After Mitral Valve repair

[bouteloa]

I have had one echocardiogram one month after a complex and lengthy mitral valve repair 15 months ago.

Since then, I have not had one and am curious and worried how my heart is doing and how dimensions have changed. I am hoping that my enlarged heart has "remodeled" itself.

I changed cardiologists about 6 months ago because it took 8 days for them to call me back about a bad tooth abscess/infection. (By the way, I eventually found out this is something that we folks with compromised hearts should be VERY careful about).

After valve surgery, did you have echocardiograms? and if so, how often?

Thanks.

 

[geebee]

I had echos every 3 months for the first year after surgery. Then it went to every 6 months for a couple of years, then once a year. I am now at an echo every 2 years unless I develop some type of problem.

 

[kckbxr910]

I'm glad you asked this question, i'm only a few weeks out of my surgery, and I was wondering about that as well. Sorry I can't add anything useful though.

 

[tobagotwo]

If you had an echo a month after surgery, you should have at least had another echo a year after that one. Six months would have been more normal, though with another a year following that.

Approach your cardiologist about getting another echo now. Most insurances are fine with one echo per year after OHS.

Best wishes,

 

[joanne6]

Echo

Echo

I had problems after surgery so I had one a week after surgery and then again 2 months later. I am scheduled for my next echo in July which will be 11 months after my surgery.
Hope this helps.

 

[jrocco]

Lets see, I had surgery Jan 31 2005 and had an echo in May and then again in November. The November echo was supposed to be done in Jan 2006, but I asked the cardio of I could move it up and do it in 2005 because of the insurence deductable and he said fine and did it in Nov.

I have another one coming up in May 2006.

 

[MitralMan]

I had an echo six months post-mitral valve repair...

I had an echo six months post-mitral valve repair...

...and am scheduled for another one at 18 months.

I had no complications of which I'm aware.

I count myself as incredibly fortunate.