Water in the lung

[rideau]

My husband had triple bypass and a mitral valve repair in Jan 2010.  Since then he has had his lung drained 3 times.  It seems like everyone else each time there is more fluid.  We will be going in a fourth time, although no one has mentioned this sealing compound that they put in the lung? I realize that the reason for the fluid is because the heart is no 100% yet, but when it's hard to breath one can't exercise all that well.  Will this fluid stop and how can one exercise while all this is going on?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Fluid collection in the pleural space (pleural effusion) is a common complication of bypass surgery. This depends on a number of factors like post op rehabilitation, lung exercises, deep breathing exercises, extent of percussion of lung to dislodge the fluid, and taking steam on time. Early ambulation helps clear the fluid a lot. Similarly the condition of heart especially the left ventricle function also decides the level of effusion. If there is no infection, your husband must be put under the care of a physiotherapist to aid discharge of pleural effusion. Generally after 2-3 thoracocentesis the pleural effusion decreases. Do discuss this with your husband’s doctor. Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[kenkeith]

Did your husband left ventricle dysfunction prior to the mitral valve repair?  If it is a heart problem, that would indicate the heart is pumping less than 30% of the blood received from the lungs.  The blood backs up in the lungs and fluids leak into the tissues.

My information from the Mayo Clinic comments are if there is left ventricle dysfunction prior to valve operation, the heart may never return to normal pumping ability. I have moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation so I am somewhat concerned when I should have intervention....heart is pumping normally now and no symptoms....