Hole in the Heart

[carolinemc]

Had a echo tech try to tell me that everyone is born with a hole in the heart. I wanted to scream at this person that I was not born with that. Anyone ever had a tech state the craziest stuff while getting an echo? I would love to hear from you and the stuff that they try to say.

 

[Warrick]

From what I recall (without hitting google) its called a foramen ovale, it's so your blood circulates when you are in the womb.

When you are born it closes over, some people it doesn't close over fully and then its called a patent foramen ovale (PFO, which I have).
Mostly it's a minor thing but I think it can be a cause of stroke as tiny amounts of blood pass thru this opening and can clot on the way thru

 

[carolinemc]

Warrick, thanks for the homework assignment. I am always studying up on things I find out from other people like yourself. Thanks for the heads up. Never heard of it, but I now I have. WebMD, here I come, or AHA. LOL!

 

[jwinter]

Craziest I ever heard "I don't usually do these, but watched a YouTube video a few minutes ago" Whatttt?!!

 

[Cliffk17]

I have as ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is another form of a hole in the heart. Either one has an ASD or a PFO.

The interesting thing is I suffered a stroke (TIA) 3 weeks ago and spent 5 days in the hospital. Although the stroke hasn't been able to be explained, one theory is a clot made its way through the hole and caused the blockage on the right side of my brain subsequently damaging two areas.
Now due to this the specialists are recommending that I have the hole closed up and also do the valve and aorta all at the same time. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm (root is 5.1cm and ascending 4.9cm).

Been an interesting few weeks to say the least. I figured I had a few years left before surgery was going to happen! The stroke appears to have bumped that up now!

 

[pellicle]

I have as ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is another form of a hole in the heart. Either one has an ASD or a PFO.
...
Been an interesting few weeks to say the least. I figured I had a few years left before surgery was going to happen! The stroke appears to have bumped that up now!

hope it all goes well mate (which I believe it has every reason to do so ...

 

[tom in MO]

I have as ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is another form of a hole in the heart. Either one has an ASD or a PFO.

The interesting thing is I suffered a stroke (TIA) 3 weeks ago and spent 5 days in the hospital. Although the stroke hasn't been able to be explained, one theory is a clot made its way through the hole and caused the blockage on the right side of my brain subsequently damaging two areas.
Now due to this the specialists are recommending that I have the hole closed up and also do the valve and aorta all at the same time. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm (root is 5.1cm and ascending 4.9cm).

Been an interesting few weeks to say the least. I figured I had a few years left before surgery was going to happen! The stroke appears to have bumped that up now!

Hope it all goes well for you and the stroke effects are manageable. If you are at risk of stroke and they are not sure why, if you pick a mechanical valve, since you'd be on warfarin, that puts a little different twist on the decision of mechanical vs. tissue valve.

When do they want to do the operation?

 

[Cliffk17]

Duplicate message see below. Don't see where to delete one's own message ?

 

[Cliffk17]

Hope it all goes well for you and the stroke effects are manageable. If you are at risk of stroke and they are not sure why, if you pick a mechanical valve, since you'd be on warfarin, that puts a little different twist on the decision of mechanical vs. tissue valve.

When do they want to do the operation?

Tom, I see the surgeon tomorrow morning October 17th and will know more after that.

Not sure I understand what you mean regarding putting a twist on things?
My surgeon has always stated a mechanical valve for me and warfarin. Of course I'm not sure whether that is looked at differently now that I have had a stroke but that will become clear tomorrow
Thank you for your input, appreciated

 

[Warrick]

Not wanting to speak for Tom but I think thats what he means... warfarin will greatly reduce your stroke risk from your ASD as well

 

[pellicle]

Duplicate message see below. Don't see where to delete one's own message ?

you can't ... (don't start me)

 

[pellicle]

Hi

My surgeon has always stated a mechanical valve for me and warfarin. Of course I'm not sure whether that is looked at differently now that I have had a stroke but that will become clear tomorrow
Thank you for your input, appreciated

I'm of the view that (now that you've had a stroke), you'll perhaps be considered a risk for stroke and may well be on some form of anticoagulation therapy, so it may as well be warfarin because its:

• got a long history and is a well understood drug
• relatively easy to manage (more so if you get involved)
• easy to reverse

I don't know your age, but a mechanical and warfarin has the advantage that it reduces the needs for reoperations (which are relatively a certainty if you have a tissue, but that's age dependent).

Feel free to ask about AC therapy as many of us here can help you do well in managing that. Its not hard really.

 

[tom in MO]

Not wanting to speak for Tom but I think thats what he means... warfarin will greatly reduce your stroke risk from your ASD as well

You are correct. You can speak for me whenever you want, I'm used to it, my wife and daughter do it all the time

Hope all goes well for you today Cliffk17.

 

[Agian]

I think what Tom is trying to say is that you can kill two birds with one stone by going on Warfarin. Isn't that right Tom?

 

[tom in MO]

I think what Tom is trying to say is that you can kill two birds with one stone by going on Warfarin. Isn't that right Tom?

Sure, if you get a mechanical valve, then you have to be on warfarin for the mechanical valve. Warfarin is an anti-clotting agent and thus will help stop your ability to form a clot irrespective of the what can cause the clot. My MIL was on warfarin before her valve surgery for a clotting problem not related to her valve. She got a tissue based valve, which doesn't require warfarin, but had stay on warfarin due to her comorbidity.