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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Open Heart Surgery, Brain Damage. Before Death, Foamed At Mouth And Gurgled. Why?

My husband, age 55 who had an open heart surgery this past April in the Cleveland Clinic, went to our local hospital for a CAT scan and had asperated when they laid him dowm. He was without oxygen to the brain for about 15 minutes & had brain damage . I kept him on resperators for 5 days while they ran 3 different tests to confirm no brain activity. When we took him off, 4 hous later he took a deep breath, let it out, gurrgled a little then foamed at the mouth. Why
Thu, 27 Dec 2012
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hi,
I am sorry to read about your husband. My heartfelt condolences.
When the heart stops it can pump no more blood where as blood from peripheries to the right side of heart and from lungs to the left side of heart continues for a while. As there is no space for blood on the left side there is back flow to lungs. Fluid then exudes into within the lung mixes with air and becomes foamy. This comes out with breath as foam.
Regards.

Dr Anil Grover
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Open Heart Surgery, Brain Damage. Before Death, Foamed At Mouth And Gurgled. Why?

Hi, I am sorry to read about your husband. My heartfelt condolences. When the heart stops it can pump no more blood where as blood from peripheries to the right side of heart and from lungs to the left side of heart continues for a while. As there is no space for blood on the left side there is back flow to lungs. Fluid then exudes into within the lung mixes with air and becomes foamy. This comes out with breath as foam. Regards. Dr Anil Grover