ED admit: 85yo/m. I have a question about the relation of newly onset bilat mild-moderate plural effusion in a pt. with COPD/Emphysema secondary to chronic low dose chemical exposure. The plural effusion induced Afib with RVR that preceded acute CHF. Also noted is small pericardial effusion and mild cardiomegally. Additional Dx r/t toxins: colon CA tx w/resection, prostate CA tx w/radioactive seeds. I'm wondering the likelihood that the acute CHF is r/t COPD/emphysema and a direction what to look up to find the course of this physiologic process.
I had gone through your question and i will try to give you some medical information. COPD/Emphysema is a chronic lung disease.It has four stages or grades.In COPD stage 3-4 patient usually as a consequence of the COPD it happens a cardiac disease called Cardiac Failure or CHF. One of its signs is bilateral pleural fluid in the lungs.Mostly it is the right part of the heart that suffers from COPD but if the damage continues it begin the left side of the heart to suffer too and this condition get to the enlargement of the entire heart (Cardiomegaly).Atrial fibrillation worsens the situation and it is very important the patient should be under treatment with antiarytmics and anticoagulant drugs. Given the fact that you have other comorbidities also,you should be under the prudent supervision of some specialists together (pulmonologist,cardiologist and oncologist) and to be very careful with your treatment.
I wish you a good recovery
Dr.Jolanda Pulmonologist
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Could The Acute CHF Be Due To COPD Or Emphysema?
Hello I had gone through your question and i will try to give you some medical information. COPD/Emphysema is a chronic lung disease.It has four stages or grades.In COPD stage 3-4 patient usually as a consequence of the COPD it happens a cardiac disease called Cardiac Failure or CHF. One of its signs is bilateral pleural fluid in the lungs.Mostly it is the right part of the heart that suffers from COPD but if the damage continues it begin the left side of the heart to suffer too and this condition get to the enlargement of the entire heart (Cardiomegaly).Atrial fibrillation worsens the situation and it is very important the patient should be under treatment with antiarytmics and anticoagulant drugs. Given the fact that you have other comorbidities also,you should be under the prudent supervision of some specialists together (pulmonologist,cardiologist and oncologist) and to be very careful with your treatment. I wish you a good recovery Dr.Jolanda Pulmonologist