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

Hello. I am a new member here. I have a question with regards to this topic. Can multiple or frequent PVCs (Premature Ventricular Complex) be a definite cause for a diagnosis of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation?

I know of a person who has been experiencing fatigue and weakness with shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness on the chest. The person (47 yr. old female) had recently taken an EKG and was found to have multiple PVCs. A 2D Echo was also done and one of the results was having "Trivial Tricuspid Regurgitation", with the rest of the findings being normal.

So my question is, are they or can they be related? I know arrhythmia is with the electrical conduction and the regurgitation, I would think is more on the physiology of the part (valve).

I am very much interested because I am a recent BSN graduate with EKG Monitoring studies..and reviewing for my NCLEX exam.
Your reply will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Hello @pambulan Welcome!I saw your question and didn't want you to go without a connection to someone. I am not a Dr., I do have Mitral Valve Prolapse with PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) and runs of Tachycardia. When you said your friend had multiple PVC's, could that mean Multifocal PVC's? They are really nasty, put me in the ER a couple of times. They can certainly cause symptoms and so can multiple runs of PVC's. To answer your question if PVC's and Valve regurgitation are related I would say definitely. The particular valve, the cause and the severity would be important I would think. Sorry I can't help with your exam but I hope you do well and I hope your friend is doing well also.vdouglas

Welcome back Vdouglas. Glad you jumped in here.

I had rheumatic fever when I was 12 years old. I am now 72. The pediatrician who treated me for the rheumatic fever said I had a heart murmur. Since then some doctors have said they have heard a murmur. Most have not heard anything. Because of the rheumatic fever and the doctors hearing a murmur, I have had two echocardiograms over the last 20 years. Both times I have been told I had mild mitral valve regurgitation. There were no recommendations of follow-up. I have had not other signs of heart problems. The last echo cardiogram one was probably 10 years ago. Is this something that should be followed up on regularly as I age? If so, how often. I also have Type II diabetes.

Welcome @jannyw. How often to have a follow-up to monitor a mild mitral valve regurgitation is a good question to ask your doctor. Every case is different, and your age and other conditions will also play a factor in determining the frequency. Do you go for a general annual or bi-annual check-up?

@vdouglas @grandma47 @cynaburst @mikkeleo can you share with Janny how often you go for follow-up appointments to monitor your heart condition?

I see my doctor every year for an echo and exam. I would suspect you should go that often to see if anything has changed. I would schedule a follow up now (ask your GP for a referral to a cardiologist) and ask the doc how often you should be seen.

Thanks for the help. Because of my diabetes. I see my doctor at least every six months. I will talk to him about the need for an echocardiogram the next time I see him.

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?

Hi, @rd4610, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you joined us. Sounds like you've had some frustrating experiences along the way in getting treatment for your degenerative mitral valve disease and regurgitation.

I have moved your post over to this discussion about mitral valve and regurgitation so that you can meet some of the members here who have discussed this topic. I’d also like to introduce you to a few other members who might provide insight from their heart experiences. Please meet @bjanderson @tomonthebeach @carnes @lyndylou @frande @dave2455 @shakuni11 @ch246cf10 @lizm53 @tavrm, and volunteer mentors @hopeful33250 and @predictable. @yoanne and @punkin53 may also have some thoughts for you.

How are you feeling these days?

Hello @rd4610,

Welcome to Connect; I can imagine your frustration, and how upset you must be!

First, here’s some information about mitral valve repair from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/annuloplasty/gnc-20302476
Doctors at Mayo Clinic perform the most current procedures for mitral valve repair; you can also read about Mayo Clinic's approach, here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mitral-valve-repair-mitral-valve-replacement/details/mayo-clinic-approach/orc-20301779

There are several discussions happening on Connect about Mitral Valve prolapse and repair which you may wish to view:
– Mitral valve prolapse/regurgitation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mitroh-valve-prolapse-regergitation/
– Mitral Valve & Tricuspid valve regurgitation: when to see a cardiologist? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosised-with-mitral-valve-and-tricuspid-insufficiency-i-have/
– Mitral valve repair https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-just-joined-the-mayo-clinic-connect-and-want-to-say-hello-i/

I’d also like to introduce you to a few members in these discussion; please meet @grandmajan @mikkeleo @jannyw @sdann777 @lamborama @yoanne @petersen73 @topaz @frande and Mentor @vdouglas. I’m confident they will join in with their insights and share their experiences to help you figure things out.

@rd4610, have you asked the surgeon for an explanation? You mentioned having an MI; did you have any symptoms? We/re glad you've joined Connect and look forward to getting to know you better.