Hi,I am Dr. Prabhakar Koregol (Cardiologist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
PE In Pulmonary Artery, Hgb Keeps Dropping, Increased Dyspnea, Elevated BUN, Weight Gain. Treatment ?
I was hospitalized with a PE in my pulmonary artery a month ago and CT scans show I still have the PE. My Hgb keeps dropping and I had to have 2u of PRBC's while hospitalized. I am taking daily Vitamin B12 and FE. Most recently I started having increased dyspnea with a distended abdomen and I have gained 7 pounds over a 3 day period. Recent labs showed an elevated BUN as well as a drop in my Hgb. I was scanned while in the hospital for the origin of the clot but it was never found. My Hgb and Hct dropped to 7 at the time. No noted bleeding was ever found. I continue to have pain in my back and right shoulder and arm with the dyspnea and fatigue. I had DVT's in the past since I was in my early 20's, but was never on any long term Warfarin therapy. My concern now is the elevated BUN and the obvious weight gain and abdominal distention. I wonder if I may have some GI bleeding that is not apparent to the naked eye. I have not had a scan of my abdomen or a colonoscopy. I am not scheduled to return to my MD for 3 weeks.
The weight gain is from fluid retention. The fluid retention is from Right Heart Failure. That in turn is from obstruction to its outflow (into the Pulmonary Artery) because of the embolism / and Pulmonary Hypertension – hence back pressure and congestion...
A haematologist must investigate the anaemia / Usually it is iron deficiency and it is from bleeding – occult (in the Gastro Intestinal Tract) or overt. Is the stool black? There may be other reasons...
Cardiologist / vascular surgeon will search for the source of embolism / rarely it may thrombosis in situ...
You need long term anticoagulation – at least 6 months or more... Discuss with your cardiologist
Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck
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PE In Pulmonary Artery, Hgb Keeps Dropping, Increased Dyspnea, Elevated BUN, Weight Gain. Treatment ?
Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic The weight gain is from fluid retention. The fluid retention is from Right Heart Failure. That in turn is from obstruction to its outflow (into the Pulmonary Artery) because of the embolism / and Pulmonary Hypertension – hence back pressure and congestion... A haematologist must investigate the anaemia / Usually it is iron deficiency and it is from bleeding – occult (in the Gastro Intestinal Tract) or overt. Is the stool black? There may be other reasons... Cardiologist / vascular surgeon will search for the source of embolism / rarely it may thrombosis in situ... You need long term anticoagulation – at least 6 months or more... Discuss with your cardiologist Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck