Question about coughing after heart surgery?

Question

My grandpa had a triple bypass around 9 months ago. He was on a ventilator after the surgery for several days - longer than usual patients as he only has one kidney.

Since the surgery, he has been having lots of coughing fits. The Dr has stated that it ios possibly the ventilator which has caused some scarring on his throat. All they have recommended is cough medicine to try and stop the coughing. A few days this week he has been coughing so hard he is sick.

Was just wondering if anyone knows if these coughing fits are normal and if they have any other remedies they could recommend to help stop the coughing?

Answer 1

I am a respiratory therapist and I often worked with post op bypass patients. It's not uncommon for older patients to develop pulmonary infections due to reduced lung function that normally follows any kind of surgery, especially thoracic surgery. While the tube down the throat causes irritation for awhile I'd think nine months is a long time for that, I would ask his doctor if he would order a chest Xray at least to give him more information about whats going on in your grandpa's chest.

Answer 2

Dry Cough After Surgery

Answer 3

I would seek a second opinion. There are other causes of coughing post bypass. Your grandpa may have been started on a drug called an ACE inhibitor (eg. lisinopril), which are notorious for giving you a dry cough. He may have some heart failure which can also present with a cough. Both of these problems can be resolved with a change in medication.

It is not usual to develop scarring of the throat from a few days on a ventilator. If your grandpa's voice hasn't changed, I think it very unlikely. I would visit his doctor again.

Answer 4

The most likely cause is the ventilator as the tubes etc can cause irritation of the throat which upsets the nerves causing cough fits. Every one can experience cough fits after surgery and the older we are the more chance of scarring and irritation can be .
Try giving a thick sweet substance such a honey or jam as this can settle things down
Warm water soothes the throat spasms
But check with his doctor what he is allowed to eat in case there is other problems that may be caused first

Answer 5

A bit of disagreement with your doctors diagnosis as 9 months has passed , why didn't the coughing started immediately.
Consult a good ENT Specialist and a pulmonologist and have the matter sorted out OK, it always better to take a second opinion.

Answer 6

just had angioplasty and have developed a bad dry cough next day after surgery

Answer 7

i had coughing for about 2 weeks after a triple but i'm ok now so think grandad should have another check its not normal

Answer 8

You can get rid of acid reflux and heartburn with this natural method http://acidreflux-cure.info
Usually, heartburnThe most common symptom of acid reflux disease (also known as gastroespohageal reflux disease, or GERD). Heartburn feels like a burning pain in the center of the chest. It is caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the esophagus. is a symptom of acid reflux disease (GERD) Also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Describes the condition of backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus which frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. The symptoms of acid reflux disease typically occur on 2 or more days a week.. And if you suffer from persistent heartburn on two or more days a week—and you’ve treated it and changed your diet—it could be due to acid refluxBackflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Acid reflux frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. This allows harsh stomach juices to back up into the esophagus. disease. But only your doctor can tell you if these are signs of acid reflux disease.

Answer 9

1