Question about pre-op testing for mitral repair

[ocean12]

My doctor's office is setting up my appointments for blood donation, etc in preparation for my mitral valve repair. I was very surprised that he is not ordering a catheritization (angiogram) because of my age and the fact that I do not have any risk factors.  I am 42 years old.  My cholesterol is 237, HDL 106 (yes that is correct), LDL 118, Triglycerides 65.  No family history of heart disease.  I have a parent who had 6 bypasses, but  was in his 80's.

They insist that I do not need one done.  I thought it was routine for mitral valve surgery.  

What do you think?

[kenkeith]

An echo is usually adequate to view and make decisions with a thoracic echo, however, sometimes there is a problem for an echo beam  to travel through the front of the chest (e.g. obesity) so a TEE provides a clearer image of back structures such as the left atrium.

Are you suggesting a cath because of your lipid values?  I doubt if a cath would be helpful even if you had some buildup of plaque in your coronary arteries...it wouldn't change anything unless you have a serious condition that could impact the operation.

Thanks for your question.