swelling in left ankle/foot?

[jandrew007]

I have swelling and pain in my left ankle and foot.  I have been diagnosed with Aortic insufficiency and am not sure if this is conncected.  PLEASE HELP!

[Momto3]

There is a great website for "valvers."  Check out valvereplacement.com.  You'll be welcomed and surrounded by information and support.  

[jandrew007]

Hi,

Thanks for your responses.  I was diagnosed 3.5yrs ago and had an echo and MRI done.  I recently had another echo done and m doc. says time for another MRI.  He said he is worried that my left ventricle is enlarging but more worried about aortic root anyerism.  I am scared out of my mind.  I have the MRI done just after begining of year cause my high deductabel insurance plan re-sets at beginning of year so if I need surgery then my $2500 Cardiac MRI  will go towards my deductable.

I called my cardiologist last night when swelling was occuring and she said that prob. not related to heart and that I should prob. have ultrasound done to see if clot was in leg.  I am going to follow up with them this week.  Anyone have experience with valve replacement and surgery for aortic root anyerism?

[Thinline]

Sounds like you need a doppler test - that's an ultra-sound on the veins and arteries - totally painless, so they can track the vessels.  Also probably a contrast chest CT which is also more or less painless.  It gives you a very strange feeling cause they inject dye into you and the dye makes you HOT HOT HOT like you have just fallen into a volcano, it also makes you feel like you are going to wee. The techs do tell you this beforehand but its somthing to be aware of.  Once the heat passes so does the need to wee.  It's very odd but not bad and is over quickly.  I assume you have had an echo done?  That was probably the first step.  Perhaps a final option would be a TEE - I'm not even going into an explaination on this one somone who slept through it should tell you.  I was awake and I am not even going to think of it.

[Momto3]

It could be connected.  If your valve is not functioning properly, it MAY be the cause of the swelling.  Be sure to get it checked out.  Any idea how severe the valve leak is?  Were you recently told about the insufficiency?