Heart problems in an infant with Turner's syndrome

       My three month old daughter has a few problems with her heart.  A bicuspid aortic valve that was also too thick, an adnormally shaped aorta with the fetal duct still open, and a severe leaking mitrol valve.  We are seeing a cardiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).  On 9/22 we got the results back that she has Turner's syndrome (45x,47xxx).  The biggest concerns at this point are her heart problems.  They are causing pressure on her lungs (I think the cardiologist said it was "35") and her left ventricle is very large, and thickening in places.  Three weeks ago she underwent an angioplasty to open her aortic valve.  During routine cath maneuvers the doctors had to shock her twice.  But the procedure was successful in that the blood flows better through the valve, but it didn't help the pressure in her lungs or heart.  She is now taking captopril to lower the pressure.  The cardiologist can't find any other blockages and is not sure of why the pressures are staying so high.  Her aorta problem is somewhat common with Turner's.  The malformity doesn't ussually cause problems -- so I've been told.  The concern there is that when her fetal duct closes it could cause a coarctation.  The last problem is the most bothersome.  Her mitrol valve is leaking severely.  It is also misshaped.  The cardiologist wants to give her two more months to see if some of the problems will subside.
       Can you tell me the effects the high pressures could be having on her lungs and heart?  What kind of damage could be being done to her left ventricle during all this?  What are some of the options for someone her age on the mitrol valve issue?
       Thank you so much for your time.  This is truly a great service.
                                            God bless our little ones,
                                                              Jason

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

  
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your question.  It sounds as if you are receiving excellent care at UAB and I