Re: Mirtro and Aortic Valve Prolapse

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on September 09, 1998 at 13:32:59:

In Reply to: Mirtro and Aortic Valve Prolapse posted by LoriT on September 09, 1998 at 09:50:22:






: Dear Doctor,
I have been recently diagnosed with MVP and possibly Aortic Valve
: Prolapse.  I went to one doctor who performed an Echo and said that
: I have a slight thickening in both valves and possible prolapsing of
: both valve with trace regurgitation in the mitro valve.  I went for
: a second opinion and the second doctor told me that all I have is
: slight MVP.  He said that he never heard of the term Aortic Valve
: Prolapse and that he did not see any thickening of the Aortic Valve.
: I am now questioning who is correct.  I have shortness of breath and
: palpitations.  During the night I wake up with shortness of breath and
: slight feeling of numbness in my left arm.  I have just weaned myself off
: of Xanix for anxiety, and the doctor is blaming my symptoms on that.  I have
: what is call parastesia sometimes (numbness around my mouth).  I have
: a very stressful life and am trying to cope with many things at the
: same time.  Needless to say I do have much anxiety.  I know that MVP is
: quite common, but I am concerned about the Aortic Valve.  I cannot have any
: caffeine or alcohol - this just increases the palpitations.  I am not sure
: if I should go for a third opinion.  Could you please shed some light on
: this.  The first doctor never even called me back to give me my results.
: He told me my racing heart (sometimes goes up to 130 beats per minute or more)
: was just my own doing from anxiety.  It was not until I went to the
: second doctor that I had the results forwarded I found out about the
: Mitro Valve and the Aortic Valve.  The second doctor says he does not
: want to see the films from the first Echo that it is just a matter of
: interpretation of the films.  What should I do ?  Any information would be
: appreciated.  Thanks so much.  
Lori
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Dear Lori
Mitral valve prolapse is a commonly diagnosed syndrome. In fact, the aortic valves can also prolapse. The important question is if the valves leak at all. From what you have written, this does not appear to be the case. If the valves are not leaking, then it is unlikely that your symptoms have to do with your heart valves. As far as the rapid heart rate, a Holter monitor (portable EKG) would answer the question of whether you are having abnormal heart beats or not.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).
Dear Doctor
Thank you for the information.  I just wanted to ask you about trace regurgitation.  The doctor
had said that one (mitro valve) is leaking slightly.  Would this be considered leaking and then
could this be the cause of some of these symptoms ?  Also,  if the aortic valve is prolapsing
and not leaking is this in itself dangerous ?  What could be some of the causes
for the prolapsing of both valves.  I have dry eyes, mouth and nose.  The rhematologist
says I do not have what they call true Sjorgens but just symptoms like it.  I have
been tested for Lupus and I believe Sclerderma (just from a blook test).  I am
starting to worry that the thickening and prolapsing of the valves has something to
do with the Sjorgens.  What is your opinion on that.  I am about to go to the
Rhuematologist again and let him know of the MVP and aortic valve.  I have been
told by my GP that I am making to much of this and if I really had Sjorgens I
would have known it.  Could you once again please shed some light on the subject.
Is there anything that I should be prepared to ask the doctor.
Once again thank you so much.
Lori
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Dear Lori
In the grading system for regurgitation, trace means barely any at all - it should be of no significance to how you feel.
If the aortic valve is prolapsing, but not leaking, this should not cause symptoms. You should follow-up every year or so to make sure problems don't develop with the valves, if they are really prolapsing.
Sjogren's rarely affects the heart. It can cause little masses on the valves, which you did not have.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).