J Alexander's Posts

A little off the topic of importance - but I went to a high school reunion last night (weird time of the year for it) - but I did pepper select conversations with old acquaintances about my open heart surgery tales. It is interesting how universally the words "open heart surgery" instantly frame a sense of severity - even if there are no further details. Side bar - the men stood in clusters drinking while the women were the socially savvy ones !

Hi friends, I've been away and just wanted to say hello. It is nice to see some faces and names the conjure care, stability and wisdom ! (You all know who you are!) Just a nuts and bolts question. Here on the west coast - I've had trouble with echo continuity this year. Doctors outsourcing reading of echos - so different eyes with different measurments each time. Potential errors. My current cardiologist (frat boy from hell) refuses to read mine and has colleagues do it. I've challenged him to the point of it being contentious. So, I think he is "Fired"... I wonder if you all generally have readings and interpretations from your actual docs or is this an unfortunate trend ??

Hi friends and fellow warriors. Recently, I've shifted focus, by necessity, to a parent who has a rapidly worsening cardiac situation. Everything happened really fast and is still in the chaos and wet paint status - underdiagnosed, underrecognized and undertreated so far. They are 89 - so high up the age spectrum for interventions, but I am wondering the following: 1.) Anecdotally, what is the maximum age you have seen /heard patients get a Mitral Clip for moderate to severe regurgitation ? (I know the 80s are okay, but we're talking frail 90 here with comorbidities galore!) 2.) In the event the "do nothing" approach is the best option, I know we will need to add Beta Blockers and probably a diuretic to address leg swelling. Losartan is working well for blood pressure. Is there anything else I am missing drug-wise? I don't know a lot about heart failure drugs, yet. This is a bizarre moment for me to tackle valve disease head on again, but from the perspective of maximizing shorter term benefit while recognizing risk.... Thanks a million warriors...