Leaflet Valve measurement

[Neil22]

Hi,

The VA has diagnosed me with Mitral Valve Prolapse. The report states I have an enlarged leaflet valve. I've been in the hiring proccess of a major employer for some time now, but the medical department needs to know the thickness of my leaflet valve in mm, but the echotechs at the VA have no clue how to measure my valve. I was told that the New England Jounal of Medicine explains how this is done, but I can't find this online anywhere. I think it's referenced in Nov or Oct of 1989. Not sure of the paragraph. Anyone with any ideas?.

Thanks

[maggiemag]

Neil, I know that what's you meant.  But how they read echos when they wrote that article, 1989, has changed a lot, so I would think the techniques described there may not be the same ones used today.

[Neil22]

What I meant by, " I think it's referenced in Nov or Oct of 1989." is that the New England Journal of Medicine states how to measure a leaflet valve in the journal that was printed in 1989. That's not the year I had an echo done. I had it done early this year.

The doctors at the VA didn't say how severe my MVP is. They give you a 20min limit in their office. I should see a privat doc.

[maggiemag]

I personally think that techniques have improved a lot since 1989!  Maybe the VA techs can find a recent textbook to find out how, or maybe one of their supervisors could tell them.  Did anyone tell you how severe your prolapse is?  The report should say it, and I would think that your prospective employer could go by that.  If not, perhaps they are being a tad picky?  Or you are a VIP!