Questions

[carlapv]

Hi All,
I am going to have a TEE next week to find out whether or not my surgery is imminent. Just wondering what questions I should ask? I read the posts everyday and I noticed that everyone seems to know so much more about their situation than I do. I want to make sure that I have all the information I need to make an informed decision. I thought I was informed, I have read everything I could about mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation but after reading the posts here everyday I have found that I really know very little about it. You guys are great teachers.

Thanks,
Carla

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Carla,
I hope your tests go OK. Just remember to ask away, there is no such thing as a dumb question. If you don't feel comfortable with the answers you get, you have a choice of a second opinion. Take care and Good luck. Let us know how your tests went.

Dave

Keep your fires small!
_________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[JimL]

Carla,
There have been a number of threads discussing echo results. The result of those discussions -- in my mind -- is that most of us understand only a few of the many numbers generated by an echo. The echocardiographic technician who does the regular echo is really quite skilled; I usually ask for simple bits of information; one number I think I understand is the ejection fraction, EF, which is a maximum of about 75%; anything over 50 is good. There are surely other important questions to ask, perhaps specific to your situation, which your cardiologist can explain.

 

[Ross]

The TEE-You won't get a chance to ask too many questions as you'll be going to "Milk of Amnesia" land. I don't know if it holds true where you going, but mine was done by a Cardiologist (My own too!) and being I was still dopey and sleepy when it was over, he didn't get into the meat and potatoes of the whole thing. He then sent the video to the Surgeon and we discussed it at the surgeons office visit. For many, the TEE is the determiner as to whether or not surgery is needed now.

Some people like to know the numbers, myself, I'd prefer they just put it in lay terms and tell me like it is. If it's bad, I want to know and show me why. I don't mean hand or diagram gestures, show me on the video, prove your case to me. That's just the way I am.

If something in particular is bothering your mind, ask us, we'll tell you and answer whatever we can.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Carla,

I'm sorry I haven't been in touch with you before this. I am glad you are having your TEE done and finding out where you stand.

I personally think you should start requesting copies of your medical test results as you go along. What doesn't make sense to you now will in time.

There are a few of us in about the same situation as you. I am one of the people here with Rheumatic Heart Disease. I have Mitral Stenosis, Mitral Insufficiency, Aortic Insufficiency, Tri-cuspid insufficiency and Pulmonary Hypertension. My left atrium is dilated and I have a problem with Atrial Fib.

I didn't have a known rheumatic fever history either. Neither did some others here. I did however have whooping cough and also mono when I was 14. (I wonder sometimes if the mono was actually RF but I'll never know). Because my lungs were taking forever to clear following the whooping cough, I was given radiation treatments to my chest (?thymus gland). This was in the early 1960's and things were a bit different then. It would never be done today. I have a coronary artery that is narrowed at the very entrance that may be a by-product of my little treatments.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I am still in the waiting room and have not had any intervention as yet. My next appointment is July 15th with the doctor that may be able to do a cutting balloon angioplasty on my artery lesion and also do a mitral balloon valvotomy. I am looking forward to getting some of this behind me as I'm sure you are too.

Try not to stress too much over this. We'll get through this in time.
Keep reading the forums and just keep learning. Oh, and have some fun with us along the way.

Keep us up to date on how you are doing.

Betty(bvdr)

 

[Nancy]

Hi Carla-

You'll probably have someone go with you to the TEE. Request that the doctor doing the procedure come out and talk with that person and discuss the findings.

When Joe has had his done, his doctors have done that and it is very helpful. It's a preliminary thing and the written report will follow to your cardiologist, but at least you will have some information.

Make sure that you tell the doctor doing the TEE that you want to be made as comfortable as possible. Make sure they numb your throat properly and ask to have something to relax you. It makes all the difference to be comfortable. Joe had one with an inexperienced person doing it, it was not a good thing. I don't want you to have that situation. Don't be shy about asking for this. It will be important for you.

The TEE is a terrific test. It shows so much. You will have many answers afterwards.

Best wishes.

 

[nadi]

TEE

TEE

I had a TEE in April. The nurses gave me something to relax me I went to sleep(my way of self preservation! ) then they numbed the throat (unfortunely have a very sensitive gag relex), I remember the Dr. saying give her more meds. That is the last I remember until waking up back in out patient surgery. The only side effect was groggy not even a sore throat. It was after that they were able to tell me I need surgery ASAP.

Take care

 

[carlapv]

Questions

Thanks everyone for the replies. I knew I could count on everyone here. I am very much a cynic having worked in the disability field for the last 22 years. I guess I have seen too much of man's inhumanity to man,so I sometimes find it difficult to trust that there are people out there who truly care about others without thought to personal gain. Bless you all!

I have had several TEEs in the past so I know what to expect as far as the procedure but I just want to make sure I have all the information I need to ask all the right questions. Maybe this time I can get real answers.

Betty, I had a balloon valvuloplasty in March of 1995 and I have done really well up until the last 6-8 months. That's about 8 years. I think that's pretty terrific. I hope if you have one it will last as long as mine.

Again, thank you all so much.

Carla

 

[Ross]

Carla I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you've had TEE's before. As far as what to ask, that's difficult to answer. I would have the Doctor go over the video with you and explain everything in lay terms. Sort of prove his case to you, the judge.

Personal gain? Well if it makes you feel better, you can send me some cookies.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Carla,

I've had a number of echo's plus 2 TEE's.

I obtained copies of all of those reports and compiled the numbers and comments on a spread sheet to show the progression of my valve condition. Then I took my spread sheet to my cardiologist and asked for explanations of the 'trends' that showed up on the the sheet. I keep a small medical notebook which I take to each Doctor appointment and write my questions / concerns down for each visit. My Doc's now just ask to see my book which saves time in addressing my concerns.

You can find a LOT of good heart information on the American Heart Association Website www.AmericanHeart.org (I think it's .org and not .com

'AL'

 

[fdegranville]

TEE questions

TEE questions

Hi Carla,
I guess by this time you have all your answers, if you had your TEE as scheduled.

I am exactly where you are. I have mitral stenosis and aortic regurg. I had an unsuccessful mitral valvuloplasty in April, so I'm now hanging out in the waiting room.
I'm sure the important numbers are the size of your LA and LV and the pressure gradients across the valves. It will be interesting to note the diameter of the mitral valve to see if it has closed again. As far as the LV, the size of the chamber will be carefully assessed because even if you are relatively symptom free they like to replace the valve before the muscle gets too stretched out from excessive blood volume and fails to contract properly. For once that happens (even if the valve is replaced), contractility will not improve.

Best of luck, let us know the results.
fdeg