HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

PE In Pulmonary Artery, Hgb Keeps Dropping, Increased Dyspnea, Elevated BUN, Weight Gain. Treatment ?

I was hospitalized with a PE in my pulmonary artery a month ago and CT scans show I still have the PE. My Hgb keeps dropping and I had to have 2u of PRBC's while hospitalized. I am taking daily Vitamin B12 and FE. Most recently I started having increased dyspnea with a distended abdomen and I have gained 7 pounds over a 3 day period. Recent labs showed an elevated BUN as well as a drop in my Hgb. I was scanned while in the hospital for the origin of the clot but it was never found. My Hgb and Hct dropped to 7 at the time. No noted bleeding was ever found. I continue to have pain in my back and right shoulder and arm with the dyspnea and fatigue. I had DVT's in the past since I was in my early 20's, but was never on any long term Warfarin therapy. My concern now is the elevated BUN and the obvious weight gain and abdominal distention. I wonder if I may have some GI bleeding that is not apparent to the naked eye. I have not had a scan of my abdomen or a colonoscopy. I am not scheduled to return to my MD for 3 weeks.
Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Report Abuse
Cardiologist 's  Response
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

The weight gain is from fluid retention.
The fluid retention is from Right Heart Failure.
That in turn is from obstruction to its outflow (into the Pulmonary Artery) because of the embolism / and Pulmonary Hypertension – hence back pressure and congestion...

A haematologist must investigate the anaemia / Usually it is iron deficiency and it is from bleeding – occult (in the Gastro Intestinal Tract) or overt. Is the stool black?
There may be other reasons...

Cardiologist / vascular surgeon will search for the source of embolism / rarely it may thrombosis in situ...

You need long term anticoagulation – at least 6 months or more...
Discuss with your cardiologist

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Dyspnea


Loading Online Doctors....
PE In Pulmonary Artery, Hgb Keeps Dropping, Increased Dyspnea, Elevated BUN, Weight Gain. Treatment ?

Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic The weight gain is from fluid retention. The fluid retention is from Right Heart Failure. That in turn is from obstruction to its outflow (into the Pulmonary Artery) because of the embolism / and Pulmonary Hypertension – hence back pressure and congestion... A haematologist must investigate the anaemia / Usually it is iron deficiency and it is from bleeding – occult (in the Gastro Intestinal Tract) or overt. Is the stool black? There may be other reasons... Cardiologist / vascular surgeon will search for the source of embolism / rarely it may thrombosis in situ... You need long term anticoagulation – at least 6 months or more... Discuss with your cardiologist Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck