Murmur after surgery

[Iggy]

Hi there,
It’s been 8 months after I had a mitral valve repair surgery and just had my first follow up with a cardiologist to see how I’m doing, where she could hear a new post-op mitral valve murmur, and said that the valve is leaking again and I might need another surgery in about 5 years from now(depending how it progresses). I kind of was shocked since both my physician and the heart surgeon had told me they could not hear anything abnormal. I had probably the best surgeon in my state. My question is how common is it to have a murmur after surgery? I was rally hoping it would go away and not worry about it for at least 10-15 years and ideally never, since the heart surgeons reassured me they’d fixed the valve so it would serve me a long time, given that I’m in my early 30s. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Astro]

I recommend getting an echo then you will know what’s going on. Hearing a murmur is often inaccurate. Often people have a murmur and the echo shows everything in fine (it might be a flow murmur in a young person with a high cardiac output). If there has been a potential change then an echo would be wise.
Fingers crossed that an echo shows that it is nothing to worry about.

 

[pellicle]

I agree with Astro's points. "hearing a murmur" is cause for further investigation, not concern. I see you had a repair, so I understand your concerns. But there is no point in working yourself up over something which may just be an expected outcome of a repair.

The point of "might need another surgery in 5 years" is another vague one ... I might need a surgery in 5 years ... or I might not. I'm a fan of the Stoic views:

So worry about lunch now and the other stuff later ...

 

[Agian]

I've been told it's unlikely I will die. As such, I will have my lunch without distraction.

 

[pellicle]

I've been told it's unlikely I will die. As such, I will have my lunch without distraction.

I can't talk about fight club but I am permitted to say "timescale"

 

[AnnieP]

Hi there,
It’s been 8 months after I had a mitral valve repair surgery and just had my first follow up with a cardiologist to see how I’m doing, where she could hear a new post-op mitral valve murmur, and said that the valve is leaking again and I might need another surgery in about 5 years from now(depending how it progresses). I kind of was shocked since both my physician and the heart surgeon had told me they could not hear anything abnormal. I had probably the best surgeon in my state. My question is how common is it to have a murmur after surgery? I was rally hoping it would go away and not worry about it for at least 10-15 years and ideally never, since the heart surgeons reassured me they’d fixed the valve so it would serve me a long time, given that I’m in my early 30s. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

I had a 10 year cardiologist check last week scan ecg and auscultation of heart lungs. She heard a systolic murmur which has always been present post operatively. I asked her about it as I can also hear the murmur. She explained it is due to some normal leaking around the replacement valve and a prosthetic valve will always have different sounds to a native valve.

 

[harrietW]

I am 8 wks post surgery. We hear a murmur. AnnieP is correct and my Surgeon said just this past Thursday you will hear a murmur because of the repair or replacement prosthetic. My family doc heard it a couple of weeks ago as well.
Unfortunately we did not have the echo results l had had on the Wednesday before driving up to for follow-up as promised but l am going back up in the 25th to see my cardiologist and possibly my Surgeon again. In the meantime they hope to have it in a few days and will be in touch if there is concern.

On the other hand after my first surgery 3 mths post we heard a murmur .. The mitral valve repair didn't hold and right there and then the surgeon said l would need a second surgery. Which was had just 8 wks ago. 3.5 yrs later.
I think without an echo it's really impossible to know. And it is impossible to know for sure the rate of disease or tissue deterioration. Only my thoughts ..

I say take your lunch. Atleast while your waiting for an echo. That's what l intend to do.

 

[ejc61]

Hi there,
It’s been 8 months after I had a mitral valve repair surgery and just had my first follow up with a cardiologist to see how I’m doing, where she could hear a new post-op mitral valve murmur, and said that the valve is leaking again and I might need another surgery in about 5 years from now(depending how it progresses). I kind of was shocked since both my physician and the heart surgeon had told me they could not hear anything abnormal. I had probably the best surgeon in my state. My question is how common is it to have a murmur after surgery? I was rally hoping it would go away and not worry about it for at least 10-15 years and ideally never, since the heart surgeons reassured me they’d fixed the valve so it would serve me a long time, given that I’m in my early 30s. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

It's going to be echos (TTE) that are going to be an indicator of how your valve is doing. The murmurs heard from a stethescope is somewhat subjective. I had mitral valve repair 10 years ago at the age of 47 by a world reknown surgeon myself. I still have mild to mod regurg even after a bout of endocarditis 5 years ago. The term "leaking value" as you know, has different levels of leaking. Be conscience of your condition. So I would expect your cardio to request an echo at the 12 month mark for certain and going forward as a matter of course regardless of what is heard now. This is your new reality but it'll be ok. I flipped out also when the tech said at my 12 month echo that my valve was leaking moderately. It clearly wasn't but never push a tech for information but that's another story. I'm a bit surprised that a time frame would be given.

 

[Protimenow]

Yeah, when I eat lunch, I'm around to eat it. The question is -- can I call in the order or order it online, and ask for delivery - and will I still be alive when it's delivered? Can I put a roast in the oven and still be here to take it out before it incinerates?

 

[Iggy]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. The echo is scheduled next month as well as a follow up with the cardiologist. I'll focus on my lunch for now and keep you folks posted.

 

[pellicle]

@Iggy
Epictetus (I understood) always ate dessert first too ;-)

best wishes with the echo
and now for something completely different:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2019/09/afternoon-ride.html
like I say ... Australia is hot dry land, stay hydrated

 

[user 16827]

pretty cool bumping across the Kangaroos

 

[Paleowoman]

My question is how common is it to have a murmur after surgery?

I had a murmur straight away after my aortic valve replacement in 2014. On discharge from hospital I saw my GP for a repeat prescription of the meds I was given. GP listened to my heart and noted "very loud murmur". I am sometimes used as a patient for MRCP Paces exam (doctors who moving on up to specialist level) and they often get confused by my murmur as it is so loud, often thinking it is a mitral valvee problem even though it isn't. It is actually a "flow murmur" which apparently is common with prosthetic valves. My valve is too small which would increase the noise of the flow murmur I think as otherwise the valve is working okay. I have six monthly and sometimes annual echos to check up on the valve. Echos are the only way to go, and sometimes a transoesophageal echo just to be sure the valve is functioning properly.

 

[tumblindice]

I agree with Astro's points. "hearing a murmur" is cause for further investigation, not concern. I see you had a repair, so I understand your concerns. But there is no point in working yourself up over something which may just be an expected outcome of a repair.

The point of "might need another surgery in 5 years" is another vague one ... I might need a surgery in 5 years ... or I might not. I'm a fan of the Stoic views:

View attachment 887211

So worry about lunch now and the other stuff later ...

Epictetus is, actually, dead. : -)

 

[pellicle]

Epictetus is, actually, dead. : -)

Did he get lunch?

 

[Protimenow]

He probably did -- but a LONG time ago.

 

[Agian]

I am here for the people.