Echo at two-year anniversary

[George in Denver]

I am almost at two years post surgery, when I received an On-x aortic valve that seems to be working just fine. My cardiologist suggested I don't need an echo this year (had one at my one-year anniversary, and all looked good). Question is, have others with the On-X valve gotten different advice about whether an echo is advisable in the second year. Haven't been here for a while--hope everyone is well.

 

[DachsieMom]

I think I am a bit of an outlier, but my surgeon plans to do a CT scan every 2 years. I think I will have an echo every few years.

 

[jwinter]

I haven't seen a surgeon more than once after each of my valve replacements. The surgeons referred me to a cardiologist. Both cardiologists I have had requested echos done twice a year. I think they all may use different protocols.

 

[dick0236]

I've had Echos since they where first introduced and the timing has been every two years.

 

[pellicle]

My valve is ATS, but I think they are similar. I understand that the frequency of checks is based on you and the results. If things are good I've been told in the past to come back in 2 years, and at times I've left it for 3 even 10.

 

[jwinter]

Wow, good deal! Maybe I can skip a few of those I have been getting as most are the same results each time.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Wow, good deal! Maybe I can skip a few of those I have been getting as most are the same results each time.

Assuming you meant me, I guess it's good to get a good hand dealt in the game sometimes. I guess I was lucky between my 1992 surgery and the 2012 surgery that my homograft did so well. Initially it was yearly (there were no cardiologists back then) checkups with the surgeon (free public hospital outpatients) involving X-Ray, ECG and (in later years) ultrasound. This then progressed to every two years, then I went and stretched it by living in Japan for 3 (making it 5 that time). When I got back I had a checkups and was told all good, see you in 2 years, so decided that if I didn't feel wrong why night. I went to Korea for half a year then Finland for 5 and had a checkup done when we came back to Australia, because things felt amiss.

Turns out that the valve was starting to show issues (so I'd picked it) but they discovered the aneurysm and I had OHS within 3 months.

Just so as you don't think there was some extra special treatment, I sort of did my own thing there at one stage.

In some ways I'm glad I didn't know about the aneurysm earlier cos my lovely wife would have freaked, and there would have been less sled pulling ski trips to the wilds and she'd have been stressed...

 

[pellicle]

oops ... hit post afraid to edit

Maybe I can skip a few of those I have been getting as most are the same results each time.

perhaps, its entirely your call. If there are no changes then perhaps why not? The counter argument is that as you age the likelihood of no changes diminishes ... so there's that.

From what I (only recently) know you've been though a lot with cancer treatments which (having had a few friends do I know to be) are bloody hard. I know to be tough physically and mentally. I can only say that quality of life is important and a lot depends on your personality type (prefer to know or prefer not to know). Sometimes knowing you need to know makes it more sensible to check more often (for peace of mind).

Here in Australia its all gone private lately (with public being destroyed by the push to private) and if you don't go yearly it becomes a pain in the arse to keep getting a referral from a GP (Doctor) to see a specialist (like a cardio), even though he knows your history and was there at the beginning ... we have a system called "indefinite" referrals but some times secretaries don't "tick the box" on the form and they say "oh no, you only had a one year referral" ...

Anyway, hope you're doing well.

 

[Warrick]

St Jude but
I had an echo at 10 months after surgery in september 2016 and got told see you in 5 years so its 2021 for me...

 

[jwinter]

Sorry George if I got this a bit off topic but I learned a lot here also. Pellicle, I have no cancers (at this time) but have had biopsies from other issues I have.

My first valve, porcine, was followed with twice a year check ups, including echos BUT it also was done 3 months before I was diagnosed with that valve completely stenosed, My best guess is my body yelled at me and did a better job than all those tests and check ups.

George, our valve stories are similar and my On-X was put in November 1, 2016. I can see going along with what the others posted here and your cardiologist stated. I have had some rough days with other issues but want to tell you my heart and valve have been tested to the max and every doc I have seen has said it really does it's job well.

 

[tom in MO]

I have a St. Jude AVR. My cardio told me insurance would pay for one prophylactic echo every 2-5 years. I had the first done at the 2 year and since it was good to go, will wait for 4-5 years for the next.

 

[George in Denver]

Thanks for the helpful replies, everyone. Happy to follow my cardiologist's rec now that I've heard you thoughts.