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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
MVP and AI
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MVP and AI
by Meghann, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
I had been having palpitations, but didn't pursue it until a GI doctor heard an "extra beat". The cardio took an ekg which came back fine. However, the echo yesterday showed an MVP without regurgitation and a slight aortic insufficiency. He said to come back in a year for another echo and to take antibiotics prior to procedures. Now a day later, of course I have all sorts of questions. He didn't say if I had a bicuspid aortic valve. Shouldn't we look into the cause of these? Also, will the two combined cause wear and tear on each other? I had a PDA repaired at 2 1/2 and I had Grave's disease with a pulse of 120 for about two years. Could these have helped cause this? Basically should I be getting more answers or should I just wait the year? He is sending a letter to my GP which may answer some of these. Thank you. Oh, I had also been extremely tired and sometimes my heard pounds so hard it hurts. Could these symptoms be caused by this?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
emka,
Thanks for the post.
Q1:"Shouldn't we look into the cause of these?"
MVP is a diagnosis unto itself -- that is to say that MVP is the "cause" of MVP. Trace AI is found in a very small percentage of all persons with otherwise normal hearts, somewhere on the order of 1%. We sometimes see patients with MVP who will have a slight "floppiness" or redundancy of their aortic valve as well, which might be the source of the AI.
Q2:"will the two combined cause wear and tear on each other?"
Severe AI can lead to damage to the mitral valve, but trace AI is not thought to lead to MV damage.
Q3:"I had Grave's disease with a pulse of 120 for about two years. Could these have helped cause this?"
I can't think of a plausible way to establish a link between these diagnoses.
Q4:"Basically should I be getting more answers or should I just wait the year?"
This is your call. If you would like to ask questions, make an appointment to do so -- this is perfectly reasonable.
Q5:"I had also been extremely tired and sometimes my heard pounds so hard it hurts. Could these symptoms be caused by this?"
MVP without regurgitation and trace AI are not associated mechanistically with shortness of breath. MVP is associated with palpitations. I might mention this to the cardiologist along with your other questions.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the post.
Q1:"Shouldn't we look into the cause of these?"
MVP is a diagnosis unto itself -- that is to say that MVP is the "cause" of MVP. Trace AI is found in a very small percentage of all persons with otherwise normal hearts, somewhere on the order of 1%. We sometimes see patients with MVP who will have a slight "floppiness" or redundancy of their aortic valve as well, which might be the source of the AI.
Q2:"will the two combined cause wear and tear on each other?"
Severe AI can lead to damage to the mitral valve, but trace AI is not thought to lead to MV damage.
Q3:"I had Grave's disease with a pulse of 120 for about two years. Could these have helped cause this?"
I can't think of a plausible way to establish a link between these diagnoses.
Q4:"Basically should I be getting more answers or should I just wait the year?"
This is your call. If you would like to ask questions, make an appointment to do so -- this is perfectly reasonable.
Q5:"I had also been extremely tired and sometimes my heard pounds so hard it hurts. Could these symptoms be caused by this?"
MVP without regurgitation and trace AI are not associated mechanistically with shortness of breath. MVP is associated with palpitations. I might mention this to the cardiologist along with your other questions.
Best of luck.
