Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Okay. It’s time for some good ole’ heart valve trivia.

The question is, “How many people are diagnosed with heart valve disease each year in the United States?”

a. 300,000 people
b. 500,000 people
c. 3,000,000 people
d. 5,000,000 people
e. 30,000,000 people

To see the answer, scroll below the picture of the diseased mitral valve leaflets:

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I just received a great, follow-up question about medical tests used to diagnose heart valve disease from Sophie.

Sophie writes, “Adam - Thanks for the recent blog about cardiac MRIs and echocardiograms. Unfortunately, my aortic regurgitation continues to become more severe. It looks like I’ll need surgery soon. To better diagnose it, I’ve been told I may need a transesophageal echocardiogram. Can you tell me what happens during a TEE? Is it painful? Thanks, Sophie”

To help Sophie better understand what happens during a transesophageal echocardiogram, I was super lucky to find an educational video that details this medical examination used to help diagnose heart valve disease.

If you have never heard the term before, a transesophageal echo uses an ultrasound transducer that is positioned on an endoscope and guided down the patient’s throat into the esophagus (the “food pipe” leading from the mouth into the stomach). The TEE test provides a close look at the heart’s valves and chambers, without interference from the ribs or lungs. TEE is often used when the results from standard echo tests are not sufficient, or when your doctor wants a closer look at your heart, according to The Cleveland Clinic.

I hope that helps Sophie (and perhaps you) learn a little more about transesophageal echocardiograms.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

Through your stories and my ongoing research, I have learned that properly diagnosing heart valve disease can be tricky. That said, I always encourage patients to get a second opinion prior to any surgical treatment (if possible).

However, Gregg just sent me an interesting question about the use of M.R.I.’s as a diagnostic tool for valvular disorders. [If you have never seen an M.R.I. of the human heart before, please see below… Can you identify the two valves that are opening-and-closing in this image?]

M.R.I. of the Human Heart

Gregg writes, “Hi Adam -  Having been diagnosed with a bicuspid valve and an enlarged aorta, I am scheduled for a follow-up echocardiogram this month to determine if there have been any changes to my current condition. My question to you is whether an echo is okay or should I get an MRI?  I ask this because during a consult with a surgeon - who is well known for his work in valve repair and valve replacement - he recommended an M.R.I. as a more thorough test.  I am curious to know what you and your readers think? Thanks. Gregg”

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Jimmy just sent me a great question about the use of medications to treat heart valve disease.

He writes, “Adam - On Friday, I was diagnosed with severe regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse. I’ve been short of breath for sometime but had no idea it was due to a heart valve problem. My cardiologist thinks I need a valve replacement within the next six months. I’m shocked and in ‘Why Me?’ mode right now. Given my disbelief, I’m curious to know if there are any medications that can treat heart valve disease? As you may have guessed, I’m not very excited about open heart surgery. Any thoughts? Thanks, Jimmy”

I have to admit… Jimmy’s question just brought back a memory. It was November, 2005 when my cardiologist at the time, Dr. Bad Bedside Manner, informed me (i) that my aortic stenosis was now severe, (ii) that my heart was dilated and (iii) that I needed open heart surgery soon.

I’ll never forget that uncomfortable moment.

I’ll also never forget one of the first questions I asked the stoic doctor, “Can we treat this with medication?”

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