for someone who is over 90 years old and has heart failure (accumulating water around lungs and having difficulty breathing) could percutaneous valve surgery or through the ribs, instead of open heart be more advisable to fix three leaky valves? every time diuretics (water pills) are given the blood pressure drops to low. what could be done?

May need other diuretics eg aldosterone as opposed to lasix(frusemide).May need a Bp medication to counteract hypotension.
90 yrs of age may indicate pecutaneous access due to being poor candidate for anaesthesia.Limit oral fluid intake so as not to overload the heart and lungs.Sleeping semi reclined will help.

Aldosterone decreases K+ & increases serum sodium--- really bad idea with a geriatric patient with CHF!!

Unfortunately, being 90 years old is a big risk factor-- not only for anesthesia, but surgery is difficult on the body. Do the benefits outweigh the risk? Probably No.

What is the drop in bl pressure? Does he/she feel faint, or light headed after the lasix is given? What other medications is the patient on? What dose of Lasix is he/she on, & would a lower dose of Lasix (ie. 20mg. or smaller) over a longer period work better? These r questions u need to talk about with the doctor so the patient can get on a better medication regimen.

Good Luck!

Listen to Cliffo, student nurses extraordinaire !!!

Better get your doctor is advice.