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My dad is in ICU with CHF and secondary COPD. He had 4 plus edema in his feet. He was given Digoxin and Lasix IVP because he was tachycardic at 160-170. His feet are still swollen but of less degree, they are now red and sensitive due to blisters he developed. He is on CPaP for sleep as he has sleep apnea. He is on a cardizem drip and his heart rate is 90-110. He also has a spingellia hernia and a umbilical hernia. He is awake, alert, oriented and cracking jokes on occassion. What can I expect as his prognosis. Also he has two tumors in his kidney but fuction is good.

Optional Information:
Male , Age: 76

Already Tried:
Zaroxolyn, Lasix, Hyzaar, soaking feet, resp. tx.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

First let me say that I'm sorry to hear that you father is having all of these problems. There are a lot of things that go into determining a patient's prognosis in congestive heart failure. Probably the most important are the ejection fraction (the percentage of blood within the heart that is pumped out with each contraction), and other medical problems. The fact that he has tumors on his kidney (benign or malignant?) would be one serious complicating matter. The sleep apnea is another problem, but if he is using his CPAP consistently that should help.

Here is an article which addresses prognosis. 24% of patients admitted to a hospital for new or worsening CHF died in the first year.

A second article specifically looked at older patients, 1/3 died in the first year, and only about 1 in 5 survived 6 years after their first hospitalization for CHF

Edited by FamilyPhysician on October 2 2006 at 2:39 AM

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