Myxomatous Degeneration

I am a 71Yr female. Diagnosed with Heart murmer in my teens. In early 50's, diagosed with MVP w/ mild regurgitation.  In past 15 years symptons of SOB, orthostatic hypotention, weakness, fatigue, palpitions slowly increased.  A-Fib diagnosed on event monitor.  Now taking Atenelol, Verapamil, Bumex, (for edema of stomach & legs) asperin, Plavix, Prozac, Xanax.
If I had surgery to replace mitral valve, would myxomatous degeneration continue in other valves, chordae tendinae, mitral annalus, ect.?  
Am I correct in understanding myxatous degeneration is a process of aging that affects all collagen tissues in the body? (my face is sagging)
My activity is limited to housework, gardening, short walks when it isn't freezing.  I read a lot & I'm concerned that valve surgery might limit my mental abilities which to me are more important than my physical ones.
Would it make more sense NOT to have valve surgery, but to continue with slowing physical limitations?  Do the benefits of surgery really out-weigh the risks?
Thank you for your reply.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Eriewave,

Thank you for the questions.

From what information you have provided, I will assume that you now have significant mitral regurgitation, although you never stated this explicitly.

Given that you have had a murmur diagnosed 50-60 years ago, you most likely have mitral valve prolapse (MVP), which is myxomatous change specific to the mitral valve.  This disorder often leads to progressive deterioration of the valve with worsening regurgitation as a person ages.  The myxomatous change is not described as involving the other heart structures.

The decision to have surgery or not is a complex one, and depends on many things, which include your activity level, other medical problems, age, previous surgeries, degree of leakage of the valve,etc.

Talk to your doctor, and then get a second or even third opinion from reputable cardiologists.

Good luck.

[jan]

"This disorder often leads to progressive deterioration of the valve with worsening regurgitation as a person ages."
I was surprised to read this!  I thought the opposite was true.  

I have just recently been told I have mvp (which I knew for almost 4 yrs) with " a myxomatous appearing mitral valve".  "Thickening" was mentioned 4 yrs. ago and I think that is the same thing???   I am 46, now.

One dr. here mentioned getting periodic echos (recommended by my cardio, also), but when asked how often, the other cardio here said it wasn't necessary.  I have learned about the many opinions from cardios early on, but would like to know statistics on the myxomatous valve.  Do they really "most often lead to..."  I thought the prognosis was good.

Anybody else with a myxomatous mitral valve and changes experienced?

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Jan,

I think you have misread my statement, and I want it to be clear.  MVP is a common cause of MR, and MVP often (NOT most often) leads to degeneration of the mitral valve with subsequent MR.  Still, the majority of MVP patients will never experience an adverse event due to their MVP.

I've included a website that may give you more info on MVP.  I referenced this site on my 1/6/03 discussion.

http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/valvular

Hope that helps.

[jan]

Thank you for the clarification, it was very kind of you.

I will check out the source you provided.

jan

[Roid]

I was in a auto accident on 3/11/03 and just recently diagonised with Mitral Valve Polapse.  Could this be caused from a blunt chest trauma and if so, what questions should I ask my cardiologist?

[MsMartinez]

A related discussion, 3 Small Valve problems and everyone says I'm FINE was started.