pneumo thorax

[shell007]

I do have asthma, and i have smoked in the past. So yes my lungs have had a lick or two, and no i have had no rehab for my heart since after the chemcal test and the heart cath they sad i was fine so why should i go to a heart rehab? No reason to.

What I dont understand as many times as i went to the ER room over breathing problems and pain in my chest and as many times as they took x-rays of my lungs seems to me they would have seen pneumothorax or anything else bad concerning my lungs and the complications i was having. They all wanted to say i had heart attack and again after all test they said my heart was fine!

This comment is from personal (family) experience! My father had pneumonia many many years ago. One day while working, he bent over to grap his cup of coffee and suddenly felt as though he was having a heart attack. All the symptoms pointed to this, even in the ER, and he was treated as though this was the case. Anyway...found out later that he had a "bleb" on his lung, which had gone completely un-noticed on x-rays over the previous years (even through routine annual check-ups). In any event...he actually suffered from a "spontaneuous pneumothorax" due to this "weakened area of his lung" due to a previous pneumonia years and years before.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

I do have asthma, and i have smoked in the past. So yes my lungs have had a lick or two, and no i have had no rehab for my heart since after the chemcal test and the heart cath they sad i was fine so why should i go to a heart rehab? No reason to.

What I dont understand as many times as i went to the ER room over breathing problems and pain in my chest and as many times as they took x-rays of my lungs seems to me they would have seen pneumothorax or anything else bad concerning my lungs and the complications i was having. They all wanted to say i had heart attack and again after all test they said my heart was fine!

Get yourself tested for Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency because you have a history of Asthma http://www.alphaone.org/alpha1/what_is_alpha1.html this is free and confidential testing. This could be behind the difficult time diagnosing your condition and it not somehting usually tested for, even varients with one good gene can have serious medical issues. Don't rely on a serum test alone, get the pheno test because ATT is an acute reactant so you may have normal labs during exacerbaitons.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency Apha1-antitrypsin deficiency can cause a wide spectrum of diseases
http://www.rcjournal.com/contents/03.00/03.00.0327.asp

 

[ellencee]

I had to make a couple of quick calls to make sure I wasn't losing what's left of my mind...
"We" do follow every catheterization procedure (except urinary, of course) with a chest x-ray to ascertain the status of the heart and lungs. This includes heart caths, PICC line insertions, etc. The x-rays are evaluated for signs of hemorrhage, mediastinal shift (a direct result of a pneumothorax), lung expansion (rule out pneumothorax), etc. and with catheter placement, the location of the tip of the catheter is identified and documented. Within the last two weeks, "we" had one patient who was found to have a pneumothorax after a cardiac cath and it was/is believed to be a direct result/complication of the catheterization procedure, not attributable to direct puncture of the lung by the catheter...though I have known that to happen once and it was a direct result of negligence, not attributable to a risk.

I can not explain why some patients develop respiratory problems after such procedures. I will ask one of the pulmonologist to give me a "simple" process that I can share with non-medical-speaking persons. I know that the introduction of a catheter allows a minute amount of air to also be introduced and that the passage of a catheter through the arteries can dislodge plaque and that either can pass through the heart and lungs with no problem or pass through the heart and lungs causing damage.

As for the original poster's continuing concern that someone should have known she had a pneumothorax because of going to the ER repeatedly with breathing problems (which should have been included in the initial post)...Some pulmonary complications can impact the heart in such a way as to show up on an EKG. It would be beyond negligent to fail to rule out cardiac injury when an EKG shows signs of cardiac injury; and, just because the heart cath was "negative" does not mean you did not suffer an area of cardiac damage, or heart attack, or acute coronary syndrome.

If you were having breathing problems, did you ever receive a chest x-ray during your numerous ER visits? If so, the pneumothorax should have shown on the x-ray if the pneumothorax was present. Most likely, you had a subacute infection in your lung which progressed to a more serious state and the pneumothorax is a result of that infectious process; again, not due to negligence.

Everyone looking to sue a physician has lost the ability to do some magnificent thing like running in marathons or such and usually, it's just a bunch of hype in an attempt to gain more pocket-dollars from the physician. Poster, you couldn't run two miles a day and do all of the other wonder-person stuff you described if you couldn't breathe and you said you were suffering from frequent breathing problems for which you went to the ER. Your physical and athletic abilities only matter from the point you sought medical treatment; and, you couldn't breathe normally at that point.

Consult with a medical malpractice attorney in your area; that opinion is the only opinion that matters.

EC

 

[ellencee]

I had to make a couple of quick calls to make sure I wasn't losing what's left of my mind...
"We" do follow every catheterization procedure (except urinary, of course) with a chest x-ray to ascertain the status of the heart and lungs. This includes heart caths, PICC line insertions, etc. The x-rays are evaluated for signs of hemorrhage, mediastinal shift (a direct result of a pneumothorax), lung expansion (rule out pneumothorax), etc. and with catheter placement, the location of the tip of the catheter is identified and documented. Within the last two weeks, "we" had one patient who was found to have a pneumothorax after a cardiac cath and it was/is believed to be a direct result/complication of the catheterization procedure, not attributable to direct puncture of the lung by the catheter...though I have known that to happen once and it was a direct result of negligence, not attributable to a risk.

I can not explain why some patients develop respiratory problems after such procedures. I will ask one of the pulmonologist to give me a "simple" process that I can share with non-medical-speaking persons. I know that the introduction of a catheter allows a minute amount of air to also be introduced and that the passage of a catheter through the arteries can dislodge plaque and that either can pass through the heart and lungs with no problem or pass through the heart and lungs causing damage.

As for the original poster's continuing concern that someone should have known she had a pneumothorax because of going to the ER repeatedly with breathing problems (which should have been included in the initial post)...Some pulmonary complications can impact the heart in such a way as to show up on an EKG. It would be beyond negligent to fail to rule out cardiac injury when an EKG shows signs of cardiac injury; and, just because the heart cath was "negative" does not mean you did not suffer an area of cardiac damage, or heart attack, or acute coronary syndrome.

If you were having breathing problems, did you ever receive a chest x-ray during your numerous ER visits? If so, the pneumothorax should have shown on the x-ray if the pneumothorax was present. Most likely, you had a subacute infection in your lung which progressed to a more serious state and the pneumothorax is a result of that infectious process; again, not due to negligence.

Everyone looking to sue a physician has lost the ability to do some magnificent thing like running in marathons or such and usually, it's just a bunch of hype in an attempt to gain more pocket-dollars from the physician. Poster, you couldn't run two miles a day and do all of the other wonder-person stuff you described if you couldn't breathe and you said you were suffering from frequent breathing problems for which you went to the ER. Your physical and athletic abilities only matter from the point you sought medical treatment; and, you couldn't breathe normally at that point.

Consult with a medical malpractice attorney in your area; that opinion is the only opinion that matters.

EC

I'm recovering from a nasty little viral illness that has me a little weak around the edges, kind of messing with my thinking skills...but, eureka! It finally dawned on me to look up (on the web) pneumothorax after cardiac cath--and guess what! I'm right, I'm right, I'm right!

http://www.mtio.com/lupus/procath.htm Disadvantages
The major disadvantage of cardiac catheterization is that it is an invasive procedure and it can be dangerous. A cardiac catheterization usually means a hospital stay--in the best case a 23-hour admit. Some of the possible complications include:

Cardiac arrhythmias
Perforation of the muscle of the heart
Catheter-induced embolic stroke or myocardial infarction
Problems associated with the insertion site--arterial thrombosis, embolism, pseudoaneurysm
Allergic reaction to the iodinated dye (ranging from rash and itching to anaphylactic shock)
Infection at the cather insertion site
Pneumothorax (air leaking into the area outside the lungs) following catheterization of the right-side of the heart

http://www.webmd.com/hw/heart_disease/hw204075.aspRisks

Cardiac catheterization provides important information about your heart. However, it involves greater risks than other diagnostic tests used to study the heart. Complications of cardiac catheterization are rare, but they can be life-threatening. As with any test, the possible benefits of the test have to be weighed against the risks. You should discuss the risks in your case thoroughly with your doctor before having this test.

Serious complications are rare and are more likely to occur in people who are critically ill or elderly. Serious complications may include:

Heart attack or stroke. Rarely, the catheter tip can dislodge a blood clot or some debris from the inside wall of the artery. The clot or debris can travel through the bloodstream until it lodges in a smaller artery, blocking the blood flow. If this occurs in an artery supplying the heart, it can cause a heart attack. If it occurs in an artery feeding the brain, it can cause a stroke. A blood clot can also occur at the area where the catheter was inserted, causing a blockage of blood flow to the arm or leg and requiring surgery to restore the blood circulation.
Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Rarely, this procedure may produce a persistent abnormal heart rhythm. The abnormal rhythm usually corrects itself or becomes normal after treatment with medication.
Kidney damage. Rarely, the contrast material can damage the kidneys, possibly causing kidney failure. People with diabetes and kidney disease are at greatest risk for kidney damage.
Endocarditis.
Cardiac tamponade.
Pneumothorax.

Anyone have any doubt as to which heart surgeon I don't want near me or my loved ones?

EC

 

[shell007]

ANY complication can arise from ANY invasive procedure. That's a "rule of thumb".

A pneumothorax however...IS NOT A "COMMON" COMPLICATION...as a result of having a heart cath.

 

[shell007]

Additionally: I worked in a cath lab for years.

Although a "chest x-ray" can/would/could be done...this is an act of precaution. Better safe than sorry!!!

A pneomothorax from this specific procedure is the "exception NOT the rule"!!!

Since flouroscopy is the mechanism used during the procedure, a trip to the radiography dept. and/or a portable x-ray is not even necessary unless symptoms of a pneumo. become apparent way after the fact.

 

[ellencee]

Additionally: I worked in a cath lab for years.

Although a "chest x-ray" can/would/could be done...this is an act of precaution. Better safe than sorry!!!

A pneomothorax from this specific procedure is the "exception NOT the rule"!!!

Since flouroscopy is the mechanism used during the procedure, a trip to the radiography dept. and/or a portable x-ray is not even necessary unless symptoms of a pneumo. become apparent way after the fact.

Take it up with the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Maybe you will have better luck convincing them that you and your "heart surgeon hubby" know more they do. Be sure to add that you know the "head" of the cath lab and some twins who are anesthesiologists.

My opinion of your facts has never changed and, most likely, never will; and the cardiologists with whom I work and who reviewed your previous 'facts from hubby' concurred that if your husband is a cardiologist, he spends his afternoons drinking and wishing he had kept his fly zipped and knowing that in the after-life, purgatory is the worst he has to worry about.

EC

 

[shell007]

Take it up with the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Maybe you will have better luck convincing them that you and your "heart surgeon hubby" know more they do. Be sure to add that you know the "head" of the cath lab and some twins who are anesthesiologists.

My opinion of your facts has never changed and, most likely, never will; and the cardiologists with whom I work and who reviewed your previous 'facts from hubby' concurred that if your husband is a cardiologist, he spends his afternoons drinking and wishing he had kept his fly zipped and knowing that in the after-life, purgatory is the worst he has to worry about.

EC

I confidently know for a fact that Hubby knows more than YOU, and I will even concede to the fact that he knows more than I given my own experience. I don't have a problem with that. YOU DO!!!

Give me factual case evidence to prove your point where cardiac Cath's REGULARLY result in a pneumothorax!!! Until you list the statistic's...your point is WORTHLESS!!

This thread, nor any other thread, is supposed to turn into a personal attack. If you feel that you have to stoop to such a personal level in order to prove your point...I feel sorry for you!!! You are sick!!!!

I wish you the best with your personal moral struggles in life!

I will argue with you NO MORE!!!

JEALOUSY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!!!!

 

[shell007]

In addition:

purgatory is the worst he has to worry about.

Number one, what does purgatory have to do with a pneumothorax that we're trying to HELP someone out with, do you have attention deficit disorder, or are you 9 years old ? - this is the way my 4th grader rambles on. If the "cardiologists" that you are working for are experiencing a large number of Pneumothoraxes from routine caths, then they really are not good (actually BAD), or you work in a cath lab in a 3rd World country, and if purgatory is the WORST I need to worry about (i.e. I'll do some time and move on to heaven), then I'll be in good shape - learn the definition of purgatory (and pneumothorax for that matter) and learn how to write a decent insult moron.

I love my wife more than you will ever experience!!! You can take that to the bank along with my pay check and experience!!!

Signed: The Cardiac Surgeon himself!!!!!

Based on your personal ignorant responce...you'll wish pergatory was an option for you. Help the OP!!! Don't pass judgement on others!!!

 

[ellencee]

I confidently know for a fact that Hubby knows more than YOU, and I will even concede to the fact that he knows more than I given my own experience. I don't have a problem with that. YOU DO!!!

Give me factual case evidence to prove your point where cardiac Cath's REGULARLY result in a pneumothorax!!! Until you list the statistic's...your point is WORTHLESS!!

This thread, nor any other thread, is supposed to turn into a personal attack. If you feel that you have to stoop to such a personal level in order to prove your point...I feel sorry for you!!! You are sick!!!!

I wish you the best with your personal moral struggles in life!

I will argue with you NO MORE!!!

JEALOUSY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!!!!

No one ever posted that pneumothorax is a REGULAR complication of a cardiac cath. I stated that it is routine to do a chest x-ray to rule out a pneumothorax or other complication, which I also described.

You did, however, state that heart-surgeon-hubby is unaware of the known complication of pneumothorax...

With that being said...Cardiac cath's are done normally through the femoral artery and/or sometimes (but more rare) the arm. In any event...I have discussed this question with both of them this afternoon and neither agree with the following statement that: "complications of a heart cath is a pneumothorax".

Thank you for your "best" for my moral struggles, but I have none; my morals are firmly decided.

You will argue with me if you continue to post in the medmal section because you are not qualified to do so and have little to nothing to offer in this section of this forum.

Money is the root of all evil; jealousy is an evil.

EC

 

[shell007]

Money is the root of all evil; jealousy is an evil.

Which is what you are...Jealous of people who have "first hand knowledge", and more knowledge than you!!!!

To the OP: Please take the information given by everyone involved in this thread and use it to the best of your knowledge. Knowledge is POWER!!!

Malpractice is questionable at best. If indeed your beliefs prove to be fact then GOOD LUCK TO YOU, and you deserve compensation. IF NOT...be well and continue to take care of yourself.

Best of luck and best wishes to you and your health!!

Shelly

 

[justalayman]

Money is the root of all evil; jealousy is an evil.

Actually it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil.

 

[saundra007]

I am new to this and jsut now beginning to learn how to work it a little better than the first night i was on here relating my concerns.
Soo you all barre with me, it seems there are alot of intellegent people on here in connection with the meedical field. I do appreciate all the comments and helps when i didnt have any knowledge of this thorax. I was and will look this up, but since all this it has been 7 weeks and my Mother was taking care of me and then she is out with her friends for Christmas and she fell dead, what a shocker, so not only am i dealing with my own trama now losing my Mom.

I suppose one or two of you all know what your talking about and that gives me a lead way to investigate deeper with all the information yo have spoken of here. I just know and feel in my gut something wasnt right when I was iin and out of the ER room so many times then after that when the hole blew in my lung I had no air, calld 911 and baely made to the ER room so they could insert a tube. i came very close to dieing.. I am not the type of person who is just looking to sue someone. I just want the truth as to what happen to me and I will find out I have many question for my doctors. If there was mistakes of negelance, of course i want compersation i feel it is my right if something wasnt done correctly. If I am having such problems with working I would file for my disability I do have to live. I hear most of you say Husbands, well I am single and cant work so it is possiible I could lose eveerrythng i have, and i dont have a mother or father too lean or anyone else.

My main concern is all I want is the truth, or could it happen again, I have been having panic attacks over this since I do live by myself i stay scared all the time. Luckly when this happen to me I was at my daughters who lives two miles from the nearest emergency managment station. Thank all of you for your help at least i have some news i can look up and ask my doctors.

 

[ellencee]

Actually it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil.

You're right. 1Timothy 6:10 (The last chapter in Paul's first epistle to Timothy)
Depending on your Bible's translation version: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil".

"Shelly"
This forum has one "wife" and "husband" who "discuss" topics, post to each other, and defend each other. The husband is supposedly an attorney, emphasis on supposedly, as your "husband" is supposedly a heart surgeon. The aforementioned attorney is not an attorney nor has he ever posted one single word; his wife posts for him and for herself. She's been doing it the whole time I've been reading/answering on this site. She's got dibs on "rights" to perform here. Stop while you can save a little "face".

Just for the record, the wife and husband (attorney) person posts under a third identity, a female attorney--not real, either.
EC

 

[rmet4nzkx]

I am new to this and jsut now beginning to learn how to work it a little better than the first night i was on here relating my concerns.
Soo you all barre with me, it seems there are alot of intellegent people on here in connection with the meedical field. I do appreciate all the comments and helps when i didnt have any knowledge of this thorax. I was and will look this up, but since all this it has been 7 weeks and my Mother was taking care of me and then she is out with her friends for Christmas and she fell dead, what a shocker, so not only am i dealing with my own trama now losing my Mom.

I suppose one or two of you all know what your talking about and that gives me a lead way to investigate deeper with all the information yo have spoken of here. I just know and feel in my gut something wasnt right when I was iin and out of the ER room so many times then after that when the hole blew in my lung I had no air, calld 911 and baely made to the ER room so they could insert a tube. i came very close to dieing.. I am not the type of person who is just looking to sue someone. I just want the truth as to what happen to me and I will find out I have many question for my doctors. If there was mistakes of negelance, of course i want compersation i feel it is my right if something wasnt done correctly. If I am having such problems with working I would file for my disability I do have to live. I hear most of you say Husbands, well I am single and cant work so it is possiible I could lose eveerrythng i have, and i dont have a mother or father too lean or anyone else.

My main concern is all I want is the truth, or could it happen again, I have been having panic attacks over this since I do live by myself i stay scared all the time. Luckly when this happen to me I was at my daughters who lives two miles from the nearest emergency managment station. Thank all of you for your help at least i have some news i can look up and ask my doctors.

Sandra, I'm sorry for your loss. What is the cause of your mother's sudden and unexpected death?

The "cardiologist husband" did not respond as one would expect a professional to respond to my challenge. For now I will still assume that Shelly has written all the posts under her moniker and nothing more until I see something demonstrating any expertise or competence. None the less it is still a leap to malpractice even though it has taken a long time in treating you or arriving at a diagnosis. You can be appropriately treated for the presenting symptooms and signs, yet not reach an accurate diagnosis or cure and still not equate, negligence or malpractice.

I brought up the question of A1AD because this can complicate your problem, it affects the breakdown of elastin in the lungs, this could be why you would be cleared after an ER visit or proceedure only to have a delayed reaction happen at a later date. You are 7 weeks into an expected 26 week recovery futher complicated by unexpected grief, so your recovery could take longer.

There are ways to control your anxiety, you need to see your doctor for that and please ask about cardiac/lung rehab programs in your area. Apply for disability. See if you can get your daughter to handle your mother's estate, that is stress you don't need right now. Contact, the link I priovided so you can get tested, that will help explain or rule out that as a factor in what happened. Your history of Asthma and smoking may have also contributed to your condition more than any form of malpractice. There are ways to treat this if that is the problem. Not testing for A1AD is not malpractice either just in case you thought that.