Am I taking things too lightly?

[bvdr]

One more question for you. You said your chamber was 4.4. Which chamber are you referring to? If it is your left atrium then keep in mind that the larger it gets the more apt you are to go into atrial fib. That is what happened to me. 4.4 isn't enlarged much but enlargement does indicate the heart is reacting to stress. I too am a nurse and oftentimes am not sure if I am making too much of something or not taking something seriously enough. I think it just goes with the territory. It is hard to evaluate your own symptoms objectively.

 

[RCB]

One more question for you. You said your chamber was 4.4. Which chamber are you referring to? If it is your left atrium then keep in mind that the larger it gets the more apt you are to go into atrial fib. That is what happened to me. 4.4 isn't enlarged much but enlargement does indicate the heart is reacting to stress. I too am a nurse and oftentimes am not sure if I am making too much of something or not taking something seriously enough. I think it just goes with the territory. It is hard to evaluate your own symptoms objectively.

Betty,
I hope it is her LV, which is prone to enlargement with aortic problems.
If it is LA, then she has serious enlargement. 4.5 is the upper limit by which the most successful AF procedures are hopeless for SR.

 

[CathyK.]

bvdr,
Yes, it is my left atrium. I know what you mean about making something more than it is or maybe taking things too lightly when it comes to yourself. I do feel in my gut that I need to have this taken care of soon and not wait. I don't want more problems than I already have. Thanks for your concern! After talking with alot of you today, I feel I am finally talking to people that know what I am going through and how I am feeling. Thanks everyone!!

 

[lovejoy]

Hi and Welcome Cathy !
Just my 2 cents worth here. I had AVR 1 1/2 years ago at age 45. I too was a very active mom of 3, granny to 5. I went mechanical, because it offered the best chance at no re-op. The first 3 months the ticking just about drove me and my family nuts!! Until I realised if not for the ticking, I wouldn't be here. I have not had a problem with ACT. The only change I made was no more paintball wars !! Bruises do last a little longer, but I have always bruised so easily, its not an issue. And since I wan't willing to give up my greens, I just make sure to eat them often. The worst part of all of this for me, was when I fell 3 months ago and broke my hip, I had to lay in hospital for 3 days before they could operate. But better that than another OHS in a few years. I too am in Missouri and had my surgery in Springfield.
Good luck with your decision. If you ever get down around Branson, give me a call.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Cathy,

Do you have copies of ALL of your echo reports?

If not, I highly recommend that you obtain them.
Then chart and/or plot each parameter vs. time
to look for progression (enlargement).

I also recommend that you do a lot of reading in the Valve Selection Forum, Anti-Coagulation Forum, and AL Lodwick's anti-coagulation website www.warfarinfo.com

Finally, I think you might be interested in one of the Third Generation Valves (such as On-X, ATS, Sorin, St. Jude Regent) which have improved flow characteristics and are less inclined to produce Clots. Studies are underway to see if Lower Anticoagulation Levels and even Aspirin Only Therapy will suffice. The beauty is that these valves are available NOW. I particularly like the On-X Valve.

FWIW, my first choice was for a Bovine Pericardial Aortic Valve but because of Radiation Damage, I was given a St. Jude (standard) mechanical valve. Knowing what I know now, I would have requested an On-X valve as my second choice (or first!).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bvdr]

Cathy, I forgot to mention that I too had radiation treatments to my chest when I was a teenager. My main issue is the rheumatic heart disease but the radiation may also play a part. There are many of us with a combination of circumstances that brought us to this place.

On one of the posts I think I noted someone using the "transplant" word in reference to one of the referred surgeons. This week I ran into a business acquaintance that had a heart transplant a good 5 or more years ago. Before his surgery he was that chalky gray color of poor circulation/oxygenation but ever since he is rosy. He has always said that he looks at it as a good thing. The disease that brought him to that point was the villian. I feel that way about my mechanical heart valve too. The disease was the problem...the opportunity of getting the valve was a very good thing.

As far as your left atrium size. At the time of valve replacement mine was somewhere between 5.5 and 6.0. My surgeon said he thought it may have passed the point of no return as far sinus rhythm was concerned. Even though the size has now come down to 4.5 I still spend periods of time in AF. It is a real consideration for you. If you are going to end up in atrial fib and on warfarin because of it then you loose any advantage of having a bio-valve.

 

[CathyK.]

Thanks to everyone. Alot to think about!! I have an appointment with my cardio on Oct. 6th and will decide on a surgery date then! I am glad you all are here!!

Cathy