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What Causes Reduced BNP Levels When Diagnosed With Congestive Heart Failure?
Question: Hi, my father was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He is 81 and a double amputee at his thigh. He is not diabetic. He was admitted because he had fluid in his lungs. His BNP was 3900 and now is down to 800. They started him on meds which were working, but then his kidney function tanked. He is also confused. What would be his prognosis? Are we at end of life, or is this a hiccup?
Brief Answer:
Proper appraisal of each cause will help him get back to normality
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Sorry for your trouble.
Though a complete list of all the aliments your dad suffered, treatments given, fine details about his other illnesses is not mentioned here, i can partly judge the prognosis with the given information.
Failing kidneys in a patient with heart failure is generally due to hypoxic injury. Reduced blood supply to the kidneys due to low ejection fraction will lead to damage to the nephrons, leading to progressive kidney failure unless attended very carefully. Many other insults like infections and drugs could also accomplice. Certain drugs that can improve heart function can also improve kidney function. Falling BNP is a good sign that his heart is recovering, so his kidney function might recover.(Hopefully)
As far as confusion is concerned, generally it implies a metabolic component like reduced sodium levels or acidosis due to heart failure. Brain scans will identify any structural lesions in the brain.
Proper appraisal of each cause will help him get back to normality, which will be done by his doctors. At any point, it is not correct to worry that it is end of life. Human body has a tremendous ability to fight back. So please don't loose hope.
Feel free to post if you have any further queries.
ALl the best.
Proper appraisal of each cause will help him get back to normality
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Sorry for your trouble.
Though a complete list of all the aliments your dad suffered, treatments given, fine details about his other illnesses is not mentioned here, i can partly judge the prognosis with the given information.
Failing kidneys in a patient with heart failure is generally due to hypoxic injury. Reduced blood supply to the kidneys due to low ejection fraction will lead to damage to the nephrons, leading to progressive kidney failure unless attended very carefully. Many other insults like infections and drugs could also accomplice. Certain drugs that can improve heart function can also improve kidney function. Falling BNP is a good sign that his heart is recovering, so his kidney function might recover.(Hopefully)
As far as confusion is concerned, generally it implies a metabolic component like reduced sodium levels or acidosis due to heart failure. Brain scans will identify any structural lesions in the brain.
Proper appraisal of each cause will help him get back to normality, which will be done by his doctors. At any point, it is not correct to worry that it is end of life. Human body has a tremendous ability to fight back. So please don't loose hope.
Feel free to post if you have any further queries.
ALl the best.
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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