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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Is healing possible?
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.
Rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Is healing possible?
by Muruga__0, Apr 30, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Muruga on April 30, 1999 at 10:50:22
My son who is six years old was diagnosed with rheumatic fever with moderate mitral regurtitation about one year ago. He is on vasotec now because his heart enlarged at 6 month follow up. I heard from his pediatrician that one of his friend had rheumatic fever with heart problems at age 14 and murmur disappeared after 26 years. My son's cardiologist said that 70% of folks with my son's stage of the disease may be free of disease in ten years. But when I got a second opinion from another cardiologist, he says the disappearance of the murmur is unlikely and he may need valve repair sometime. I would like to know your opinion and from people who have/had rheumatic heart disease.
Posted by christi on April 30, 1999 at 12:01:59
I'm 26 yrs old and recently found out i had rheumatic fever as an child. It was undiagnosed & untreated,,,They found it last year when I was pregnant with my twins,,my valve was closing and I couldn't breath,,,I was 24 wks pregnant and they couldn't do too much,,,but I got care flighted to Cleveland Clinic there they done the angioplasty,,,Now 8 months later I have to go in in about a week and a half and get my valve replaced...They told me my mitral valve was deterioated,,and they couldn't help with the repair,,,,
I wish u the best of luck,,,,This has opened my eyes and I will be keeping a very close eye on my kids,,,
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 30, 1999 at 16:21:01
Dear Christi,
Thank you for sharing your story. The procedure you received is called a valvuloplasty and is a temporary or "stop-gap" measure used for severe valvular stenosis (tightening) when surgery cannot be performed (i.e. during pregnancy, a very old person). A balloon is placed across the heart valve and inflated to open up the valve. The "fix" only last about 6 months to a year and then must be repeated or surgery performed.
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.
