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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Mitral Prolapse and Regurgitation
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Mitral Prolapse and Regurgitation
by Nathan-Jones, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Nathan Jones on June 08, 1998 at 16:19:18:
In Reply to: Mitral Prolapse and Regurgitation posted by REEMA on June 07, 1998 at 02:52:35:
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Mitral Valve regurgitation and have done follow up stress echo test about once each year. I am planning on Mitral Valve repair surgery this year.
I had many of your same questions and have come to the following answers for me.
Mitral Regurgitation has to be watched carefully as it may get worse over time. If left untreated, eventually the left ventricle will become enlarged and permanent heart damage will occur. If the regurgitation is minor it may not be a problem. The leakage is rated in numbers. 4+ is severe. 1 is minor. My regurgiation is 3+. If your regurgitation is mild it may never require additional treatment. If it is more severe, you will require surgery at some point. One of the great unanswered questions concerning treatment is when is surgery indicated. The doctors have differing views on the subject.
I read a number of studies on the topic and found out that within 10 years most patients either have corrective surgery or have died. This doesn't mean that the mitral regurgitation is fatal, it just that many people also have other problems and tend to deterioriate. The good news is that if surgery is required in the future, the prognosis is very good.
There are procedures to repair damaged valves which is preferred if possible. If valves can't be repaired there are pig valves and mechanical valves. The pig valves do not require blood thinners but they wear out after 10 years or so. Mechanical valves require blood thinners (coumadin). The coumadin caused birth defects in unborn children so the mechanical valves are generally not used in women of child bearing age.
You may want to look in this forum for specific questions and answers by physicians concerning the question of treamtment for Mitral Valve regurgitation. Also, many physicians prescribe ACE inhibitor drugs (such as Zestril) which helps to a degree.
If you would like information about any of the studies or other information. Pleas feel free to send an E-mail
In Reply to: Mitral Prolapse and Regurgitation posted by REEMA on June 07, 1998 at 02:52:35:
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Mitral Valve regurgitation and have done follow up stress echo test about once each year. I am planning on Mitral Valve repair surgery this year.
I had many of your same questions and have come to the following answers for me.
Mitral Regurgitation has to be watched carefully as it may get worse over time. If left untreated, eventually the left ventricle will become enlarged and permanent heart damage will occur. If the regurgitation is minor it may not be a problem. The leakage is rated in numbers. 4+ is severe. 1 is minor. My regurgiation is 3+. If your regurgitation is mild it may never require additional treatment. If it is more severe, you will require surgery at some point. One of the great unanswered questions concerning treatment is when is surgery indicated. The doctors have differing views on the subject.
I read a number of studies on the topic and found out that within 10 years most patients either have corrective surgery or have died. This doesn't mean that the mitral regurgitation is fatal, it just that many people also have other problems and tend to deterioriate. The good news is that if surgery is required in the future, the prognosis is very good.
There are procedures to repair damaged valves which is preferred if possible. If valves can't be repaired there are pig valves and mechanical valves. The pig valves do not require blood thinners but they wear out after 10 years or so. Mechanical valves require blood thinners (coumadin). The coumadin caused birth defects in unborn children so the mechanical valves are generally not used in women of child bearing age.
You may want to look in this forum for specific questions and answers by physicians concerning the question of treamtment for Mitral Valve regurgitation. Also, many physicians prescribe ACE inhibitor drugs (such as Zestril) which helps to a degree.
If you would like information about any of the studies or other information. Pleas feel free to send an E-mail
