Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Tachycardia

[iansmomma]

Hi, I am a 27 year old Female. I was recently diagnosed with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve with mild regurgation and sclerosis. Everything else looks normal except for an ejection fraction of 55%.  Yesterday I went to the emergency room becuase I have been having chest pain and extreeme dizzyness and fatigue. I have also been having a numb feeling in my toes.  They took blood did an EKG and a chest x-ray. They seem to think I may have Tachycardia so they sent me home with a Holter monitor. The ER doctor told me that my BAV probably would not be causing the problems. Do you think there is a connection with the BAV and Tachycardia? Would that mean my regurgation is more severe than they thought? If not what could be causing the chest pain, dizziness ect.  I was also wondering if while wearing the Holter monitor I don't have any events to log such as chest pain will they will be able to make a diagnosis just from the report from the monitor. Thank you for your time.

[Cleveland Clinic]

iansmomma,

thanks for the post.

Im not sure exactly what to make of your story.  

In itself the valve is not probably causing your symptoms unless there is a significant amount of stenosis or regurgitation seen on the echocardiogram.  If there is a moderate amount, then a TEE may help further define the specifics of the valve.  If not routine surveilance of the valve would be the method of choice for following the valve.

Im not sure why they thought you were having a tachycardia unless it was some element of your history they obtained while spending time with you.  If so, a holter or event monitor would correlate the symptoms.

good luck,

let us know what happens.

[Jeff67]

With only mild regurgitation my understanding is that an EF of 55% is absolutely normal.  Mine is about that and it is normal.

[iansmomma]

Thanks that is good to know about the EF. I was worried about that.

[Jeff67]

Anacyde,

Have you heard of the EF range being different for males and females?  I have read it is in some places and in other places they are lumped together.  My EF is identical to yours and I am a male.

[iansmomma]

I went to my first Cardiologist appointment yesterday to discuss the BAV and other symptoms. After listening to my heart he said he wasn't sure but, he didn't think I had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve and ordered another Echo. Can a cardiologist really know that I don't have BAV just by listening to my heart? My last Echo said that there was a BAV with sclerosis and mild regurgatation. I have to wait 2 weeks to get the rusults. What are you supposed to think when one person tells you that you have a heart defect and one person says that you don't? I am very confused!

[mbimom]

I too find it wierd that one doc cansay you have a Bicuspid aortic valve and then another one says no. For years I was told I had a lost of clicks in my heart but after an echo they said no BAC and no MVP.Then when I started having SVT and had an ablation the doc recomended that I have a TEE which is an echo with a camera they put down your throat, it gives a more accurate picture. I was then told that I definately have BAC with insufficiency. I now have to take antibiotics for surgery and dentist which I didn't do for years because I was told I didn't have a valve problem. My daughter had a simular experience, the pediatrician heard clicks in her heart and sent her to a ped card and had an echo and was told NO BAC. Well after my experience I said lets get a second opinion and went to Scnieders childrens hospital in NY and sure enough with just a regular echo she was diagnosed with BAC. This doc said she had 3 cusps but 2 of them were fused together making it essentialy 2 cusps. He said this was called tricommisurate bicuspid aortic valve. She is now on antibiotic propholaxis and had yearly echo's. So my advice to you is go to a really good cardiologist and be sure. Good Luck.