Murmurs

[hhardt]

Was wondering if murmurs are normal for AVR with bovine types? Each of my doctors say they hear a slight murmur "but don't worry". I have had no echo..s since my operation in March 2001. I feel fine and have no other symptomatic concerns. Since I have a pacemaker, I see the electrician every 6 months. Will see him again Monday. Still have trouble getting an appointment with the cardiologist (tube checker). How hard should I push.

 

[ALCapshaw]

Hello Hugo,

I assume your Pacemaker "electrician" is a full fledged cardiologist and therefore should have some understanding of the "plumbing" as well as the electrical functions SO, I would just express my concerns and ask him if he thinks you should have an echo. He should be able to arrange for one and even arrange for someone else to interpret the results if you prefer.

Were you at the Mended Hearts Meeting Thursday evening? We had an interesting presentation from Dr. Newton, the newest member of the HSV Heart Surgical group.

'AL'

 

[Peachy]

I'm now seven months post op with a pig valve. At my three monthly checkup the cardiologist said that I had a slight flow murmur. I questioned this and he said this is normal as it's not my own valve and that it would always be there. Looks like we're always going to have a murmur. As regards appointments with the cardiologist I will carry on seeing him once a year as usual. Should you not have seen him after a year to check things are ok?

 

[AMY FLEISSIG]

You should have echos at least once a year!! I can't believe your cardiologist has not done one since your surgery. Maybe you should seek another one.
I am not trying to scare you but, my brother and I have been through hell and back with our hearts. A person with any type of heart problems, valve replacements or not should be seen by a cardiologist at least once a year, if not twice, and followed by echos.

Amy

 

[Granbonny]

Being nosey

Being nosey

Hi Amy, I just noticed that you are almost 10 years with your St. Jude's mechanical valve. Can I ask some personal questions like, How have you handled your coumadin levels, any problems? Would love to hear a short history of the last 10 years. I guess we are just a nosey bunch of Valvers Bonnie

 

[Nancy]

Hi Hugo-

Joe has a murmur and will always have one. Most of the time it's OK, but when he's been terribly sick, it's been characterized as very loud. But his body has been under extreme stress at those times.

He sees his cardiologist at least twice a year, but if there have been any medical problems or hospitalizations, then it's on an as-needed basis. Right now it's on a 4 month schedule. After the next appt. it will probably go to 6 months, if nothing pops up. He also sees the PA who monitors his pacemaker twice a year. With all of his doctors, he sees someone at least every other month. I think they all try to keep it that way. They don't want to let him go too long between appts. He's got lots and lots of complicated issues though.

He gets echoes when necessary. There have been times when he's gone over a year, and there have been other times when it's been every week, like the last hospitalization.

Is the "electrician" a cardiologist? And does he/she check you out other than the pacemaker? Do you go to the PCP, and does the PCP check out your heart? If not, then maybe you should push it to be seen every year, at least. Too many things can crop up.

Take care

 

[AMY FLEISSIG]

Hey Bonnie,

You are not being nosey at all. I'm very open and don't mind sharing my lifes saga's or heart sagas, anyway, my second surgery was 4/13/93 at Mt. Sinai in mIami, by Dr. Donald Williams. I have had no problems with the coumadin. I do bruise a lot, but that's par for the course. If you want to get really personal, I think my periods are heavier than normal being on coumadin, sorry guys, hope you're not too grossed out! My teeth bleed more when I brush, but again, that's life. I think I have dealt with it very well. I just consider it something else that is done on a daily basis, poppin a pill. My brother, Greg on the other hand, which I am sure you have corresponded with, and is the reason I have gotten "addicted" to this website, is a little nutsy! and he's a psychologist, you know what they say about "shrinks". (sorry Greg, you know I luv ya!) So I don't know what else you wanna know. Just ask and I will tell. Sometimes I forget to take itand I take it later on. I know you are suppose to take it about the same time every day, My PT/Inr is high enough that if I miss a dose, it's not tragic. What is a pain is that any minor medical procedure, you have to stop the coumadin and go on antibiotics.
Well, my fingers hurt so that's it for now, Ask anything you want and I will tell all.

Have a good one!

 

[Granbonny]

Thanks Amy

Thanks Amy

Thanks for sharing some of the past 10 years living with a St. Judes. I'm not quite 5 months and just don't won't to dwell on this surgery everyday....hope as the months go on I will get back to not thinking about coumadin everyday. Will always know I must take it..I have noticed my gums bleed more also..the clicking never bothers me....Chat with us often..Bonnie

 

[Mara]

Hi Hugo

Just like Peachy, I have a flow murmur, too. I got a (gasp) CryoLife synergraft valve as my replacement aortic valve. My cardio said a flow murmur was "normal" I go in on the 23rd for my one-year (and a bit) check up and will have an echo.
I think if you are worried or just curious push to get a cardio appointment, if you have no luck change docs. you shouldn't be kept waiting.
I think having a yearly "looks good" appointment is important just so they and you know what's going on.
-mara

 

[McCln]

Hugo

Hugo

It is not being nosy to get educated on Heart Murmur. I was born with congential heart murmur. Since the inventin of the echocardiogram, it is a livesaver for many. It takes the big work out of the catherization, and finds out what is going on. Be sure to bug your docotor and get as educated as you can. Being sure of your heart's condition is not being nosy at all. You are concerned about your health. Let us know of how things turn out. My vavle replacement took care of the murmur for the time being. I hope it never comes back. You take care and keep coming in here.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[hhardt]

Update

Update

Saw my pacemaker doc today. He assured me he has to also be somewhat of a plumber to be an electrician. He says I must expect some murmuring with a bovine valve. My echocardiogram is next Monday. I'm comfortable with most of his staff and him too. All is well so far. Now if I could get the "PN" under control.....

 

[gary]

Have had an increasingly loud murmur

Have had an increasingly loud murmur

during the last year. The sound radiates from the 3-4 right intercostal space last year to the entire heart area even up into the neck. The important thing I'm learning (my 2 year post-op exam was conducted at CCF this past Friday, awaiting the results of the resting and Stress Echo performed now) is that the 'obstruction' of any prosthesis, in the aortic position, is going to cause a 'murmur' of some type (it may well do it in all replaced valves). It's rare that some 'noise', as the blood rushes past the new ring and valve leaflets will be non-existent in bovine or mechanical valves. Homografts, allografts, and David Toronto valves, the hemodynamics seem relatively free.

Anyone out there with a homograft that can confirm this?

Anyone out there with a homograft at all?

An important key is whether your gradients are, over time, getting higher or not. If not, then a murmur should be little problem.




4/00;AVR; Bovine Pericardial; CCF; Cosgrove.

 

[Don]

Bovine Murmur

Bovine Murmur

Hi Hugo,
We both have the same valve in the same model year heart. My PCP, who originally detected the Aortic Stenosis in 1988, says he hears a "leak', but "not to worry". My local cardiologist, says "its not a leak, its ... mumbles something ..." He follows up that statement with "We're not familiar with your type of valve." I'm sdcheduled to have an echo by this local cardiologist in about six weeks.
My question, if I can horn in on your thread, should I have a six-month echo done by a cardiologist who is not familiar with a bovine valve? I believe I'm the first patient in his parnership practise who has had this type of valve. (He let me know that he was disappointed that I didn't get a mechanical valve; I think that he is also peeved that I went to CCF instead of having the surgery done locally.) So, will someone who hasn't seen a bovine valve on an echo be able to do a decent job of the echo evaluation?
I've been feeling relatively since my AVR. Perhaps I should leave well enough alone. CCF doesn't want to see me until my first year anniversary.
Best wishes,
Don
AVR; 4/02; CCF; Cosgrove; Bovine Tissue

 

[hhardt]

Cow Valve Check

Cow Valve Check

Don, since they are primarily checking for flow and leaks, I don't think it probably makes a lot of difference which valve it is. Mine is Monday and I'll ask the do-er what difference it makes.
What part of New Mexico? I had 2 tours in Albuquerque, one in the late 50s and again in 65.
Hugo

 

[Nancy]

The type of valve makes some difference, I think, to the person doing the echo. They usually ask Joe what type of valves he has. And when he asked why, the person said that different valves react different ways.

 

[Don]

Feedback on Cow Valve Echo

Feedback on Cow Valve Echo

Hi again Hugo,
Would appreciate any input as to any possible uniqueness required in performing an echo on a bovine tissue aortic valve replacement. How did your echo go?
Responding to your question: Southern part of NM; 225 miles south of Albuquerque; 50 miles NNW of El Paso; Las Cruces, 85,000 population, one of the 8 best places to retire or open a business according to Forbes and Money; home of NMSU.
Don
AVR; 4/02; CCF; Cosgrove; Bovine Tissue

 

[greggo32]

Agree with Nancy

Agree with Nancy

The type of valve does make a difference. You owe it to all you have been through to f/u with a cardiologist who sees (color doppler) and hears this type of a valve. Go where the experience is at this point. You wouldn't want a first year resident controlling your medical care without consulting with someone who has more experience! Get the best!

 

[hhardt]

Echo

Echo

I'll tell all I know tomorrow (Monday). The echo-gram is scheduled for then and I'll report in the PM. My pacemaker doctor ordered it, but I'll have the specialists at the Heart Center read the results. Of course, I'll be talking it thru with the technologist as she does it. And I will also ask what difference it makes to them concerning valve type.
Hugo

 

[Don]

Echo of Bovine Tissue Aortic Replacement Valve

Echo of Bovine Tissue Aortic Replacement Valve

Hi Hugo,
Eagerly awaiting your report on your Monday, August 25th echo of the Bovine Tissue Aortic Replacement Valves.
Hope everything went o.k., and that you are o.k. Thanks,
Don
AVR; 4/02; CCF; Cosgrove; Bovine Tissue

 

[tantenay]

RE: bovine valve

RE: bovine valve

Hi, guys, I have a bovine valve, too! Carpentier-Edwards. My cardio said a slight murmur is normal. However, when I was about 5 mo post-op (in 2000)they discovered my new valve is leaking. The cardio said he had never seen a new valve leak like that. Told me he thought it was defective. HMMMM

Looks like most people do have mech valves, and the ones that have xenos, are usually pig valves. At any rate, when doing my echo, they have never even asked about what type of valve it is, maybe they have my chart.

That's it, just wanted you to know I had a cow valve, too - moo!