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1000+ verified doctorsWhat could have caused my father's sudden health decline after pacemaker surgery at 81 years old? - #54458
Respected Sir, I want to remember in deep sorrow the sudden demise of my father (81 Years age ) in the month of March, 2024. Earlier he was fainted and fallen down 3-4 times on different days. For your information, during long days back he had no tendency of hungriness for foods. Suddenly, one day his two legs were swollen dangerously and developed mild breathing problem. After checking by Oximeter, his pulse rate was drastically low and had 3rd degree heart blockage. Immediately, I hospitalized him where they decided to implant Pacemaker externally and accordingly they did so. On the same day, after elapsing 2 hours they finally implanted the Pacemaker permanently. Thereafter, within 2-3 days he came back to normal position and they released him after 2-3 days. On the very next day at his residence, again he faced the same problems i.e. breathing problem and two legs swelling with a new one that is in speaking problem due to affected in his throat, although he had having Pacemaker permanently in his body. Again we shifted him on the same day at the same hospital at Kolkata. But, his health condition was deteriorating (no blood pressure, increasing carbon DI-oxide, etc.) day by day and at last he was in ventilation support, resulting his death. One more thing I would like to inform you that before every medical examination, they sought our written permission for that. I do not understand that being all they are the medical practitioners, why they did such behave with us, it is their duty to treat patient what they think better independently. I would like to further inform you that he had no blood sugar and high blood pressure problems. By explaining the above incidence, hope, you would understand it clearly. Now, may I request sir for your expert comments in the case of the above mentioned treatment done by the hospital at Kolkata? If possible, please reply to my email with your valued comments. Thanks and regards, G. K. Nath
How long did your father experience swelling in his legs before the pacemaker surgery?:
- 1 monthDid your father have any other symptoms prior to the fainting episodes?:
- NoneHow was his appetite leading up to the health issues?:
- NormalWere there any significant stressors or changes in his life before his health declined?:
- No, everything was stableWhat was his general level of physical activity before these health issues?:
- Moderately activeDid he have any previous heart-related issues or surgeries before the pacemaker?:
- No, this was his firstHow did the medical staff communicate the risks and procedures to you and your family?:
- Not at allDid he have any known allergies or adverse reactions to medications?:
- No, noneDoctors' responses
From the history, your father likely had severe heart failure with 3rd-degree heart block (very slow heartbeat), causing fainting, leg swelling, and breathlessness. A pacemaker is the correct emergency treatment for heart block. But after discharge, the return of swelling, breathing trouble, and difficulty speaking suggests other serious complications such as worsening heart failure / fluid in lungs stroke or nerve problem affecting speech/throat pacemaker malfunction/displacement (less common) infection, low blood pressure, or kidney/lung failure high carbon dioxide means respiratory failure, so ventilator support was needed. Regarding written permission: hospitals ask for consent forms before procedures/tests because it is legally and ethically required. It does not mean negligence. From your description, the initial pacemaker treatment seems appropriate, but whether discharge was too early or whether another complication was missed can only be judged by reviewing records, ECG, echo, and pacemaker reports. Ayurvedic support in such chronic heart weakness cases may include Arjuna powder 3 g with warm water twice daily Punarnava tablet 1 twice daily for swelling light, low-salt diet. However, in emergency conditions like your father’s, modern emergency cardiac care is essential. May his soul rest in peace.
Respected Sir, In your valued comment you have written “But whether discharge was too early or whether another complication was missed can only be judged by reviewing records, ECG, echo, and pacemaker reports”. But, they had done nothing as per you and gave him BiPAP support. Pacemaker is given to patient to normalize heart rate but, why my father’s health condition was deteriorating day by day, I could not understand. I think your valued judgement (as written by you in your reply) would help to get normalcy of my father’s heart condition if they follow step by step, particularly for pacemaker report. It is definitely my/our misfortune that I had admitted my father at such a callous hospital in Kolkata. Many thanks for your valued comments. With regards, G. K. Nath
Respected Sir, In your valued comment you have written “But whether discharge was too early or whether another complication was missed can only be judged by reviewing records, ECG, echo, and pacemaker reports”. But, they had done nothing as per you and gave him BiPAP support. Pacemaker is given to patient to normalize heart rate but, why my father’s health condition was deteriorating day by day, I could not understand. I think your valued judgement (as written by you in your reply) would help to get normalcy of my father’s heart condition if they follow step by step, particularly for pacemaker report. It is definitely my/our misfortune that I had admitted my father at such a callous hospital in Kolkata. Many thanks for your valued comments. With regards, G. K. Nath
The treatment course was sent to the patient's private messages.
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