I am from the UK
I had Mitral Valve Repair 3 years ago
at that time the Echo result was Functionally normal mitral valve with trivial mitral regurgitation and a mean trans-valvular gradient of 4mmHg .Left Ventricular function is mildly impaired with an ejection factor of 45-50% with Doppler evidence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction Other valves and the right Heart are structually and functionally normal with no evidence of Pulmonary Aterial Hypertension.
The Recent Echo my Cardiologist is happy with the result and explains it is very good result:
Mitral Valve repair is functioning well with trivial mitral
regurgitation an a means trans-valvular gradient of 8mmHg
Left ventricle is dimensionally normal with preserved left ventricle systolic
function and Doppler evidence of Mild Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction.
Other Valves are structurally and functionally normal also as is Right Heart.
Although i have been reassured this is normal Echo i am concerned as Mild Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction from reading about it (LVDD) and what has been explained to me so far from Other cardiologist in the USA it looks like it is a problem, from asking advice on a website in the USA,Its confusing that my Consultant Cardiologist says theres no problem with Echo.
Should i get a second Opinion or another Echo?
Thanks for any help.
I suppose depends on whether you have been back to your UK cardiologist and told him/her what you have been told/read online, if you have and they have not been able to explain the reasons they have given you this diagnosis then I would probably look for a second opinion, a human face to face one if that's possible, can I ask if the cardiologists who has told you that your result's are incorrect was your USA Dr who knows your condition or a paid site
Hi AlexandriaGizmo
thanks for taking time to reply
the Cardiologist's i contacted were
on a american health site with virtual
practice where they charge a fee and but like myself can ask
free question with 150 characters only .Also a another free site in USA
and this cardiologist now retired and
volantary
worker answering questions who explained could be CAD or High BP
which i dont think i have cause of stiffening of the left ventricular causing the diastolic dysfunction
or maybe caused by something else!
although he mentioned like my Cardiologist mentioned ECHO was stable and good!
so am still rather confused.
thanks for your help
If it was me I would much sooner ring your cardiologists and get appointment, I'm a bit wary of taking advice from a medical person that doesn't have all my details in front of them, report's etc, I think if your consultant says your fine I believe you are, they have to much to lose nowadays to get major things wrong, go get your mind settled
Hi again AlexandriaGizmo
i got a reply from my Cardiologist
who explained as i had a Mitral Repair
the Intraventicular Septum invariably
develops an unusual but characteristic pattern of movement
which gives impression that function of the heart is not as good as it was before the operation .I get your point about giving all medical history to work with on websites ,good point too the USA website i use does ask for this but maybe with the replies they may only scan over the free questions medical history each time
as the Cardiologist's that answered me all explained grade dysfunction
but my Cardiologist and one internal medicine doctor from USA
nailed it as he explained in his reply the exact same view as my Cardiologist of an ECHO can be interpreted differently for a person
after Mitral Valve Repair which i found
very interesting.Thanks for your helpful support
No problem, also once your repair is done your life expectancy goes back to normal, reason I know this is because I have just spent some time studying this subject.
Yes very interesting subject too glad you
have been able to study it too.
I started some reaserch just after i had the shock of finding out i had a heart murmur thankfully from my visit to GP and using a stethoscsope .My wife thankfully nagged me about my cough when laying down at night to visit GP .I was found to have mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation i was referred to a Surgeon that didnt do a great deal
of Mitral valve repairs but in other areas a very good heart surgeon.
I decided to disagree with my Cardiologist because he was trying to get me seen faster which i do understand his care and understanding of my situation but once i had the medication i was quite stable Asymtomatic so changed another Surgeon and transfered on to the waiting list of a high volume mitral valve surgeon who was doing around
90 mitral valve procedures a year.All this information is available on website UK SCTS where you can see stats for each Heart Surgeon .There is also a top Heart Surgeon on there that is mostly only does Mitral Valve Repairs.
These Heart Surgeons in the UK are very approachable very helpful and amazing professionals that answer your emails ,the top surgeons in the USA all replied to me too on subjects
on Betablockers and clinical evidence for taking them after The Repair,
and oral health importance .It was down to my wifes persistance on pushing me to go and see GP was very good luck.There is certainly lots to read on the subject and i have also learned a lot and am still learning now.
Thank-you for explaining your findings too which i am very grateful to you
best of luck and good health to you
thanks for your time.
What i meant to say was there is no
clinical trials or evidence for taking betablockers 3-6 months after the mitral valve repair operation so i decided to taper off them.as stopping abruply is dangerous .But this is something that should be discussed with the Cardiologist as it may
not suit everyone because betablockers do help the heart to relax
and slow the heart rate down.