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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
To Operate or Not?
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.
To Operate or Not?
by RetiredJim, May 20, 2004 12:00AM
How is the descision made in the case of aortic stenosis whether to operate and install a new valve or not? I have had two echos done in the past two months because my family doctor wanted to check out a heart murmur. The cardiologist that my family doctor refered me to says I should have heart surgey. The only "sympton" I present is shortness of breath when doing certain strenous work. True, I used to be able to do this work without too much trouble but I am 62 now and not 35. No other symptons. I've had this heart murmur for at least 20 years.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, May 22, 2004 12:00AM
RetiredJim,
Thanks for the post.
Q:"How is the descision made in the case of aortic stenosis whether to operate and install a new valve or not?"
Mostly based on symptoms. Persons with heart failure, syncope, shortness of breath, cheat pain, plus some others are generally considered for surgery if the aortic valve is seriously stenosed.
In persons whom we are uncertain if they have symptoms, we will sometimes do an exercise test on a treadmill to try to demonstrate symptoms.
Please note that aortic stenosis is often a progressive disease -- many persons have had a murmur for 10-30 years before surgery is needed.
Check out the ACC guidelines:
http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/valvular/jac5929fla16.htm#A6a
Best of luck.
Thanks for the post.
Q:"How is the descision made in the case of aortic stenosis whether to operate and install a new valve or not?"
Mostly based on symptoms. Persons with heart failure, syncope, shortness of breath, cheat pain, plus some others are generally considered for surgery if the aortic valve is seriously stenosed.
In persons whom we are uncertain if they have symptoms, we will sometimes do an exercise test on a treadmill to try to demonstrate symptoms.
Please note that aortic stenosis is often a progressive disease -- many persons have had a murmur for 10-30 years before surgery is needed.
Check out the ACC guidelines:
http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/valvular/jac5929fla16.htm#A6a
Best of luck.
Glenn