Valve Problems

I was dx with Id. DCM in 1996.  At that time my LV was moderately dilated.  I also took Fen-Phen prior to my diagnosis.  I stopped taking the Fen-Phen when I experieced shortness of breath walking up steps.  My most recent echo shows that I have a "mild to moderate regurgitation" in my aortic valve and the other three have "mild regurgitation". In the general population, how common is it to find mild regurgitation?  My heart is "top size normal" now. I am a 47 y/o female.  Also, what are the chances that I will need to have my aortic valve replaced?  Thank you so much.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Bonnie,
Your aortic regurgitation is most likely due to the dilation of your left ventricle.  AS the ventricle enlarges the valve can be stretched and begin to have some leaking.  It is usually mitral regurgitation associated with Fen-Phen.  The rate of mild regurgitation in the general poplutation is low (<10%) and mild-moderate even less.  It's hard to say if you will ever need the valve replaced but you will need close follow-up.  Your doctor will probably want to check yearly echos or perhaps every 6 months.  Best wishes.

[Mike501]

Hello !
I would like to comment on that since I also have regurgitation
in two of my valves .I had several echos and frankly speaking
according to one ultrasound result they are minimal according to one description bsed on another echo they are  mild in the level of regurgitation ?!.
I would like to know if anyone has a "standard" range for the E/A (early ventricular to atrial ratio describing the regurgitant flow )parameter as I believe that it should fall in the range of the following four "values":

NONE ,MINIMAL ,MILD ,MODERATE ,SEVERE.
The above have to fit into the range that seems to be from 0 to 4 for the E/A parameter which is one of few was of measuring the ammount of regurgitation.

So after simple mathematical calculation the values should be  
MINIMAL         0-1
MILD            1-2
MODERATE        2-3
SEVERE          3-4

Is there anyone who could comment on this ?

[Ben, Ohio]

I just had the Ross Procedure done at CCF on 8-8-00 and I was diagnosed by them with an aortic regurgitation of 3+ to 4. ( That is until the cath. and it was changed to "extreme 4+")
The way they measure regurgitation is on a scale from 1 to 4+. 1 is low regurgitation. They told me that just about everyone out there has  a mild regurgitation, but not enough to register on the scale.
What you need to find out from your cardio is, the number value for your leakage rate.
Feel free to e-mail me directly if you would like someone to talk to that has been through this. ***@****

Ben SMith

[SP]

I just found out that I have regurg in all valves--they say it is physiologic --maning as close to normal.  Are any folks taking antibiotics for this minimal/trace regurg??