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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Aortic Insuffiency
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Aortic Insuffiency
by sandra kimmel, Oct 15, 1999 12:00AM
I'm 49 and have mod. to sev. aortic insufficiency.
I was talking with the nurse at the cardiologists about my aortic insufficiency she said my echo showed some calcification of the aortic root. She said if this becomes too calcified, a replacement of the aortic valve would not be possible because there would be nothing for the sutures to adhere to.
Is this true? She scared the heck out of me! This was after I had my appointment with the cardiologist and he never mentioned any calcification. What would happen if the valve can't be replaced because of this? Would my only option be to die of heart failure?
I also heard of a patient coming though the surgery and dying two days later because sutures let go. How common is this?
How do I keep from worrying about all of the possibilities that could go wrong when I have this surgery? I'm going to be a nut case if I keep this up. Help!
I was talking with the nurse at the cardiologists about my aortic insufficiency she said my echo showed some calcification of the aortic root. She said if this becomes too calcified, a replacement of the aortic valve would not be possible because there would be nothing for the sutures to adhere to.
Is this true? She scared the heck out of me! This was after I had my appointment with the cardiologist and he never mentioned any calcification. What would happen if the valve can't be replaced because of this? Would my only option be to die of heart failure?
I also heard of a patient coming though the surgery and dying two days later because sutures let go. How common is this?
How do I keep from worrying about all of the possibilities that could go wrong when I have this surgery? I'm going to be a nut case if I keep this up. Help!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Oct 16, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Sandy,
It is important not to miss your window for surgery with A!. It is important to perform surgery before your ventricle dilates and loses its pumping capacity. This is when surgery may not help.
It may be more technically demanding to do a valve with more calcification but certainly not impossible. We do plenty of these each week. I might suggest a second opinion to put your mind at ease.
I would recommend a consult with Dr. Bruce lytle here at CCF if that is an option for you.
It is most important for you to have faith in your cardiolgist and surgeon this will help alleve some of the worry.
It is important not to miss your window for surgery with A!. It is important to perform surgery before your ventricle dilates and loses its pumping capacity. This is when surgery may not help.
It may be more technically demanding to do a valve with more calcification but certainly not impossible. We do plenty of these each week. I might suggest a second opinion to put your mind at ease.
I would recommend a consult with Dr. Bruce lytle here at CCF if that is an option for you.
It is most important for you to have faith in your cardiolgist and surgeon this will help alleve some of the worry.
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Does heart damage from this regurg. usually progress slowly over the years? Are yearly echo's adequate?
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions. You're all wonderful, and I'll keep you in my prayers!
I would recommend an appointment with a cardiologist ( either Dr, Hammer or Mills and a referral after that to Dr. Lytle ( a surgeon) if appropriate. As far as echos, as long as your sympotms are stable, yearly echos are fine.
Best of luck,