M
Mb
Hello All:
I hope I do this correctly! This is the first time in a year or so that I have posted to a new thread. Didn't know if I should place it in "pre-surgery" or "post surgery". Here goes...................My husband had dual valves replaced in Oct. of 2001. He is in permanent a-fib, age 58. The short story is that post surgery he was discovered to have severe tricuspid regurgitation, along with the a-fib, etc. His most recent echo was in August of 2004. We had a cardio visit last Tuesday, who reviewed the report. His atriums are enlarged, as well as the ventricles. His EF, though is 70%. His mitral and aortic gradients have increased, indicating a build up of scar tissue around the implanted St. Jude valves., Now, we have been told that people can tolerate tricuspid regurgitation for many years, but at this most recent visit, his cardio said the surgery (placing a ring around the annulus) should be done before the right side of the heart gets too flabby, and causes damage to the liver, spleen and kidneys. First we heard of this! Unless his condition worsens, we are waiting till the August 2005 echo, to see what progress has been made, if any, and speak to him again then.
I'd like to know if anyone here can give me input on the following questions:
1. Has this happened to anyone here, and does anyone know the criteria for when tricuspid surgery is recommended?
2. Scar tissue build up at the valves..............does anyone know at what gradient they need to do something?
He is on lasix, coumaden, atenenol, aspirin, digoxin. Takes 120mg of lasix, which for the most part controls the fluids.
I am really looking for your input!
Marybeth
PS - I am a lurker, but have been around for four years now. Gotta tell you, the information I've gotten here....practical advise, has been immeasurable.
I hope I do this correctly! This is the first time in a year or so that I have posted to a new thread. Didn't know if I should place it in "pre-surgery" or "post surgery". Here goes...................My husband had dual valves replaced in Oct. of 2001. He is in permanent a-fib, age 58. The short story is that post surgery he was discovered to have severe tricuspid regurgitation, along with the a-fib, etc. His most recent echo was in August of 2004. We had a cardio visit last Tuesday, who reviewed the report. His atriums are enlarged, as well as the ventricles. His EF, though is 70%. His mitral and aortic gradients have increased, indicating a build up of scar tissue around the implanted St. Jude valves., Now, we have been told that people can tolerate tricuspid regurgitation for many years, but at this most recent visit, his cardio said the surgery (placing a ring around the annulus) should be done before the right side of the heart gets too flabby, and causes damage to the liver, spleen and kidneys. First we heard of this! Unless his condition worsens, we are waiting till the August 2005 echo, to see what progress has been made, if any, and speak to him again then.
I'd like to know if anyone here can give me input on the following questions:
1. Has this happened to anyone here, and does anyone know the criteria for when tricuspid surgery is recommended?
2. Scar tissue build up at the valves..............does anyone know at what gradient they need to do something?
He is on lasix, coumaden, atenenol, aspirin, digoxin. Takes 120mg of lasix, which for the most part controls the fluids.
I am really looking for your input!
Marybeth
PS - I am a lurker, but have been around for four years now. Gotta tell you, the information I've gotten here....practical advise, has been immeasurable.
