Mitral Valve Repair

I'm told I will need a repair in the future.   I'm 42, female, 5'5" and 140 lbs. Presently I'm taking Atenonol 50 mg  and Accurpil 20 mg a day, and an Ecotrin a day. I was hospitalized last October for a possible stroke.  It was more probably a TIA. I had a dalium stress test last Dec.2000.  I also had a TEE.
I read on this site its good to get an Stress Echo.  Is that the same as a dalium stress test?    My dalium stress test was OK.  But I don't have the report.  I've been seeing my cardiogist every 3 months and having an echo cardiogram every 6 months. I get fatigued but am still very active.  He says he will discuss where I would have surgery when the symptoms or a change in my echo warrants it. (I'm in NY) He spoke of incresing the accupril.  Do you have any good questions I should present to my doctor? I'm going to be seeing him soon.  I've been reading the posts here and have been learning alot.
Any Input would be appreciate.

Eco 2D & M Mode 5/17/01
Severe MVP of the Posterior Mitral Valve Leaflet and Moderate Prolapse of the Anterior MV. Leaflet Both MV Leaflets are thickened. Normal Left Ventricular Function, Chamber size and wall motion. No pericardioal Effusion, Mural Thrombus or Vegitation Seen. Est. Left vent. ejec fraction is 60-65%.  Color flow and doppler: Trace pulmonic Reg. Moderate to Seve. Mitral Reg. Mild Tricusipid Regurgitaton.  
Diastolic Rvd 1.3 cm, IVS thickness 0.7 cm,
LV post wall 0.7, LV diameter 5.5 cm, LA Dia.3.4 cm.,Ao Root 2.6cm,

Thank You

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Nancy,
The most important thing with mitral valve regurgitation is not to wait too long before repair.  By the time the heart function starts to decrease or you start to develop symptoms there has already been damage done that may not be reversed by surgery.  So I would focus my questions with your doctor on the timing of surgery.  Once it is time for surgery the choice of surgeon is very important as well.  Dr. Cosgrove here at the Cleveland Clinic is one of the top mitral valve repair surgeons in the world.  If a trip to Cleveland for your surgery is a possibility I would also discuss this with your doctor.

[NgottMV]

Thanks you doctor for your response.  I don't want to wait too long and not reap the benefits that a mitral repair has to offer.
I did press the issue about when I may need repair during my last vist.  He basically said if my ecentric jet, atrium size or symptoms change in the slightest bit it would be time.  I also had a second opinion.  It was a different cardiogist that gave me the dalium stress test in December last year.  They both agreed I should just be watched and monitored closley for now.
I'm definetly going to tell him I've been doing my homework.  

Thanks for your response.  I'd still like to know if a stress echo is the same as the dalium stress test?  If not please tell me the difference.

Thanks again,
Nancy

[JenniferO]

Nancy, while you're in the wait and watch mode, do be researching and interviewing surgeons.  MEET them way ahead of time.  Don't be in the position I am where your insurance company doesn't cover the surgeon and hospital you want.  Be prepared to change your health plan if necessary.  Having choices (a non-restrictive network) would be my number 1 requirement in health insurance from now on.  

Lucky you for being in NY.  I would definitely make an appointment to meet Dr. Colvin and staff at NYU.

[NgottMV]

Thanks, thats good advice.  I was just thinking of calling my Insurance broker since my husband is self employed I have an HMO that is pretty restricted.  I believe it could be several hundred more a month to get the Point of Service plan in this circumstance its probably worth it.
how are you feeling did you have your surgery yet?
you can email me at ***@**** if you wish
Nancy

[Lindablu]

I had a mitral valve repair at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Cosgrove. I thought that he was excellent and the Cleveland Clinic was topnotch I would recommend that you look into going there.

I had Aetna US Healthcare and had no problems with it covering the surgery. I would check with your current health plan to determine what it will cover well before you need the surgery. You may be surprised that your current plan might not be as restrictive as you think.

I would ask your cardiologist how complicated the repair is and who he would recommend to do the operation. Best of luck!

[NgottMV]

I saw my cardiogist on Wednesday.  He still feels I should continue my medications and I will be getting a new echo cardiogram in January.  We will see how things stand then.
Meanwhile I feel ok.  Except for occasional fatigue I'm very active.  Its just a matter of time.

[JenniferO]

Linda, I would like to correspond with you via e-mail re the Cosgrove experience.  If this is okay, please send me a message at ***@****.

[LSM]

Lindablu,
I would also like to correspond with you regarding your valve repair at Cleveland Clinic.  I have an appt there on Nov. 5th and would like to ask you some additional questions.  Please send me your personal email address to ***@****.  Thanks!

Linda

[randykay]

I had a mitral valve repair at CCF in January 2000 by Dr. Cosgrove.  I feel great, and the staff at CCF is remarkable.  I would highly recomend the CCF for anyone contemplating valve surgery.

[DebbieM]

I too had mitral and tricuspid repair at CCF in Nov. 2000.  Everything went great and still is with the repair.  Dr. Sabik did my surgery.  I would recommend CCF.

[Sam64]

I am also a candidate for the mitral valve repair surgery. I am quite anxious about the procedure myself and the pain involved in post operation and also how long does it take to heal. Is it ok to email you regarding the procedure Lindablue? Thanks.
Sam

[NgottMV]

My doctor doesn't feel I need surgery at this time.
I am supposed to have an echo cardiogram every 6 months.
Any small change can warrant surgery.  He won't entertain me with where he would reccomend my surgery be done when that time comes he will discuss it.
Other than that I'm feeling pretty good.  I do get fatigured especially when being on my feet and running around shopping and stuff too much.  I'm also taking medications to slow the progression of the disease.

[Matt1819]

I would like to know how to ask a doctor a question using the Heart Forum. I'm new to this and would value the doctor's and reader's views.
Thanks
Bill

[quatroed]

I  too have MVP. Last year I  started getting palpitations and started a beta blocker. The beta blocker got rid of my palpitations but cause my blood pressure to go down and I feel short of breath. We cut the dose to 1/4 of the 25mg atenolol and was the perfect dose for me and able to resume my exercises. I would like to seek  another opinion from Cleveland Clinic.
Have you been there yet? Any recommendations for a cardiologist?
How long were you in the hospital for the surgery? And how soon are you able to return to work .
Thank you for your info. It would help me plan my future.
my email address is ***@****