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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation

Member Since: May 24, 2016

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Brian Rota posted an update

8 years ago (January 16, 2018)

A little relieved I thought today's visit was going to be one where it was time to see a surgeon. My numbers didn't change so he told me we will do it again in 6 months.

👍 Civita Fahey, Phyllis Petersen and reacted to this

Civita Fahey

8 years ago (January 16, 2018)

Good to hear Brian.. !

Soggy Rodent

8 years ago (January 17, 2018)

It always seemed weird to me that they wouldn't do the surgery before the heart enlarged. It's yet another thing to deal with during ur recovery. It drove me insane! Hang tough Brian :)

Barbara Laurie

8 years ago (January 17, 2018)

Surgeons and cardiologists certainly disagree and, because Cardiologists are the gatekeepers to the surgical team, well, they are very conservative at suggesting going to a surgeon. My heart was very enlarged, and my surgeon was frustrated I hadn't gotten in years sooner, but it was what it was!

Brian Rota

8 years ago (January 17, 2018)

Thank you, my numbers have not changed since they found out about the leak almost 2 years ago. No symptoms and EF is good.

Barbara Laurie

8 years ago (January 17, 2018)

That's great Brian, Best Wishes things stay stable! 💕

Brian Rota posted an update

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Hello I just came from my cardiologist he said my heart has increased in size a little in the last 6 months. He wants to see me again in 6 months and he thinks at that time it will be time to talk to a surgeon. All of my numbers... Read more.

Joey Hardee

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Hey Brian - Sorry you are dealing with this. I am also in line to have aortic valve repair or replacement in the future for my bicuspid valve. Before I came to this site, I didn't even know repair might be a possible option for me (and it might not)... Read more.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Thank you I will look up dr steward. I don't mind traveling for this if I can get what I want. My concern is the first two weeks not being home.

Barbara Wood

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Hi Brian, I had my mitral valve repaired by Dr Reed Quinn in Portland ME a few weeks ago. My cardiology team thought it was too badly damaged & would have to be replaced, then someone mentioned that Dr Quinn might be able to do a repair. I was so... Read more.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Thank you I will add it to my list i have just started.

Steve Farthing

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

If you find a doc willing to attempt an aortic valve repair, don't forget to ask what the chances are the repair is not durable or that you eventually will need the valve replaced. Good info to know in advance.

Civita Fahey

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Hi Brian. Try Dr Prem Shaker at the Brigham. He's the chief of cardiac surgery and his CV has a lot of info on repair work. He did my surgery and he was awesome

Laura Jacobs

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Hi Brian, Like Civita, I had my surgery at Brigham and Women's and had a great experience. I had a different surgeon - Dr. Marc Pelletier and he was awesome too. Repair was not an option for me as the valve was severely stenotic.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (July 11, 2017)

Thank you both Brigham is probably my first choice. My cardiologist seemed to say to me that repairs are not that common?

Marie Myers

9 years ago (July 12, 2017)

When researching my options for my bicuspid valve, it seemed like replacement was far more common than repair. My surgeon gave me Dr Bavaria's name ( in Philly) for repair options, along with Dr David in Toronto who seems to be the top dog in aortic valve repairs.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (July 12, 2017)

Dr Bavaria seems to show up a lot in repair surgeons. I wonder if this is who my cardiologist was thinking of.

Civita Fahey

9 years ago (July 12, 2017)

I was told that repairs weren't common for bicuspid valves also.. usually when they get to the point where you need surgery, they are pretty stenosed.. but you should explore your options. There are great surgeons and hospitals here in the Boston area and as I was told by most... Read more.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (July 12, 2017)

I will thank you. I now have 3 people at Brighams to talk to.

Kathy Blank

9 years ago (July 13, 2017)

I recommend getting several surgical consults for sure!

Brian Rota posted an update

9 years ago (December 6, 2016)

Had a six month echo to see if my aortic regurgitation is progressing. Got another six month until my next checkup. My Dr mentioned my LV may have gone up a little in size by .2 cm but could be the differences in techs and my EF is at 60%... Read more.

👍 Cathleen Weed reacted to this

Stephanie Jones

9 years ago (December 6, 2016)

Are you mild, moderate or severe?

Stephanie Jones

9 years ago (December 6, 2016)

Echos vary from tech to tech. Luckily i had a tee which shows a much clearer picture proving the severity level of my leak, because the echo techs at my presurgery testing couldnt find the leak at all. Took a 4th doctor to find it. I explain here: https://youtu.be/qFW66ey68OM

Mitral Valve Repair Surgery - 11 Surgery consult & pretesting

Brian Rota

9 years ago (December 7, 2016)

They say severe, but my TEE earlier this year was more moderate even though my first echo six months showed severe. Dr is telling me I am not ready for surgery yet.

Civita Fahey

9 years ago (December 7, 2016)

Hi Brian Im from Topsfield.. did your doctor tell you go to a surgeon> Im moderate/severe by echo, no TEE, but my doc told me that I would need surgery in 6 months to a year, that was last April I've gone to the Brigham for a consult and he... Read more.

Brian Rota

9 years ago (December 7, 2016)

No he says not ready for surgeon yet. They go by a 5 /50 rule he said. My heart is keeping up with it and not growing yet. I will send you an email.

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