The only way to determine accurately what is happening is to have your mother evaluated by a cardiologist who will probably do an echocardiogram on her to evaluate the valves and the ventricle. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to generate pictures of the valves and the heart chambers. An echo is usually performed on the chest wall but the mechanical valves cause acoustic shadowing when viewed from the chest wall. Medications like diuretics can be used to remove the extra fluid from the lungs, but that would need to be directed by her physician. I hope you find this information useful.
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