valve replacement for 82 y.o. mother

[kare6789]

We were shocked to learn last night that our dear mother has severe calcific aortic stenosis. A cardiology consult is recommended ASAP. My mom is sharp as a tack but frail, and I can't imagine that she can endure surgery for a valve replacement. She had radical mastectomy 18 months ago although all 9 lymph nodes were negative for cancer so no further treatment. She is a primary caregiver for my dad who is 83 and has short term memory problems and a few other miscellaneous health issues.

Another question: mom had severe chest pain on August 8th which resolved after a few hours and she did not go to doc until Sept 23. When they did the echocardiogram would they be able to tell if she had a heart attack? I'm told her blood tests results this week were all within normal limits.

She denies syncope or other episodes of chest pain. She has had numbness and tingling in arms and legs which we have attributed to her anxiety. She denies shortness of breath but is very easily fatigued.

Also what testing will she have now to determine if she is a candidate for valve replavement?

Thanks in advance for your replies. This is scarey!

Kare6789

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome- I'm sorry that your mother's problem has brought you here, but I hope we can help you both. How was it discovered that she has aortic stenosis- was an echo-cardiogram performed? She will need an echo and possibly a TEE. The first matter of business should be a consult with a cardio and then maybe a surgeon. There are many older people that go through aortic valve replacement just fine and they are also doing it in some major teaching hospitals by catheter for patients who cannot have surgery. Are you anywhere near the Mayo Clinic?
I'm sure many people will be along to assure you and assist you. Stick with us and I hope we help you both.

 

[Ross]

So long as mom is in semi decent health otherwise, she should be fine with AVR surgery. The real problem is, is if she does nothing. Pretty well guarantee she won't be around much longer unless it's fixed.

It's hard with older folks because it's more of a quality of life issue then most anything else. If the quality of her life now is satisfactory to her and she doesn't want the surgery, then there isn't alot you can do about it. Having the surgery isn't going to guarantee other things won't go wrong causing other problems that affect her quality of life, but the odds are very much in her favor for a full recovery.

A heart attack will show up in the blood tests.

 

[kare6789]

Thank you to Ross and Phyllis. Can someone explain a TEE? Also my nurse friend mentioned a CAT scan with angiography. Will she have that?
_______________________
Severe calcific aortic stenosis 82y.o.mother
Karen from Minnesota

 

[Adrienne]

Thank you to Ross and Phyllis. Can someone explain a TEE? Also my nurse friend mentioned a CAT scan with angiography. Will she have that?
_______________________
Severe calcific aortic stenosis 82y.o.mother
Karen from Minnesota

A TEE is a trans esophogeal echocardiogram. They use some "guck" that you have to gargle and swallow to numb your esophogus, then they put a scope down your throat and do the echo (which is a sonogram of the heart) very close to the heart and can see more detail than with a TTE (trans thoracic echocardiogram). Oh, they give you a sedative beforehand.

I think almost everyone has the angiogram. Some people also have a CT scan.

 

[Roger Frank]

I received this in my Google alert today...

http://www.theheart.org/article/907725.do

 

[hall]

My father-in -law had a valve replacement in his 80s and he was fine. Best of luck to your mom.

 

[pamela]

So long as mom is in semi decent health otherwise, she should be fine with AVR surgery. The real problem is, is if she does nothing. Pretty well guarantee she won't be around much longer unless it's fixed.

It's hard with older folks because it's more of a quality of life issue then most anything else. If the quality of her life now is satisfactory to her and she doesn't want the surgery, then there isn't alot you can do about it. Having the surgery isn't going to guarantee other things won't go wrong causing other problems that affect her quality of life, but the odds are very much in her favor for a full recovery.

A heart attack will show up in the blood tests.

Bolding in this quote is mine. Ross, CK enzyme levels return to normal in 24 to 36 hours. The other less utilized test, looks for enzymes that return to normal in 10 to 14 days although if the attack was large and left untreated for a long time then the markers may show up later than that.