Two-year (almost) echo

[Adrienne]

I just had an echo this morning. I was originally supposed to have a cardio appointment two hours afterwards, but it has been postponed until October 29. However, what is good about the postponement is that the secretary worked my husband into the schedule 15 minutes after myself (he's been having bradycardia at times).

Well, what was really "neat" for me was that the technologist who had 9 years of experience was teaching the echo machine to a young resident doctor, so she explained just about everything, and, of course, my ears were perked up listening to everything. To make it brief, from what I can tell, everything has stayed stable since last year which is fantastic!! When the doctor that comes in afterwards looked at it, he reconfirmed that everything had stayed basically the same.

At first, my cardio had not even ordered an echo for me this year but only an appointment with him. When I said to the secretary that it would really be great if I could have an echo just to see if everything had remained stable, she asked the cardio, and he said O.K. I am very glad I asked. The first year after the operation, naturally, the heart is remodelling so there will be a lot of changes mostly for the better, but I find it important to see that it is now staying stable. Now, if I don't have an echo every year, it's O.K.

When I see my cardio at the end of October, I will get a copy of my echo report.

 

[Cooker]

Great news!! Wishing you many more years of unchanging reports!!!

 

[WayneGM]

Glad to hear the excellent news!!!! Wishing you the best for years to come.

 

[Bina]

Adrienne, I agree with a second echo being done. It de-stressed me.
I had an echo 3 mths postop and then again 19 mths after that one.

 

[pamela]

Since, in Canada, for my first AVR my surgeon was one of the first using the Medtronic Stentless Freestyle tissue valve and I was one of his first 50 patients to be implanted, I had tracking echoes at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and annually thereafter for 5 years post op. I was in my fifth post op year when I began having the same symptoms that had taken me to a cardiologist in the first place.

Later, after I found out that I had the pannus overgrowth, I learned that my echo reports weren't as rosy as the lack of information from my primary care physician had led me to believe. Follow up communication is something I cannot stress enough. If I had known about the stenosing, I definitely wouldn't have gone to the gym in an intense fitness training schedule, nor would I have been in the backwoods ER trying to tell a doctor that "No, my palpatations and PVCs aren't age related!" I was 45 years old at the time.

But, yes, I hope that most people would have the means and the access to at least annual echoes for the first 2 years post AVR. It is a reassurance and a very important early diagnostic tool. Apparently, the pannus was actually depositing late into my second year post op so, maybe, 3 years would be ideal. It would be lovely to convince all HMO's and medicare insurers to allow the third year claim.

Good luck for the future and BRAVO! on the good results this time, Adrienne. May you have all the living that you can get.

 

[Pegasus]

Really great news, Adrienne!!
My husband had an echo 1 week post-op, at 5 months and 1 year. We will ask for an echo next year and if that's the same, then go every couple years.
All the best to you and your husband
astrid

 

[Natanni]

What great news for your almost 2nd year valve birthday Had you not posted this, I may have missed Nathan's 2nd valve birthday tomorrow I would have loved to have been in on an echo with a student! Very exciting! As it is, I am a nurse and have not gone in on any of Nathan's echos since he has been at Mayo--my nervous energy is better spent at Star Bucks. When my then 9 year old was having her murmur echoed for bicuspid, I was horrid. I saw this huge upside down peace symbol staring back at me, and I wouldn't shut up. "Hey! Aren't there 3 leaflets there? WHAT?! You can't tell me? Isn't that what I am seeing???....." Well, you get the picture. I should have just sent Nathan but he was being echoed same time

Nathan had echos @ 3 months(remodeling) and 10 months(recovered).
I believe Nathan has to be followed with echos every year indefinately, due to his Dad's unspecific cardiomyopathy and also because his job is quite taxing on his heart.

Again, great to hear the wonderful news! Cheers

 

[Adrienne]

Thanks everyone, and happy valve birthday to your husband, Natanni.

 

[MaryC]

Congratulations on such good news, Adrienne. May you have many more echos just like it!

 

[dot4toto]

Congrates to you!!! Great news!!
I always hate those apointments because I worry before the tests when I don't even know anything yet (drives my hubby crazy)...

Then when the news is good I can kind of "put it away" for another year.
I rest a lot easier.
That's you now, rest easy, you're good!!!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Adrienne,

I expect that your Cardiologist will review your Echo and write his report within a week of your echo. You would probably be able to pick up (or have his records person) mail your report BEFORE your Oct. 29 meeting. This would allow you time to digest the information and prepare any questions or comments you might have.

FWIW, I always fill out an 'information request' the day of my Echo and ask that it be mailed within 2 weeks. It usually takes longer than that (HUGE practice, outside copy service), but that gives me leverage to ask to come and pick up a copy if I need it sooner.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Susan BAV]

Glad you got such good news, Adrienne.

I have my echo first--had the annual a little more than a week ago--and then I trot down the hall to the cardio's office and wait a little bit for my appointment; and after my visit with the cardio, I walk out of the office with a copy of the echo report in my hot little hand. I'm wild about this cardio I have.

Hope your husband is doing better. Take care. BTW - I always enjoy your pleasant posts.