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What Causes Breathing Difficulty While Suffering From Atrial Fibrillation?

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Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: A friend of mine was admitted to the hospital \3 months ago for shortness of breath and continuing atrial fibbrillation, While in the hospital her breathing became more serious and was placed on a venilator . She had a cariac catherization which revealed 4 block arteies and a leaking aorta . Since the surger 2 months ago she has been in a somwhat of a coma, on the ventlator and trach. and a feedig tube. All her test show no sign of stroke, why after all these months is she not showing much sign of improvement other than now she is somewhat aware of her surroundings now on dialasys still on a feeding tube and ventilator and trach even though her breathing is better. Is there any chance that she can pull thru this with much damage to her quality of life/
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that in her clinical situation it is important to evaluate her cardiac and brain function.

Based on the fact that your friend has suffered from atrial fibrillation and diffuse coronary artery disease, it is quite likely that all her recent clinical scenario may have been related to acute heart failure. The later may be due to ischemic cardiac injury (from multiple coronary artery stenosis) and possible tachycardiomyopathy (from atrial fibrillation).

The acute cardiac dysfunction may have led to low cardiac output and widespread body tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxemia, followed by :

-acute pulmonary dysfunction (expressed with the recent shortness of breathing)
- diffuse hypoxic encephalopathy leading to damage of the cognitive function, which are responsible for the interaction with the others, talking, thinking, orientation and the ability of concentration. This type of brain ischemia can cause vegetative state and coma. That is why, it is important performing a functional MRI and EEG to examine her brain functions (including cognitive functions).
- acute kid injury, which depending on its severity may need special renal supportive therapy up to dialysis. Her actual renal function tests (BUN and creatinine)are necessary to be evaluated.


From the other hand, it is important evaluating her cardiac function in order to estimate the precise overall cardiac performance (left ventricular ejection fraction and other important indices). This is the main factor which predicts her expectancy for a stable hemodinamic condition and subsequent cerebral, respiratory and renal improvements. A cardiac ultrasound is necessary for this purpose.

I would like to review her brain MRI results, renal function tests and cardiac ultrasound reports if you can upload them for a second medical opinion.

If her cardiac function is not severely depressed, you can hope in a fast recovery of her vital organ functions.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Thank you for your response, unfortunally I am unable to get possession of her recent MRI results and renal function test and ultrasound reports, I know that if her outcome from all of this would not come out favorably she would not want to continue to be in the state that she is in and live her days with all of the machines keeping her alive. Early on they had tried 3/4 times to remove her ventilator, but she panic and they needed to put it back in, If her breathing is better could they try and remove it again to see if she can breath on her own? This is my only other question. Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I understand your concern and would explain that anxiety and psychosis is a normal reaction in ICU patients.

It is well known that many of them can react with anxiety and even vomiting during extubation (trying to remove the ventilation tube).

For this reason repeated trials are made, in order to find the more appropriate moment based on the patients condition.

The most important thing, before making these trials is the evaluation of her brain, cardiac and renal function, in order to make the right decision if it is possible to be independent from the respiratory machine.

You should talk with her ICU specialist for this purpose.

Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!

Best wishes,

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

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

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9544 Questions

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What Causes Breathing Difficulty While Suffering From Atrial Fibrillation?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I carefully passed through your question and would explain that in her clinical situation it is important to evaluate her cardiac and brain function. Based on the fact that your friend has suffered from atrial fibrillation and diffuse coronary artery disease, it is quite likely that all her recent clinical scenario may have been related to acute heart failure. The later may be due to ischemic cardiac injury (from multiple coronary artery stenosis) and possible tachycardiomyopathy (from atrial fibrillation). The acute cardiac dysfunction may have led to low cardiac output and widespread body tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxemia, followed by : -acute pulmonary dysfunction (expressed with the recent shortness of breathing) - diffuse hypoxic encephalopathy leading to damage of the cognitive function, which are responsible for the interaction with the others, talking, thinking, orientation and the ability of concentration. This type of brain ischemia can cause vegetative state and coma. That is why, it is important performing a functional MRI and EEG to examine her brain functions (including cognitive functions). - acute kid injury, which depending on its severity may need special renal supportive therapy up to dialysis. Her actual renal function tests (BUN and creatinine)are necessary to be evaluated. From the other hand, it is important evaluating her cardiac function in order to estimate the precise overall cardiac performance (left ventricular ejection fraction and other important indices). This is the main factor which predicts her expectancy for a stable hemodinamic condition and subsequent cerebral, respiratory and renal improvements. A cardiac ultrasound is necessary for this purpose. I would like to review her brain MRI results, renal function tests and cardiac ultrasound reports if you can upload them for a second medical opinion. If her cardiac function is not severely depressed, you can hope in a fast recovery of her vital organ functions. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri