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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Mitral Regurgitation, Tricuspid Regurgitation

Member Since: May 19, 2016

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Chris Giunta posted an update

7 months ago (October 30, 2025)

I am 73 years old and 15 years post AVR. As a result of a TEE I just found out my 21mm bovine valve has severe stenosis. In addition, my tricuspid valve has severe regurgitation and possibly the same with the mitral. Because my original replacement is so small and... Read more.

Pamela Gregory

Hi Chris. I had a 23mm valve placed into an Aortic Root Replacement. I also was asymptomatic till a few months before my surgery 3 years ago. Let me know if you have any questions I could try to answer❤️

Chris Giunta posted an update

8 years ago (May 31, 2018)

I am 8 yrs. post aortic valve replacement. I elected to have a tissue valve. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with a fib and put on Xarelto. All of the commercials & pkg. insert say "not for people with artificial heart valves." I called Janssen and talked to several... Read more.

Kelly Stoll

Hi Chris. This actually came up in my appointment with my GP yesterday. I have an Ony- X valve and we were discussing my long-term need for blood thinners. He suggested that Warfrain, in my case, is recommended because while there are newer medications available (like Xalrelto), they haven't done... Read more.

Chris Giunta posted an update

10 years ago (May 19, 2016)

Has any one with AVR had trouble getting insurance approval for echocardiograms? I am 5 yrs. post-op and all of a sudden I've been getting denied. I would think just the fact that I have an artificial valve is enough of a reason but apparently because there has been no... Read more.

Franklin Wyrick

Wow! I never thought they would deny an echo for an avr patient.

Joanna Prisiajniouk

Is it the deductible factor that needs to be satisfied first?

Nap Garcia

Are they declining coverage before you have the echo done? Or did you have the echo done already and they are denying coverage and therefore sticking you with the bill? I hope it would be the earlier, at least denying before the procedure. And is the provider notifying you of... Read more.

Cathleen Weed

HMO or PPO? That's ridiculous. I get one every year. I have a PPO.

Jean Raber

Sometimes it depends on how your doc writes the order or if he's ordering one more than once a year. Call the doctor's office and see if they will go to bat for you. I also have BCBS, am on an HMO. My cardio stuff gets covered, but my oncologist... Read more.

Lilly Black

I would absolutely follow up with that! My PPO plan writes it up as preventative like when you would get mammogram. I get an Echo every year, $0.00. My plan is United Healthcare PPO. I hope you get it figured out!

Nap Garcia

I wonder if anyone had difficulty getting a surgery pre-certified. Would hope those who have severe cases where repair or replacement is needed it wouldn't be an issue with insurance, as surgery is 10 to 20 times more costly than an echo I would imagine.

Chris Giunta

I was declined before having it done, so went a year without one. I have BC/BS PPO and up until 2 years ago was getting them annually with no problem. I was told it was denied because it wasn't medically necessary since the cardiologist wrote there was no change in... Read more.

Jean Raber

Chris, I would call the cardiologist's office and explain the problem. There's probably a way he can write the order to indicate that this is a "degenerating condition" or something. Damn red tape, grumble, mutter, grouse ...

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