Mitral valve leak

[Dave63]

I've been diagnosted with a moderate to sever mitral valve leak. The doctor estimates that 30% of the blood is returing back into the the heart.  I have no symptions of problems like being short of breath or being tired.  I have a TEE scheduled this week and will know more after I get the results.   The is no enlargement of any part of the heart right now.  What is the risk of putting off surgery if I have it checked every 6 months?

[ed34]

Hi
   In many cases, the jump from moderate to severe is quite rapid, and once severe the heart starts to enlarge. As you know, the Mitral valve sits between your left Atrium and Ventricle, and both of these will enlarge. When this occurs, the orifice where the valve sits is out of shape, make replacement or repair more unsuccessful. As the heart returns to normal size, the valve again is forced out of shape, meaning it doesn't close properly. The key is to get the valve sorted before this happens.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there Dave,

The TEE is a very good way of checking the valve and overall heart out.  It is good news that you are asymptomatic at this stage, but you will become a surgical candidate as soon as your heart function (EF) deteriorates and chambers enlarge or if you become severely short of breath and show signs of heart failure.

Did you have Rheumatic fever earlier in your life?  Endocarditis?  or Congenital defect?

I had a mitral valve repair 4 years ago due to Congenital defect (abnormal segments) but my EF was 35%, Pulmonary hypertention, heart enlargement, heart failure and very symptomatic.

Life with a fixed/replaced valve is now sooooooooo much better and because I had it done before there were permanent damage, I have a good result and a long life ahead of me :)

So the idea is to have the surgery before permanent damage occurs.

Please let us know about the TEE results.  All the best for the upcoming test.