Arlyss
Well-known member
The following link provides selected references from the medical literature. Among them, under the category "Prosthetic Valves" is a PDF of a paper about following prosthetic valves and what should be monitored. It certainly gives something to further discuss with our physicians.
This paper mentions microbubbles and valvular strands among other things - both of which my husband experienced with his mechanical valve.
In the section about pathologic obstruction of an aortic valve, it mentions that an increase in the pressure gradient of 20 mm Hg or more from one echo to the next is cause for concern. I would add that it should not be just scar tissue growth (pannus) that is considered here, but valvular strands. Finding the strands and removing the valve before the strands can cause a stroke is so important.
So , here is the link
http://www.bicuspidfoundation.com/Medical_Information.html
Best wishes,
Arlyss
This paper mentions microbubbles and valvular strands among other things - both of which my husband experienced with his mechanical valve.
In the section about pathologic obstruction of an aortic valve, it mentions that an increase in the pressure gradient of 20 mm Hg or more from one echo to the next is cause for concern. I would add that it should not be just scar tissue growth (pannus) that is considered here, but valvular strands. Finding the strands and removing the valve before the strands can cause a stroke is so important.
So , here is the link
http://www.bicuspidfoundation.com/Medical_Information.html
Best wishes,
Arlyss
