1-Year Post Op - Should I Request Echo?

[Rush20]

I'm about 13 months post operation for my AVR. I have a St. Jude Mechanical and I have been weaned off all my post-operative medication (Beta blockers, channel blockers, Toprol XL, etc.) and have been pretty consistent at 5MG of Coumadin per day.

Last week I met with my Cardiologist. I had seen him one month earlier when he had agreed to take me off the final 12mg of Toprol. I wore a 24-hour halter monitor 3 weeks later and the results came back positive, meaning I had a steady heart rhythm and no need for further medication.

OK, so this should all be good news right? My concern is that although my cardiologist has a reputation of being ultra conservative in his diagnosis, etc., I thought he would request an echo be done just to "be sure" everything is fine.

Believe me, I'm not complaining, however prior to my diagnosis last year I had none of the typical symptoms; i.e. chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc. so I guess I can't shake the pessimisim.

Am I over reacting? I feel very good, however I thought I felt pretty good last year and look what happened.

Thoughts?

 

[BillCobit]

Hi Allen

Seems to me you'd want an echo to see if any regurg has developed, if you've had favorable or unfavorable changes in heart dimensions, etc. Otherwise, your doc relies on stuff like BP, HR, sounds as heard through stethoscope - not very conclusive.

My doc does an echo each year just to make sure heart dimensions are normal and that the valve repair job is holding up.

Just one guy's opinion - let's see what other think.

Hope all's well w/ you!

 

[JimL]

When I had my one year check-up and the card told me everything was fine, I was floating on air, and wouldn't have cared whatever else he said. Congratulations on your good checkup!

Did you ask your card about an echo?

I've had an echo annually since surgery, and expect to have another this fall, although I haven't gotten together with my new card yet. Many have them annually, or even semi-annually. Maybe I'm ready to go to biannual.

 

[Creed3]

Hi!

Hi!

I think a lot of people here get an echo annually. I asked the very same questions after my surgery. I had an echo a few weeks post op and then another one a year later. After that my cardio and internist both said there would be no need for more echos unless something were to occur to warrant one. Both my docs felt they would be able to tell any slight differences by listening. They told me there would be a definite change in the sound of my heart and murmur. I was a little skeptical at first, but have talked with other docs who agreed. My cardio likes to see me once a year but my internist likes to see me once every six months. I think everyone's situation is different and the docs take different things into consideration when making the annual echo decision. It can't hurt to ask about having one if it will make you feel better.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[ALCapshaw2]

When was your LAST echo?

If you had one at 6 months, then most likely your cardio won't want another until 18 months, etc.

If your last echo was shortly after your surgery with none since, then yes, it would be a good idea to request one.

'AL'

 

[MarkU]

I had developed some left ventricular hypertrophy prior to my surgery, which was a concern to me. At my first annual post-op check my echo showed the LVH had improved and was less than the percentage of error of the echo. Based on those results, my cardiologist decided that I could go two years between echos.

Mark

 

[bvdr]

I too had a couple of echocardiograms in the first 6 months. My next scheduled on is in March which will be one year since my last one. If I hadn't had one six months ago I would have requested one at my last visit. I think it is important to establish what is the "new" normal for you. Call his/her office if you haven't had one since early post-op and say, "you know, I've been thinking....."

 

[Rush20]

Thanks for the responses. My last echo was done pre-surgery last year after the murmur was initially discovered. No echo since surgery 8/29/04. If what I have read about the accuracy of simply listening to the heart beat, then I am OK with their decision.

My next cardiologist appointment is in early 05'. I'll ask then.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

WHAT ?

NO post surgery echo to make sure everything is OK?

I find that incredible. I had an echo before leaving the hospital, I 'think' I had another shortly after at my cardiologist's office, and definitely another at 6 months, followed by annual echos since then.

If I were in your shoes, I would call the Cardiologist's office, tell them you have NOT had an echo since before your surgery and NONE after and are 'wondering' if you should have one, preferably sometime soon.

'AL'

 

[Rush20]

One thing to point out, although I have never had a second echo performed since my diagnosis/surgery, I did have a stress test and then a myoview (sp?) stress test 10 weeks post-op that traced some dye through my system. Not sure if that is more accurate than an echo.

 

[McCln]

My cardio works in the echo once a year also. Till my weight issue is better, I get a check up every six months. If you feel alright, don't worry. But if you are worried any, talk to cardio. Good luck. You are doing great, at one year. Congrats. Take care.