When do you know?????

[rheumasu]

I was wondering when will I know when I will need surgery for my mitral valve?
I have 2+ regurgitation and was in constant a-fib with my last holter monitor. I am taking Rythmol SR now and the a-fib seems to be under control. I really do not have any symptoms,other than a little chest pain sometimes, but I have read that allot of people tolerate the symptoms and do not find out until they have had a stroke. My cardio says "within the next five years" or when you start having shortness of breath. I had my last echo in April and I am nervous of having only one a year. My valve was damaged from Rhuematic fever and I just want to know is there anything else I can do?or should do?

Susan

 

[Ross]

Susan I undeleted this to answer you. Only you know that your at work. No one else does.

If your regurg gets to +3, they will start doing echos every 6 months. I would think you've got a little ways to go yet. If you feel symptoms, get the Doc, but meanwhile try to relax as much as you can.

 

[Yaps]

The nasty thing about

The nasty thing about

mitral valves is , no chest pain.. I had angina from the blocked arteries, but according to my Drs mitral dosent cause pain,does cause sob, and fluid buildup in lungs(many pneumonia???) ...made sense to me because the pain developed quickly and still hasnt disspated.. love Yaps

 

[bvdr]

Susan, if you go to the "REFERENCE SOURCES" forum you will see "Must have references (or something worded similar to that)" and in there you will find ACC/AHA Guidelines to the Management of Valvular Heart Disease. The issue of when to intervene with surgery for mitral problems is listed there. If you don't already have these guidelines copied I would suggest you do so. It is on this same information many cardiologists are basing their decisions.

 

[geebee]

It is never comforting to hear you will need surgery in the future. However, it sounds like yours is a ways off. You should try not to worry about strokes since your afib is under control. I have constant afib and, since I am on coumadin, my cardio and I have decided not to treat it with meds. I just make sure my INR is where it needs to be. I mention that because, you also need to make sure your medicine is keeping the afib under control. If you do that, you should try to relax and realize your valve will most probably let you know when you need surgery. With a 2+ regurge, you are still in early stages.
Just have yearly echos and advise your cardio if you develop symptoms like shortness of breath.
Be sure and stay in touch on VR.com because you can get lots of help here.
Gina

 

[Harrybaby666]

A Question That I have been meaning to ask....

A Question That I have been meaning to ask....

Hi Gang,

I have been meaning to ask if anyone can tell me stages are for valve regurgitation...I guess I mean I have been hearing about +2 and +3, and I am wondering if anyone can explain to me what these mean? Thanks. Harrybaby666

 

[rheumasu]

Thank-you all for the responses. I am scheduled for another Echo on Jan 14,05 so I will see what happens then. My cardiologist said to me at my appointment on Friday that maybe I should get another cardiologist for my valve problem. He is an electrical guy, and is taking care of the medications for the a-fib. My PC is giving medicine for HBP, and I have decided to take the asperin on my own. I am going to see if I can get the echo rescheduled for the downtown Clev Clinic and get a "valve doc" to take a look at it.

Right now I am excersising daily, trying to lose 10lbs, and I feel pretty good.
I will keep you posted on the next echo.

I was told 2+ was moderate leakage, I also have 1+ of the tricuspid valve, and some dialation of the left vetrical. i guess I will sit back and RELAX!!!

Susan

 

[BillCobit]

Waiting for symptoms not always appropriate

Waiting for symptoms not always appropriate

Susan -

I second Betty's recommendation to read the "ACC/AHA Guidelines for Patients w/ Valvular Heart Disease." In some cases, onset of symptoms does not occur until after optimal time for surgery. I had a doc that told me no action was required until I had symptoms, but when I evaluated my echo results based on the Guidelines, it was apparent that I needed surgery sooner v. later (I got myself another doc after that discovery.)

 

[rheumasu]

Bill,

Who is your Dr at the clinic? My cardio is out of the Westlake office, but I thinkI would like to find someone from the Heart Center for the valve.

Susan

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The determining issues are different for mitral valves vs aortic valves. Best to get a cardiologist who is well versed in valve issues.

For aortic patients, I usually suggest letting a SURGEON decide because they tend to want to operate BEFORE there is permanent damage to the heart muscles and walls.

I'm not sure how much of an issue this is with mitral leakage, but it is probably a good idea to find a surgeon you like before you come to the critical stage.

'AL'

 

[BillCobit]

CC Surgeon

CC Surgeon

Bill,

Who is your Dr at the clinic? My cardio is out of the Westlake office, but I thinkI would like to find someone from the Heart Center for the valve.

Susan

Sue -

I don't have a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. I self-referred as an out-of-state patient. My surgeon was Marc Gillinov. I got contact info from the appointment web site:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/appointment/default.asp

 

[bvdr]

Harry,

Valve regurgitation is graded from Trace to 1+, 2+,3+ and the greatest being 4+. I read a while back to what percentages of back-flow the numbers correspond but I've forgotten. I think determining if something is mild, moderate, or severe is based on these percentages as well as the personal interpretation of the doctor. For instance a 2+ might be called mild by one but perhaps mild/moderate or even moderate by another.

Trace can be called normal since even strong healthy hearts may have "a little".