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Mitral valve replacement!
In Sept. 2007 I had my regular annual check-up (Echo, stress ECG) and MVP was still there, with mild regurg.
For the past 2 months I have been having Palpitations, feeling short of breath, chest pains (sometimes in the center of the chest and sometimes underneath my left breast) and severe muscle weakness with exertion.
Had Echo done yesterday and my mild regurg changed into a SEVERE regurg and Cardio called in the help of the Thoracic Surgeon and I have to go see Surgeon on 18/03 to discuss possible replacement! They can't fix the valve because the valve is not abnormal, just incompetent and leaking severely. I don't have signs of CHF yet and no heart-enlargement.
I am still in shock and don't know what to do! Should I get my valve replaced? I still have PVC's and PAC's and Cardio prescribed Condorol (calcium blockers). Is there nothing that I can do to prevent op?
For the past 2 months I have been having Palpitations, feeling short of breath, chest pains (sometimes in the center of the chest and sometimes underneath my left breast) and severe muscle weakness with exertion.
Had Echo done yesterday and my mild regurg changed into a SEVERE regurg and Cardio called in the help of the Thoracic Surgeon and I have to go see Surgeon on 18/03 to discuss possible replacement! They can't fix the valve because the valve is not abnormal, just incompetent and leaking severely. I don't have signs of CHF yet and no heart-enlargement.
I am still in shock and don't know what to do! Should I get my valve replaced? I still have PVC's and PAC's and Cardio prescribed Condorol (calcium blockers). Is there nothing that I can do to prevent op?
Smiley,
Sounds like your doctor is a good cardio! He is right about having the valve replaced BEFORE you have any changes in your heart's size and/or function. You may be interested in reading the "practice guideline" for patients with valvular disease. It is from the American College of Cardiology and is very imformative. The guidelines lay out the accepted practice for handling patients with valvular disease. I would think that the guidelines in S.A. are very similar, if not identical.
http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/48/3/e1
Connie
Sounds like your doctor is a good cardio! He is right about having the valve replaced BEFORE you have any changes in your heart's size and/or function. You may be interested in reading the "practice guideline" for patients with valvular disease. It is from the American College of Cardiology and is very imformative. The guidelines lay out the accepted practice for handling patients with valvular disease. I would think that the guidelines in S.A. are very similar, if not identical.
http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/48/3/e1
Connie
I just remembered something Cardio said: my LV size: 46mm. According to "guidelines for valve replacement" anything bigger than 45mm LV. I don't know what my EF is. Will ask Surgeon that when I see him Tuesday.
Ever since they discovered I have MVP in Dec. 2006 (Atrial fib) I had 6-monthly follow-ups. This was my 6-monthly checkup. Last one was Sept. 2007, before I had Ablation done. Cardio did stress test (that is what I call a stress ECG). I became out of breath within the first minute of walking an easy pace on the treatmill and had palpitations, drop in BP and dizzy. ECG picked up irregular beats/extra ventricular systoles.
Cardio thinks it is time for surgery, that is why he called the Thoracic Surgeon. He never spoke to me about possible surgery before. Cardio is a very bombastic person and very direct. He explained to me that I still have a choice because I don't have an enlarged heart or CHF yet, but that he is shocked to see how sick the valve got during the past 6 months and that I am going to have to go for surgery at some stage in anyway because valve is deteriorating fast.
Cardio thinks it is time for surgery, that is why he called the Thoracic Surgeon. He never spoke to me about possible surgery before. Cardio is a very bombastic person and very direct. He explained to me that I still have a choice because I don't have an enlarged heart or CHF yet, but that he is shocked to see how sick the valve got during the past 6 months and that I am going to have to go for surgery at some stage in anyway because valve is deteriorating fast.
Smiley,
It does sound like you may be symptomatic because of the change in the MR. What does your doctor think? Did you have a stress test or a stress echo? I saw where you had a stress EKG, but I'm not sure I know what that is. With mild MR, I think most patients are followed annually. Was the follow up appointment because you have been symptomatic? Thank goodness you had an updated echo! If there truly is severe valve leakage, you may be better off with surgery. Does your cardio think surgery is the likely answer?
It does sound like you may be symptomatic because of the change in the MR. What does your doctor think? Did you have a stress test or a stress echo? I saw where you had a stress EKG, but I'm not sure I know what that is. With mild MR, I think most patients are followed annually. Was the follow up appointment because you have been symptomatic? Thank goodness you had an updated echo! If there truly is severe valve leakage, you may be better off with surgery. Does your cardio think surgery is the likely answer?
They didn't say anything about doing a TEE. I had a TEE in July 2007, but that was to check the valves for infective endocarditis. do you think I should insist on having a TEE done before they decide to operate?
the only problem is: something IS wrong. I am completely out of breath if I walk short distances (have been walking the same amount for the past 7 months) and I can't exercise anymore. My muscles get so weak that I actually feel like collapsing! I am tired, all the time (not sleepy) just don't have any energy and I don't feel well. I take multi-vitamins and eat a low GI diet and do everything right, but I just don't feel well.
Sometimes the op seems like a good option IF someone can guarantee me that I'll feel better afterwards.
the only problem is: something IS wrong. I am completely out of breath if I walk short distances (have been walking the same amount for the past 7 months) and I can't exercise anymore. My muscles get so weak that I actually feel like collapsing! I am tired, all the time (not sleepy) just don't have any energy and I don't feel well. I take multi-vitamins and eat a low GI diet and do everything right, but I just don't feel well.
Sometimes the op seems like a good option IF someone can guarantee me that I'll feel better afterwards.
Hi Smiley,
It is possible that your valve stage will remain the same for years. However, to the best of my knowledge, the valve regurgitation will not improve. Importantly, it is possible that the echo is not entirely accurate. I had an echo several years ago (2000) and was also told the MR was "severe" and it was time for surgery. I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic and had a TEE. That test proved the valve was at 2 - 3+ regurg. Apparently, there is an "eccentric jet" but the leak is not severe. For now, the MR remains unchanged. I've been watched for close to 30 years, but I don't know is how long it is actually been 2 - 3+. Prior to 2000, I didn't pay much attention to the tests, numbers, etc. I just went for the exams and was always told, "see you next year." For the past 7 years, I have had bi-annual check ups. Because things are stable, my next appointment will be about 10 months from the last. In the meantime, I'm supposed to let the doctors know if I notice any changes before the appointment.
Are you scheduled for a TEE?
It is possible that your valve stage will remain the same for years. However, to the best of my knowledge, the valve regurgitation will not improve. Importantly, it is possible that the echo is not entirely accurate. I had an echo several years ago (2000) and was also told the MR was "severe" and it was time for surgery. I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic and had a TEE. That test proved the valve was at 2 - 3+ regurg. Apparently, there is an "eccentric jet" but the leak is not severe. For now, the MR remains unchanged. I've been watched for close to 30 years, but I don't know is how long it is actually been 2 - 3+. Prior to 2000, I didn't pay much attention to the tests, numbers, etc. I just went for the exams and was always told, "see you next year." For the past 7 years, I have had bi-annual check ups. Because things are stable, my next appointment will be about 10 months from the last. In the meantime, I'm supposed to let the doctors know if I notice any changes before the appointment.
Are you scheduled for a TEE?
If my valve is now on the "severe" regurg stage, will it stay like that for a few years and maybe get better or should I have the valve replaced?
I know that you are on the "moderate to severe" stage, but have your valve deteriorated or is it just staying on that stage now? do you have any symptoms?
I know that you are on the "moderate to severe" stage, but have your valve deteriorated or is it just staying on that stage now? do you have any symptoms?
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