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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Elevated Liver And Kidney Enzyme Levels While Suffering From Heart Failure?

Hi. I have a question about My elderly cousin (81). He has been suffering with congestive heart failure. His liver and kidney enzymes have also been elevated. His hospitalist said he may be in early stages of kidney failure. He is now in a rehab center for strengthening. The plan is to have a bilateral pacemaker installed and maybe a stent inserted if it is indicated after a catheterization . We have noticed both arms are weeping fluid. He has not had an IV in over 4 days. But, last week his IV did infiltrate. What might cause this. He has not been eating, he s lost over 20 pounds. His skin is very thin and tears easily. He has taken anticoagulants in the past but is not currently taking one.
Mon, 29 May 2017
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hello I have gone through your question and understand your concerns..
As you have already mentioned your elderly cousin is in congestive heart failure.
Heart pumps blood to all our organs. As the heart is in failure peripheral organs in his body like liver kidney skin are not getting enough amount of blood.
Blood in our body carry all the required nutrients,oxygen to the organs. So the organs are not getting properly nourished. It is like a state of ischemia for the organs which causes injury to the cells in the organs resulting in altered liver and kidney functions.
As heart is not pumping blood, there is a lot of blood pooling in the peripheral veins which can move out from veins into the intercellular spaces causing swelling in dependent parts of his body.
Skin is also not getting adequate nutrition because of failure of heart which causes the skin to break and the collected fluid to ooze from skin.
If a person is in heart failure his appetite can be reduced and there can be weight loss.
The symptoms will improve as he recover from his failure state and his heart ejection fraction improves.
Continous care from a cardiology team is required along with proper nursing care to avoid skin breaks and bed sores.
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What Causes Elevated Liver And Kidney Enzyme Levels While Suffering From Heart Failure?

Hello I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.. As you have already mentioned your elderly cousin is in congestive heart failure. Heart pumps blood to all our organs. As the heart is in failure peripheral organs in his body like liver kidney skin are not getting enough amount of blood. Blood in our body carry all the required nutrients,oxygen to the organs. So the organs are not getting properly nourished. It is like a state of ischemia for the organs which causes injury to the cells in the organs resulting in altered liver and kidney functions. As heart is not pumping blood, there is a lot of blood pooling in the peripheral veins which can move out from veins into the intercellular spaces causing swelling in dependent parts of his body. Skin is also not getting adequate nutrition because of failure of heart which causes the skin to break and the collected fluid to ooze from skin. If a person is in heart failure his appetite can be reduced and there can be weight loss. The symptoms will improve as he recover from his failure state and his heart ejection fraction improves. Continous care from a cardiology team is required along with proper nursing care to avoid skin breaks and bed sores.