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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Transesophageal Echocardiogram and Mitral Valve Repair
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Transesophageal Echocardiogram and Mitral Valve Repair
by Joe__0__0, Nov 21, 1998 12:00AM
Dear Sir,
My wife was diagnosed with MVP in 1974. She recently had an echocardiogram
and was told she needed to have an Transesophageal Echocardiogram due
to the amount of regurgatation. Although my wife has no symptoms, she was
told she may need to have her Mitral Valve repaired. Our Cardiologist since
1974 recommended we use the Cleveland Clinic for the surgery if needed.
My questions are:
1. If my wife does need surgery, will the results of the test done by our
Cardiologist suffice, or will she need to do it again before surgery.
2. Could you please explain the test procedure and risks.
3. If surgery is needed, how long is the stay in the hospital and will we
be able to take a flight home when discharged.
4. If possible,could you tell me how long does it take to get back on your
feet after MVP repair and how is your quality of life affected.
Thank You
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Joe
1. If you bring the tape of the TEE (transesophageal echo) with you if you come here, if it is satisfactory, we will not repeat it. If there is any question in our minds regarding whether surgery is really necessary, we will repeat it.
2. The test involves the cardiologist passing a thin tube through the mouth down the throat and taking pictures of the heart. Your wife’s throat will be sprayed with a substance to keep her from gagging. She will probably also be given intravenous sedation, though she will not be completely asleep. The risks from a TEE are very rare. If too much sedation is used, she could need treatment to support her breathing. Very rarely, the TEE tube can poke a hole in the throat; typically, this only occurs in people with esophageal diseases.
3. The average stay is 4 to 10 days. She will be able to fly back.
4. Six weeks is the usual time to complete recovery. I doubt the surgery will make her feel better, as you write that she has no symptoms to begin with. The idea behind doing the surgery now is probably to prevent her heart from suffering any irreversible damage.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
My wife was diagnosed with MVP in 1974. She recently had an echocardiogram
and was told she needed to have an Transesophageal Echocardiogram due
to the amount of regurgatation. Although my wife has no symptoms, she was
told she may need to have her Mitral Valve repaired. Our Cardiologist since
1974 recommended we use the Cleveland Clinic for the surgery if needed.
My questions are:
1. If my wife does need surgery, will the results of the test done by our
Cardiologist suffice, or will she need to do it again before surgery.
2. Could you please explain the test procedure and risks.
3. If surgery is needed, how long is the stay in the hospital and will we
be able to take a flight home when discharged.
4. If possible,could you tell me how long does it take to get back on your
feet after MVP repair and how is your quality of life affected.
Thank You
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Joe
1. If you bring the tape of the TEE (transesophageal echo) with you if you come here, if it is satisfactory, we will not repeat it. If there is any question in our minds regarding whether surgery is really necessary, we will repeat it.
2. The test involves the cardiologist passing a thin tube through the mouth down the throat and taking pictures of the heart. Your wife’s throat will be sprayed with a substance to keep her from gagging. She will probably also be given intravenous sedation, though she will not be completely asleep. The risks from a TEE are very rare. If too much sedation is used, she could need treatment to support her breathing. Very rarely, the TEE tube can poke a hole in the throat; typically, this only occurs in people with esophageal diseases.
3. The average stay is 4 to 10 days. She will be able to fly back.
4. Six weeks is the usual time to complete recovery. I doubt the surgery will make her feel better, as you write that she has no symptoms to begin with. The idea behind doing the surgery now is probably to prevent her heart from suffering any irreversible damage.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
