Thank you so much for your post. I, too, had rheumatic fever. It's been 5 years since my surgery receiving an Edwards tissue valve. I've had to take Cardizem ...Read more
Thank you so much for your post. I, too, had rheumatic fever. It's been 5 years since my surgery receiving an Edwards tissue valve. I've had to take Cardizem daily to slow my heart rate since they said during surgery they decided against ablation. I am 69 and am very thankful to be alive!
Dear Leslie- thanks for such a quick reply! I have only generally “lurked” here and did not fill out a profile yet so I’ll provide a little background. ...Read more
Dear Leslie- thanks for such a quick reply! I have only generally “lurked” here and did not fill out a profile yet so I’ll provide a little background. I am only 8 weeks post surgery. I apparently had rheumatic fever as a child and had zero symptoms until shortness of breath in October. I am 65 and very healthy so it was a total shock. Went to University of Pennsylvania Hospital for the surgery 12/11. I have an Edwards bovine valve. At my 5 week post- surgery appointment, the surgeon cleared me for all activity and said all looked great from the chest x-rays. After an echocardiogram on 1/8, my cardiologist said the gradients were not ideal. She called the surgeon and he said the valve was functioning properly. I have an appointment with my cardiologist 2/19 and a repeat echocardiogram to see if it was just an error. I will keep you posted after the visit. No one has even remotely mentioned a re-do but I am concerned. Thank you again and I am so happy that you are doing well! Warmest wishes - Mary
Leslie Jackson That sounds exactly like my situation... Rheumatic Fever but never had symptoms or ever knew... No id ... Read more
Leslie Jackson That sounds exactly like my situation... Rheumatic Fever but never had symptoms or ever knew... No idea until heart problems started. Which was my blood pressure dropped, heart rate spiked, soon after I started having the feet swelling and feeling like I couldn't breathe while laying down. Some time post op I had an echo that showed abnormal numbers as far as ejection fraction. They did a TEE and a CAT scan and finally determined I was actually fine. Perhaps my anatomy had changed and was hard to see? The ejection fraction seems to vary. And as I said here it is years later and I am doing great. I suppose it's better to be cautious but just don't be overly scared until the surgeon and cardiologist agree and are on the same page.
Mary Newman Hi Leslie- just wanted to let you know that all seems to be well. The cardiologist says that there ar ... Read more
Mary Newman Hi Leslie- just wanted to let you know that all seems to be well. The cardiologist says that there are gradient ranges specified by the device manufacturer for each type of replacement valve and as long as I am in that range, I am fine. My first echo showed that I was not in that range but the second one showed that I am. Not sure if the first was just a mistake but according to the cardiologist, at this time there is no need to worry. Thank you again for your comforting response! Best wishes to you and yours.
Leslie- I am having the same issue with gradients being too high after mitral valve replacement. Can you let me know what eventually happened and if you had ...Read more
Leslie- I am having the same issue with gradients being too high after mitral valve replacement. Can you let me know what eventually happened and if you had to undergo surgery again? Thank you and hope you are well! Mary
Leslie Jackson Hi Mary. I should have updated this years ago.... I tend to write when things are wrong but not when ... Read more
Leslie Jackson Hi Mary. I should have updated this years ago.... I tend to write when things are wrong but not when things are good. I did not have to have a 2nd surgery. After having a whole bunch of testing, my Cardiologist and Surgeon didn't agree on things. In the end my blood flow is fine. I can't remember what my last echo numbers were. I'm probably due for another. But I'm totally fine. That being said...in October 2017 I had to have an ablation. I kept having episodes of rapid abnormal heart rate. It started happening more often. It was managed with medication for a while. Then I would have to have a cardioversion. They think this happened due to the MAZE procedure they did at the time of my valve replacement. Perhaps some scar tissue formed and caused the electrical currents to bounce around incorrectly. I have not had any episodes since the ablation. I was able to stop taking Multaq and Cartizem. So I'm still alive and kicking and doing well. My Cardiologist told me back when I started having issues a 2nd time that I will likely have hiccups here and there throughout my lifetime because of the damage that was done to my heart before the valve replacement. But it should all be manageable. I hope things go well for you and I am very interested in what happens with you. The doctors really scared me back when all of that was going on and then acted like it wasn't that big of a deal. It was pretty annoying. I've learned not to freak out initial over test results. Please keep me posted.
Leslie, maybe wait till you have more info. , it may be nothing the surgeon did or did not do. Further testing may show no problem? Had mitral valve repair ...Read more
Leslie, maybe wait till you have more info. , it may be nothing the surgeon did or did not do. Further testing may show no problem? Had mitral valve repair 2/13/13, doing well now. Loyd Howle , Arizona
Re using the same surgeon a 2nd time...in a large sense, the advice of getting second opinions may well apply here. Personally, I was referred to allegedly ...Read more
Re using the same surgeon a 2nd time...in a large sense, the advice of getting second opinions may well apply here. Personally, I was referred to allegedly the best or one of the best \"in town\". I got out of town 2nd opinion, in my case Cleveland Cinic, Columbia U, and U of Maryland and was glad I did. I had to travel far from Albuquerque for my OHS, and was glad I did. ...Barry on the mtn in NM
Hi Leslie,
Here\'s hoping that the results of your next echo say you don\'t need a redo.Try to think positive and stay strong,as much as possible, Leslie. I\'m ...Read more
Hi Leslie,
Here\'s hoping that the results of your next echo say you don\'t need a redo.Try to think positive and stay strong,as much as possible, Leslie. I\'m sending lots of positive vibes and tons of prayers your way.Wishing you the very best....
Al Zebal AVR,Maze 1/17/13
Hi Leslie,
You might want to look up Chris Hanson\'s journal and try to contact him. He had to have his redone also.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.....I ...Read more
Hi Leslie,
You might want to look up Chris Hanson\'s journal and try to contact him. He had to have his redone also.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.....I can\'t even imagine what you must be going through.
Deb Z
I am from: Asheville, North Carolina
