Transcript

- Recently, I was asked to see a 51 year old man for evaluation of a cough. Normally, I don't think much about that, but this person had had a cough since last summer. The symptoms first started in Colorado, where he was doing a lot of working out and was very active. He saw multiple providers looking for that perfect cough suppressing agent, but nothing really worked. He had a recommendation that he should see a heart doctor. That was the first opportunity that we had to talk to him. He told me that he coughs all the time, but he also noted that the cough was worse when he laid down. After I took his history, I started examining him and noted that at the bottom of his lungs, he had what we call crackles, some really faint sounds of either fluid or infection there. And importantly had a very loud systolic murmur. And I looked at his EKG, which suggested that his left atrium was enlarged. Together, between his exam, the electrocardiogram, and his clinical history, I decided that it would be good to admit him to Clements hospital for further evaluation. Now you've heard the background of this patient's story, he's in the hospital, what do you think is going on? Check back in 28 hours for the answer.