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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Non Hodgkin S Lymphoma, Heart Valves Replaced With Titanium Valves, Damaged Mitral And Aortic Valves, Diagnosed COPD. What Now?

I am trying to find the right specialist for my sister for when she is released from a rehabilitative hospital in MI. She has had non-hodgkins lymphoma for about 12 years. She was diagnosed with COPD a few months ago and last week had two heart valves replaced with titanium valves because the doctor who gave her a port to remove fluid buildup failed in her sanitary procedures. The infection that resulted caused damage to both the mitral and aortic valves and possibly brought on the COPD. My sister never smoked.
Sat, 6 Jul 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

Your sister is suffering from three different disease processes.
The first is Non- Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemotherapy is the main modality of treatment.
i guess she might have had the cycles of chemotherapy.
Secondly, there is damage to the cardiac valves. The damaged valves need to be replace by synthetic valves. Your sister has had the replacement. There are certain precautions which one has to take after valve replacement since the patient becomes prone to various infections especially infective endocarditis and sub-acute bacterial endocarditis. These two conditions are characterized by infection of the artificial valves by bacteria entering from oral cavity, some focus of infection in the body, etc.
Thirdly, COPD. The management of COPD depend on the predominant disease process- bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, bronchectasis.
Cigarette smoking is am important risk factor for COPD but COPD can occur without any prior history of cigarette smoking.
Treatment depends on the predominant entity affecting the lungs.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Non Hodgkin S Lymphoma, Heart Valves Replaced With Titanium Valves, Damaged Mitral And Aortic Valves, Diagnosed COPD. What Now?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Your sister is suffering from three different disease processes. The first is Non- Hodgkin lymphoma. Chemotherapy is the main modality of treatment. i guess she might have had the cycles of chemotherapy. Secondly, there is damage to the cardiac valves. The damaged valves need to be replace by synthetic valves. Your sister has had the replacement. There are certain precautions which one has to take after valve replacement since the patient becomes prone to various infections especially infective endocarditis and sub-acute bacterial endocarditis. These two conditions are characterized by infection of the artificial valves by bacteria entering from oral cavity, some focus of infection in the body, etc. Thirdly, COPD. The management of COPD depend on the predominant disease process- bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, bronchectasis. Cigarette smoking is am important risk factor for COPD but COPD can occur without any prior history of cigarette smoking. Treatment depends on the predominant entity affecting the lungs. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal