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I Have A Mild Caseof Pericardialmeffusion...been Taking Asprin, Cochiline And

Posted on Sat, 29 Sep 2018

Question: I have a mild caseof pericardialmeffusion...been taking asprin, cochiline and predisone, some days are ok andothers a little harder to breath. Have had two ultrasounds a month apart not much change,heart pumping ok ef 35% same as 5 yearsago. Any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on Ask a Doctor service!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that these episodes of shortness of breath could be related to a lung disorder.

For this reason, I would recommend performing a chest X-ray study and pulmonary function tests to investigate for possible lung disorders.

An exercise cardiac stress test would also help investigate for possible coronary artery disease, which may mimic this clinical situation.

I would also recommend performing NT pro BNP levels for heart failure, besides the cardiac ultrasound.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr.Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Thank you and wish to let you know I had a CT Scan of my chest, all okay there. One blood test showed positive on the Lupus test and one negative, but I did not test again as yet. Why isn't the fluid around the sack going away? The Doctor is increasing the Cochiline to twice a day this week along with the Predisone. Maybe that will help, Forgot to mention I have a Pacemaker since 2003, and 3 stents since 2010. I take Coreg 25mg twice a day,Furosemide 40mg, and Isosorbide Mononitrate 30 mg. Blood Pressure is usually 124 over 63. Also Flomax. I get UTIs about3 to 4 times a year and take Antibiotics (Bactrim) I workout with light weights 2 to 3 times a week, been studying and using Supplements for 15 years (always inform my Cardiologist of what I am taking) feel good most of the time but this shortness of breath is not helping. Its not Angina as I can tell the difference and the Nitro pills don't help the shortness. Do you think this a common problem with heart patients??? My next ultrasound is 10/20 this will be 2 months since last time. Would appreciate any suggestions also any comments on alternative healing treatments?? Thank You XXXXXXX Feicco

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX ,

Thank you for the additional information!

Coming to this point I would recommend checking pulmonary function tests to exclude a functional lung disorder ( although the chest CT scan resulted normal) and performing NT pro BNP levels for heart failure ( heart failure is a clinical syndrome which is not only evaluated on the EF values).

Do you have leg swelling? Increasing the dose of Furosemide may be needed.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (11 hours later)

Explain NT and BNP levels,,,yes will inquire about more pulmonary tests....no leg swelling, DRs concerned about increasing Furosemide because of Kidney potential problems, test numbers okay but not the best. Again thankyou, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

NT-pro BNP levels are related to heart failure. They are usually increased in heart failure.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above test reports.

Hope to have been helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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