Problems with aortic valve replacement ?

[Paleowoman]

Within the past two weeks I have had three episodes of partial loss of vision in my right eye which lasted 1 minute each time. On advice of GP I went to the local hospital eye unit day before yesterday - had lots of tests and a doctor at the end who surprised me by saying he thought I had TIA (ministroke). He arranged some blood tests: CRP, ESR and full blood count, and prescribed baby aspirin, and made urgent referral to the TIA clinic which I went to yesterday (all very efficient of the NHS). Had brain MRI, ultrasound of carotid arteries and an ECG and saw TIA doctor. The brain MRI was fine and shows no damage, and the carotid arteries are fine, no blockages, the blood tests are all normal, but my ECG is abnormal, especially in that there is right atrial enlargement - on last year’s echo the right atrial was of normal size.

The TIA doctor said she thinks I had blood clots in the right eye and that I should bring forward my scheduled appointment with cardiologist for echocardiogram. I'm to see the eye doctor on Monday again and I’ve an appointment now fixed with cardiologist for next Wednesday. I wonder if this means the valve which had its eleventh birthday last January is having problems ?

 

[tommyboy14]

Hi Paleowoman,

I dont think it necessarily means that. I had a tissue valve and had two neurological events. One around the three year mark and then one a year ahead of second surgery. The first one was more scary because it was like bells palsy, but brain all fine.

I suspect that tissue valves are more stroke prone than our native valves, but less than mechanical valves. This is why it is good to stay one some sort of anticoagulant, like baby aspirin, but this didnt prevent me from having the Bells palsy type episode. So I will keep my fingers crossed that your valve is still good, but they can throw small clots sometimes (even tissue ones) based on my own experience.

Good luck with the Echo

Tommyboy

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Tommyboy,

The migraine auras I’ve been getting since valve replacement are neurological, and the double vision I get. Initially I thought the partial loss of vision in my right eye, about half the sight in that eye, was also a type of migraine aura but since it’s in one eye only that apparently means it isn’t, as the migraine aura and double vision are in both eyes, hence I suppose the the eye clinic doctor thinking it’s a TIA especially since it's totally new and only lasting a minute….oh and my blood pressure was high, but that’s probably due to the situation.

I’m concerned the right atrial enlargement in my heart must mean my heart is having to work harder because of the valve….though I’ve had no symptoms of that. The echo will doubtless show what’s going on.

Anne

 

[dornole]

I had a near complete loss of vision in my right eye that lasted about 2 minutes last summer during the countdown to mitral valve replacement of my rheumatic native valve, and they did a similar work up scanning brain and carotid arteries. No sign of recent stroke or blockage of carotid but they still said it was a TIA. It was disturbing because I was already on Eliquis due to afib (which increases strike risk). Neurologist said definitely follow up with cardiology.

You said your ECG was abnormal - how? Did they say afib, another rhythm problem?

I would follow up with cardiology for sure.

My left atrium was severely enlarged prior to MVR. For what it’s worth. They told me this enlargement can cause afib.

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Dornole, that's interesting you had a similar work up, must be standard after this type of thing.

The ECG says "right atrial enlargement" - my echo last year said "right atrial normal size" so there has been a change there. The ECG also says "non specific ST and T wave abnormality" and Prolonged QT" - my heart rhythm is normal though, there's no afib.

I'm seeing my cardiologist next Wednesday and he'll do an echo then.