In Need of SERIOUS help and advice for my brother asap please!

I just found out tonight that my brother's heart is operating at 20%. I was shocked to hear this from the cardiologist himself. My bro was in the hospital for a little over a month due to kidney failure, liver failure and acute pancreatitis. He was in the ICU for three weeks before spending another week on the DOU floor and then finally released. This was all brought on by years of drinking. He was getting dialysis three times a week for three weeks before he went back into the hospital.
Suddenly last night he started to experience shortness of breath and was feeling light headed. He drove himself to the hospital bc he didnt want to take any chances and was admitted. He is 41 years old and was always in seemingly good health. Now we have learned he has both irreparable and reparable damage to his left ventricle. His lungs had fluid so they did dialysis to get rid of it. He has no appetite and lost a lot of weight.
I want to know what the chances are of a full recovery and what he has to expect from here on out. I know an ANGIOGRAM is going to happen tomorrow and I know the risks that go along with it. This will most likely shut down his kidneys forever and he will eventually need a transplant. I am FEARFUL that his heart wont recover.
Has anyone experienced anything like this before? What are his chances? PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU CAN. Thank you. God Bless.

raquelita

Welcome to HealingWell and I am so sorry about your brother.

Are you saying his Ejection Fraction  is 20 %. Normal would be 50% - 60% +/- 5%

Does he have  intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in to help his cardiac output?

The dye used for angios may have an effect on his kidneys but will they shut them down forever, I do not know. This is where you talk to his cardiologist and pray. We will be praying with you.

Let me tell  you a good story that may give you hope.

My sister was dx in August with ovarian cancer..........her CA 125 cancer marker on admit to the hospital was 22,000. She had her last chemo today and her CA125 cancer marker was down to 35 and should drop even more once todays chemo kicks in.  Miracles do happen.  She was in the ICU on a ventilator is full system shut down when we flew her to the U of MN. We are now planning surgery for January.  She has been here in MN for 112 days.............lives in North Dakota :)

Don't give up hope and know I am her for you.

Bless you and your brother.  I hope you keep us posted and know we are here to support you.

Peace,
Kitt

I am sorry to hear about your brother. I can't help you with this, but you need to get as much info from his doctor as possible. His heart operating at 20% - what EXACTLY does that mean, and what exactly is wrong with his heart? You will probably know after the angiogram and yes I understand your fears on the dye interactions with kidneys. You and your brother need to stay strong. Do update us.

Raquelita, I'm sorry. I don't have any knowledge about this sort of thing. But I can tell you that I will be praying for your brother and your family. I hope everything works out. Don't give up hope!

Kitt, I'm also sorry to hear about your sister. I'll add her to my prayers as well.