Re: Mitral Valve Repair and Echocardiograms.

[Sandi__0__0]

Posted By Sandi on April 15, 1999 at 21:16:07
I had a mv repair three years ago.  How long can I expect It to last.  If it gets "leaky" again, how is the repair fixed. What kinds of problems can arise from repairs. I am in good health, other than severe dilated cardiomyopathy.  I excercise regularly, try to eat right, and take my medications as prescribed,and work part-time. My EF is 20-25%.  I hoped I would feel better than this after the surgery. Is there any way I can increase my EF. In the morning, I feel pretty good, by afternoon I am ready to crash...daily.  Would the time of day I have an echocardiogram have an effect on the results.  What kinds of things affect echos good or bad?  Thanks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 16, 1999 at 10:44:30

Dear Sandi,
Wow, that's a lot of questions packed into one paragraph. Of course your doctor will be better able to give you specifics but in general a MV repair will last for quite a while.  I suspect your fatigue is due primarily to the heart failure.  The time of day will not effect the echo.  Heart failure is a serious condition and you should be seeing a doctor with expertise in this area.  Proper treatment may improve the EF but in many people it is not able to be improved.  In the worst cases a heart transplant may be necessary.  What medication are you taking?  How old are you?
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Sandi__0__0]

Posted By Sandi on April 16, 1999 at 16:26:52
Thank you for your response. I am 43 year old woman taking Zestril 10mg daily, lasix 20mg most days, lanoxin 0.125mg daily.  I can do most of what I want to do if I plan carefully.  I always have to plan downtime.  Sometimes the downtime is longer than the activity.  My last echo was showed some worsening of the reguritation.  It was done in the afternoon. My cardiologist said I may need the repair fixed down the road or something like that.  I wasn't expecting to hear bad news.  I know I have a few years until I need a new heart.  I always have questions for my doc when I am there and think of many more when I go home.      

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 16, 1999 at 16:58:01

Thanks for the additional information.  You may be a good candidate for the addition of beta-blockers, ask your doctor next time you see him.  In addition you are in the age group where a heart transplant would be seriously considered should your condition worsen.  Where do you live? You may want to consider being seen at the Cleveland Clinic heart failure center for an evaluation.  
CRC

[ernie-argyros]

Posted By ernie argyros on April 19, 1999 at 11:34:49
I have been diagnosed as having the above problem and they recomend an angiogram catherization and then a follow up repair of the mitral valve or replacement and the echocardio gram showed too large amount of regurgutation I felt quite sick at the time of the echo,would that tend to over do the effect ofdf the test,also I was on 25mg of atenolol and was changed to 12 1/2 mg pluszesteril I believe, but all in all I am inclined to seek a second opinion and would like to possible have one at the cleveland clinic, your suggestion and procedure would be appreciated .   Ernie

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 19, 1999 at 13:31:17

Dear Ernie,
We see a large number of patients with this problem and would be happy to see you here.  In addition if you do need surgical repair Dr. Cosgrove is one of the best surgeons in the country for mitral valve repair.  To  make an appointment call the number below and ask to see one of the echo doctors at F15.  I would suggest Dr. Steward or Dr. Griffin.  Be sure to bring copies of all of your records.  Best wishes.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.










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