I need your opinion!

[Debrinha GT]

No need to introduce myself anymore! LOL!! As most of you know, I'll be having my fourth mitral valve replacement in a while. When I went to talk to my surgeon last October, he told me that It should still be a couple of years until I need to get it done. I then asked him how they actually know the best time for it. He explained that he'll only operate on me when the opening to my mitral valve goes down to 1,00cm2.He also said that the only thing that might take me to the operating theatre earlier is if there's a sudden rupture on the valve which he doubts will be the case. Just in case you're wondering, all the valves I've had were tissue and this last one is a Pericardium bovine bioprosthetic cardioprothesis valve No 29. My last echo showed this:
March3rd 2005, biological prothesis with slightly thickened cusps, sufficient and competent opening, maximum GRAD=12mmhg ;medium GRAD=05mmhg; valvular area (doppler) = 2.80cm. Increased left atrium. I would really appreciate your comments, opinion and advice. Thanks in advance.
Débora

 

[tobagotwo]

Sounds like it's still working quite well, and you still have a pretty good valve opening. My guess is you'll be hanging around for more than a couple of years waiting for surgery, which is probably fine all 'round.

Best wishes,

 

[Debrinha GT]

That sounds good!

That sounds good!

Thanks again Bob for your encouraging reply. So, do you also think that the rest of the heart will be preserved once the opening to my mitral valve gets to that point? I've always had an enlarged left atrium as a result of the first surgery and I suppose the others that came after it. But none of my doctors has ever shown much concern about that. I can say that I have quite a healthy life style. I eat well especially lots of fruit and vegetables, mostly green leaves which I've always loved, I'm active, don't drink nor smoke at all. Do you also think that pregnancy could've speeded up the problem? When I wanted to have Bruna, my cardio never mentioned that possibility and all he said was that as long as my valve was in good shape, there would be no danger apart from those of any pregnancy. I've never had high blood pressure in my life, or any of those things that might offer any danger to heart patients. I'd like to hear any additional comments from you or any other members. Thanks for reading.
Débora