1. < Heart & Blood Health

Mitral Valve & Tricuspid valve regurgitation: when to see a cardiologist?

Posted by mikkeleo @mikkeleo, Apr 6, 2016

I was just diagnosised with Mitral Valve and tricuspid insufficiency. I have had symptoms of fatigue, heart flutters, lightheadness, and one time passed out. Some discomfort in my left chest side area, sharp. Not all the time. My Dr. Told me this is common and we will recheck in 5 yrs. Im nervous to wait that long. What should i do? I cant stop thinking about this.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mikkeleo

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littlet65 | @littlet65 | Nov 22, 2022
In reply to @rd4610 "anyone here with degenerative mitral valve disease & severe regurgitation have a repair without the surgeon..." + (show)
@rd4610

anyone here with degenerative mitral valve disease & severe regurgitation have a repair without the surgeon putting an annular ring on?

I just received a copy of my op report after having my surgery a year ago and was very surprised at what I read.

1st of all, My Surgeon said YES, he put an annular ring in my heart however the Op report tells me a different story!

Per the op report, he sewed the ring in, repaired the valve, took me off bypass, restarted my heart and then did a tee test. They said they noticed ring was causing mitral stenosis so they put me back on bypass, stopped my heart again an then removed the ring.

He never told me about any of this and he flat out lied with the answer when he said Yes, I have a ring. I am a bit stunned and don't understand why he would lie to both my husband and I about it.

Is this common to do a repair without the ring?
**Did your surgeon sew in a ring or not?

I am wondering how long my replacement will last especially if it continues to degenerate. I just changed insurance companies so I have to go see a new cardiologist so I will get a professional answer but just wondering what you all think?

UPDATE Nov 18 : Just got results of my EKG and 1 year echo and it shows that I had a small MI and I am back to having a prolapse with severe regurgitation.

We are thinking that the ring he first sewed on that caused the "Stenosis/restriction" caused a lack of blood flow to part of my heart and caused the death of that tissue. Now I am facing surgery again. Going to see a new cardiologist and will use a different surgeon. Just wondering what your thoughts are?

Jump to this post

I find it sad, and very disheartening when a doctor feels the need to lie to their patient, it's happened to me, a couple of times, once a huge lie, or omission! I'm glad you are seeing a new surgeon. I'm sure it will be better for you and your family in the future! Any added stress, when it comes to your health, esp. your heart, can't be good! Wishing you the best, I hope the new Dr. or Dr's get you back to less stress & more healthy!

REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Nov 23, 2022
In reply to @rd4610 "anyone here with degenerative mitral valve disease & severe regurgitation have a repair without the surgeon..." + (show)
@rd4610

anyone here with degenerative mitral valve disease & severe regurgitation have a repair without the surgeon putting an annular ring on?

I just received a copy of my op report after having my surgery a year ago and was very surprised at what I read.

1st of all, My Surgeon said YES, he put an annular ring in my heart however the Op report tells me a different story!

Per the op report, he sewed the ring in, repaired the valve, took me off bypass, restarted my heart and then did a tee test. They said they noticed ring was causing mitral stenosis so they put me back on bypass, stopped my heart again an then removed the ring.

He never told me about any of this and he flat out lied with the answer when he said Yes, I have a ring. I am a bit stunned and don't understand why he would lie to both my husband and I about it.

Is this common to do a repair without the ring?
**Did your surgeon sew in a ring or not?

I am wondering how long my replacement will last especially if it continues to degenerate. I just changed insurance companies so I have to go see a new cardiologist so I will get a professional answer but just wondering what you all think?

UPDATE Nov 18 : Just got results of my EKG and 1 year echo and it shows that I had a small MI and I am back to having a prolapse with severe regurgitation.

We are thinking that the ring he first sewed on that caused the "Stenosis/restriction" caused a lack of blood flow to part of my heart and caused the death of that tissue. Now I am facing surgery again. Going to see a new cardiologist and will use a different surgeon. Just wondering what your thoughts are?

Jump to this post

Hi @rd4610, After reading your post I looked up the cards I have for what devices were implanted after my mitral valve repair in 2019. I had an annuloplasty ring and an AtriClip. I had some complications after surgery, fluid buildup, and some afib, but those resolved and after a recent checkup I do not need an echocardiagram again for a while.
How disheartening for you to have to go through this gruelling surgery again!
You probably have recourse to complain, if you have the energy for it, to a board at the hospital or state since, from what you describe, your surgeon may have violated some code of ethics. Maybe your new insurance company will challenge the first surgery.
I wish you the best through all this.

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