Has anyone ever been told.............

[bvdr]

Hi Fred,

We've compared conditions before so this may be helpful.

My left atrium was 5.5-6.0 prior to surgery and my last echo showed it to be now under 5.0.

I still have some problems with the atrial fib but not very often.

My mitral valve area was probably more like 1.3 -1.4 before surgery but coupled with the moderate regurgitation of the mitral, aortic, and tri-cuspid plus mild pulmonary hypertension I was very symptomatic.

I had a 25mm St.Jude mechanical put in the mitral position and it has made a big big difference for me. I have noticed it most in the last month. I can not do some things but I can do most things quite comfortably.

I know you really like your cardiologist but please get a new one. I really can relate to how you are feeling. Even though I have had some problems since surgery I would do it all over again without hesitating because of the difference it has made.

 

[fdegranville]

Welcome back!

Welcome back!

Hi Betty,
I hope you had a great time on your vacation and a good rest.

I was looking forward to your perspective because we do have almost the exact same disease course.

I was so surprised when she said that, I just assumed I would feel better. Even my last cardiologist said there would be no doubt I would feel better after replacing the valves and promised them to me for my 50th birthday. Do you know what your valve diameter is now with a 25mm mechanical valve?

Another factor in the decision making, that I always thought to be true was that if your LV started to enlarge that was cause to replace the valve (with or without symptoms), in our case caused by the AR. The difference in the measurement on my last two echos prior to the SMBV was 5.3 and then 6.0.

I will go and have the stress echo and see what happens. I do have a lot going on at work--I have to go to London for 4 daiys, come back for a one-day meeting and then go right back to London for three more days in the beginning of March. I think by the time I get that over with I will be more than ready!

Again Betty, great to have you home!
fdeg

 

[bvdr]

My new mitral valve area is 2.0.

Remember Francesca that with mitral stenosis, because it reduces the workload of the left ventricle (by limiting how much it can fill for each beat), the changes that would normally come from a damaged aortic valve are delayed. Once you start getting changes you probably have more damage than you expected.

 

[fdegranville]

thanks betty

thanks betty

hmmmmmmmmm. Your mitral valve is only 2cm too and you feel better? Maybe I should pass that along to my doctor. Remind me why they didn't replace your aortic valve when they did the mitral. Don' t you have 3+ regurg? Won't it progress, or at least the size of your LV now that more blood is getting in?

I hope you are doing well. Thanks for your response.
fdeg

 

[bvdr]

My cardio and PCP have both said they don't understand why the aortic wasn't replaced at the same time. My cardiac surgeon said that at the time of surgery that he felt I stood a good chance of never having to have the aortic valve replaced so he left it alone. I do have mild aortic stenosis now (1.4cm). I don't know what the regurg amount is right now because the mitral jet was interferring with the echo readings of the aortic regurg. All my cardiologist said was that it was significant. Regardless, I feel better. I guess a plus side is that I still have an intact sternum so if I eventually need another surgery than maybe there won't be so much scar tissue to deal with.

It is true that a mitral valve area of 2.0 is still slightly stenotic but if the surgery also corrects the mitral regurg issue than you can put two plusses in the win column.

Keep us up on progress here OK? How is your vision these days?
It sure is nice to see you back on the boards.