echocardiograms

[Birky]

I had received a note form the Cardiologist's nurse and she advised me that I did not need another echo done in the near future. The last one I had was when I was in the hospital after the surgery. I have had him for 15 years and he has been great but everyone else seems to be having them on an annual basis or semi-annually. I guess I am getting paranoid that something will happen to the valve. I have none of the symptoms I had prior to the surgery so it must be working okay. Do you all have them every year?

 

[Ross]

I get one every year now. Some Cardiologists like to have them done every 6 months. The purpose, from what I understand, is to make sure the valve is still well seated and that there is no clot formation or other vegetation on the valve.

 

[Nancy]

I think echoes should be done at least every year and for a lot of people, every 6 months. Echoes aren't the most reliable things. So much depends on the technician and also on what the doctor has asked to see. Even so, they can be inaccurate, but they are the least invasive thing that shows the most.

Is it possible that your insurance is dictating whether you should have one or not? Bean counters rather than doctors take care of us now.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Marcia

The first year post op Tyce had 3 echos....one 2 or three days post op, the second six months later, and the third six months after that. This year he had one six months after the third and then our cardio said he could go to annuals. I certainly recommend annuals-- preventative is better than not.

Hope it helps.

Evelyn

 

[Birky]

echos

echos

Our insurance doesn't have any stipulations. I had 3 vascular tests on my legs last year and they paid it. It is the cardio's decision. I think I will push for one when I see him at the end of the year. I feel fine but want to make sure there is no clots or vegetation. The vegetation on my valve was not seen by the echo come to think of it. It is kind of scary having mechanical parts. Thanks to all,

 

[medtronic of borg]

timing of echos

timing of echos

try meeting him half way.
Med

 

[Rush20]

I've read the term "vegitation" around the valve. What does that mean? My 6-month anniversary of my surgery is approaching and I wonder whether or not my cardio will request a cardio as well. My next appointment with him is in mid-March.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Rush20-

If I were you, I'd want a thorough explanation from the cardiologist about the "vegetation" that was found. That's not something you want to show up on your echo. So find out what it means in your case.

 

[Bryan B]

When I had endocarditis the bacteria that collected on my aortic valve was called vegetation. They were able to see the vegetation on my echo but my understanding is that is not always the case. I was hospitalized for 3 days and was on IV antibiotics for 7 weeks. If vegetation has been detected on your valve this needs immediate attention.

 

[Rush20]

Nancy, thanks for your reply. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I read the term "vegitation" on previous posts, not on any report from my cardiologist, and I was curious what it means. Growth of tissue around the valve?

 

[Nancy]

Oh-

Glad you clarified that. I feel a lot better. Vegetation can mean a bacterial growth around the valve, and is definitely not a good thing.

So I'm very happy that it doesn't apply to you!

May all your vegetation involve carrots, onions and celery.

 

[Harpoon]

Vegetation, what Nancy said...

They thought I had that on my native valve when they did a pre-op echo the day before my surgery was scheduled. Turned out they were actually looking at the last remnants of said valve... Ouch.


When I first got home I saw my cardiologist for a check-up and echo at two week intervals, then a month, then three, and now every six months. If I feel like there's a problem or I just have some concerns I can call and be seen just about any time, he'll work me into his schedule if neccesary and the secretaries in his office are really good about that and know me pretty well at this point.

I'm starting to think I "glow" or something when I walk in to the office of one of my doctors.... =)


Generally six months seems to be what I've heard the most of, though I guess yearly is normal too if you've been doing really well. it's really up to the individual cardiologist and how "comfortable" he/she feels about your status.

Echo's aren't a perfect diagnostic tool They miss things, the tech misses things, the cardiologist misses things. They're getting better, but the only way to really know what's going on inside is to look with the naked eye and that involves cracking a chest open. I'll pass on that thankyouverymuch!

 

[tobagotwo]

This may not be for the squeamish...

I don't know if it's called vegitation (vegetation?), or if it's a separate issue, but I have seen photos of mechanical valves with the owner's tissue growing on them. Apparently, the body strives mightily to cope with whatever is introduced into it, and occasionally it can manage to take root even on the inhospitable, madly gyrating surfaces of a mechanical valve. The appearance was that it was not near the edges of the sealing surfaces, but rather on the flat face of the valve.

This is just FYI. There was nothing with the photo to state whether it was particularly detrimental or not. There was no discussion around the circumstances for which the valve may have been explanted. As such, don't read anything into this that isn't there, or draw any unpleasant conclusions that that we have no facts to support. I have never read of this actually being a problem to anyone.

I suspect tissue valves must acquire growth more often than mechanicals. However, it is calcification, not tissue growth, that is credited with damaging and finally ruining tissue valves over time.

 

[Bryan B]

I think the term "vegetation" only has to do with bacteria growth on valves.

But you are right, the body does tend to try and grow it's own tissue around the implanted prosthetic valve. I think that's why stentless valves have become more popular. My understanding is that stentless valves tend to lessen the chance of your own tissue growing around the valve and causing possible complications.

 

[Mark Wagner]

I have one annually. I certainly would not go more then 2 years without one. If the cardiologist does not agree to that, I would be looking for a new cardiologist. It is your life where talking about, and as great as the tecnology and and doctors are today, they are not God. My suggestion is to ask him for an echo and tell him it would help put you at ease. If he does not, just threaten to SICK ROSS ON HIM! I bet he will set you up for one then.

Mark

 

[Birky]

vegetation

vegetation

The surgeon took pictures of my valve after it was taken out and they were not sure if it was another infection so they did a culture. It was negative so they considered it vegetation. He took pictures and gave them to me. It looked like little red bags of something. Really kind of gross but interesting. I think he was surprised and this is way he took the pictures.