Myxomatous?

[strawberry]

Hi! New here. I was just diagnosed with MVP, and they marked Myxomatous. I'm getting conflicting info on whether this is just regular old MVP or a more degenerative type. I'm only 38. Does anyone know? I also have mild Aortic insufficieny and I have to go back in a year for another echo. Does anyone have any insight on this? When I asked the cardio if the AI would get worse, he said he would be more worried about the Mitral Valve. Is this because it is myx type? Thanks!

 

[Ross]

From the Cleveland Clinic Heart Forum

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/33754a.html

Myxomatous changes of your mitral valve means that the valve leaflets contain extra connective tissue. This extra tissue causes the leaflets to abnormally extend into the top chamber(left atrium) of the heart. These findings can lead to worsening of regurgitation across the valve. Approximately 3-5% of the population has mitral valve prolapse, which makes it quite common. Your doctor should follow this condition with routine echocardiograms and questions regarding symptoms.

 

[strawberry]

Thanks Ross! That's one of the definitions I'd seen but I wonder if it is the "usual" type of MVP that people say is benign or a more degenerative "type". I also wonder how fast it deteriorates.

 

[Christina L]

I had congenital MVP with severe regurgitation with myxomatous changes before my surgery. I read the operative note and it said the surgeon took off HALF of one of my leaflets - there was that much redundant tissue on the valve. No wonder I had all that regurgitation. Now the regurgitation is trivial. The report also said that the surgeon debrided a lot of scar tissue - from the valves flopping around in there, I suppose.

However, my cardiologists have told me that my type of valve (MVP with myxomatous change) is the most successful to repair and to stay repaired (I pray they are right).

Christina L.