Cardiologist Questions Pleural Effusion

What is pleural effusion? And how it is related to my case?

I am a 40 year old male corporate mogul went to the Emergency Department due to difficulty

breathing. Upon thorough history, you found out that I was diabetic, hypertensive and was

diagnosed with heart enlargement and acute myocardial infarction five years ago. On physical

examination, I had distended neck veins, decreased breath sounds at the level of T7,

bilaterally. On Chest X-ray, massive pleural effusion is present bilaterally. Serum albumin was within

normal limits.

-I would like to ask what are the pertinent positives and negatives in this case?

-What is pleural effusion? And how it is related to my case?

-Also I wish to know what are the diagnostic and work ups you want for me?

-What are the best treatments for my situation

-How do we prevent this condition from happening?

Male | 40 years old
Complaint duration: 5 years
Medications: none
Conditions: diabetic, hypertensive, heart enlargement and acute myocardial infarction five years ago. On physical examination, I had distended neck veins, decreased breath sounds at the level of T7 bilaterally

1 Answer

CardiologistPleuralEffusion
Without more information just based on your history of MI I’d be concerned for heart failure and recurrent or worsened coronary artery disease. You need a full cardiac workup including labs, ekg, echocardiogram and some form of ischemic evaluation
Will likely also require diuretics to remove the fluid from your lungs
Best of luck and wishing you good health