Significant pericardial effusion

[SwansCity1912]

Just tipping in to 7 weeks post surgery and went for a routine echocardiogram; ahead of seeing my consultant the following week.

A little surprised when a doctor was called to assess me because they found significant (3cm) pericardial effusion.

I’ve been prescribed furosemide but seeing my consultant on Monday. Had I been ‘struggling’ at home the doctor said I would have been admitted to hospital there and then.

Anyone experienced ‘significant’ pericardial effusion that has not required a stay in hospital? Should I expect Pericardial window surgery?

I’m probably getting more breathless than I care to admit and recently more aware of some pain (shoulders, neck and what I’ve assumed is post surgery healing chest pain). Pain has only been bad enough to take paracetamol occasionally.

I went in to my appointment feeling my recovery has been excellent. I had a brief overnight in hospital around week 3 after my heart rhythm went wild but a change in medication sorted it. Was due to start cardiac rehab earlier than initially planned due to my great recovery but thats been delayed until early Jan as a result.

 

[pellicle]

Sorry to hear that, bumpy landing's are still on the table for as much as a year.

Don't try to predict the way yours will unfold, just take it as it comes. There are a few non invasive ways available to them first.

Best Wishes

 

[tjay]

Just tipping in to 7 weeks post surgery and went for a routine echocardiogram; ahead of seeing my consultant the following week.

A little surprised when a doctor was called to assess me because they found significant (3cm) pericardial effusion.

I’ve been prescribed furosemide but seeing my consultant on Monday. Had I been ‘struggling’ at home the doctor said I would have been admitted to hospital there and then.

Anyone experienced ‘significant’ pericardial effusion that has not required a stay in hospital? Should I expect Pericardial window surgery?

I’m probably getting more breathless than I care to admit and recently more aware of some pain (shoulders, neck and what I’ve assumed is post surgery healing chest pain). Pain has only been bad enough to take paracetamol occasionally.

I went in to my appointment feeling my recovery has been excellent. I had a brief overnight in hospital around week 3 after my heart rhythm went wild but a change in medication sorted it. Was due to start cardiac rehab earlier than initially planned due to my great recovery but thats been delayed until early Jan as a result.

I had significant effusion (1 liter blood-laced fluid) around my heart a couple of weeks after surgery. You may review my story here and then let me know if you've any specific question based on my experience:
https://www.valvereplacement.org/threads/12-week-update-work-in-process.889789/

This particular excerpt: >>

• Go home, then come right back: A couple of days after discharge, I went from walking miles to not even able to move. My condition deteriorated significantly over that weekend and I went to ER Monday AM in a very bad shape. They found a large effusion around my heart. I was sent to heart catheterization lab again and they drained 1 liter of fluid around my heart. I felt good instantly but was kept in the hospital for another 7 days for effusion monitoring.

This large effusion was perhaps caused by too many drugs in my system especially blood thinners/anti-platelet/anti-coagulant (Plavix for stent, and Coumadin & Heparin for valve; Lasix dose not keeping up etc).

 

[Lisa from LJ]

Mine started around 7 weeks out as well, just before I went back to work. In my case, I was struggling and it felt like an elephant standing on my chest. They gave me Lasix and steroids. Fortunately, the fluid did go away, reducing pretty fast once I was on the meds, although it took about 6 months to be completely gone, so a hospital stay or pericardial window weren't needed. Unfortunately, I was left with recurrent pericarditis, mostly without effusion. It rarely recurs now that I'm 26 1/2 years out, and when it does, I know what's happening and can treat it before it gets too bad.