supplements ( B complex vitamins).
Prognosis is poor. However try to reduce work load on his heart with measures instructed by his doctors, mild stretching and good nutrition. Medications to be continued as prescribed.
I am not sure if I have answered all your questions completely. So if you have any more concerns, do ask again.
Dr. Prakash HM.
Good care necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I would like to help you.
Ejection fraction is the amount of blood pumped from left ventricle with each contraction. Its normally 55-70%. 15% is indeed very low.
A recent history of TIA and association with dementia does not give a good prognosis. He is going to require constant attention. From now onwards, he would require constant care, protein rich diet, and supplements ( B complex vitamins).
Prognosis is poor. However try to reduce work load on his heart with measures instructed by his doctors, mild stretching and good nutrition. Medications to be continued as prescribed.
I am not sure if I have answered all your questions completely. So if you have any more concerns, do ask again.
Dr. Prakash HM.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Do you think my husband should continue taking Aricept?
Brief Answer:
I think he should continue
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aricept is a drug prescribed in dementia to preserve function and autonomy as long as possible and to maintain a quality of life for both the patient and caregiver.
You have already mentioned, that despite his multiple complications, he is still able to help you with small tasks and by that I would assume that he is able to manage a bit about himself.
Aricept has certain pulmonary and cardiac complications. Now due to the poor prognosis, I don't expect it could damage further. At-least I would think of him and you to have a good quality of life.
Stopping Aricept would start the symptoms of dementia (important it needs to be tapered again to stop it) and symptoms like behavior or personality changes, unable to perform any task, and psychiatric symptoms will start making it difficult for both him and you.
At the end of the day, quality of life is important for everybody.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, do ask again. If you have no further clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Prakash HM
I think he should continue
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aricept is a drug prescribed in dementia to preserve function and autonomy as long as possible and to maintain a quality of life for both the patient and caregiver.
You have already mentioned, that despite his multiple complications, he is still able to help you with small tasks and by that I would assume that he is able to manage a bit about himself.
Aricept has certain pulmonary and cardiac complications. Now due to the poor prognosis, I don't expect it could damage further. At-least I would think of him and you to have a good quality of life.
Stopping Aricept would start the symptoms of dementia (important it needs to be tapered again to stop it) and symptoms like behavior or personality changes, unable to perform any task, and psychiatric symptoms will start making it difficult for both him and you.
At the end of the day, quality of life is important for everybody.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, do ask again. If you have no further clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Prakash HM
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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