Mechanical Valve Regurgitation?

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R

RandyL

I wonder if someone could steer me in the right direction to find some info on the net about mech valves leakage ie. what the causes are? do the leaks always go from moderate to worst, is OHS inevitable, etc. I have looked all day and can't find any info.
Thanks
 
Sorry Randy I dont have any info to share..
but I am curious too, and will be watching to see what information gets posted about this.
 
Mechanical leaks are usually around where the valve ring is sewn in. When patients require a mechanial redo. Say 30 years after the first. It's not that the valve has worn out. It is usually the area where the valve was sewn in.

Mine happened to show a smaller peri-valvular leak at 2 o'clock post op echo. Location was where the valve was sewn in. They were concerned initially...watched it closley with echos every 6 months for 2 years. My 3 year echo showed no leak. Tissue has grown over the area and closed it up. Great news! I am also 7-1/2 years post op!:D

Randy....is your current valve compromised? Hope you find this info useful.

Here is a link for the CCF forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/34532a.html
 
Sorry to be so long getting back to you Randy. My valve installed on may 5 showed leakage in aug. They found it on a TEE + 4 regurg ..they felt it was coming from the sutures which turned out to be the fact. new valve installed Sept 5 went from a 23mm ATS to a 21mmm ATS. They took an echo two weeks later and so far so good...now they say I have Hemolysis that may be caused by this valve licing my red blood cells ...but still testing on that
 
My God Wayne! You sure are having a tough time becoming friends with your new valve. Thanks for getting back with me. I have a mild leak at my sew ring but a moderate to severe leak at the valve itself. I spent an hour on the phone today with a very nice fellow from St Jude explaining to me what the 2 problems could be:

1. He said there he could be a blood clot even though the TEE did not detect one.

2. There could be a piece of tissue left from the valve surgery preventing the valve from closing all the way. He said he had never heard of Scar Tissue forming in 7-8 months after surgery over the valve.

I have an appt. with the Surgeon that did the AVR tomorrow at 10AM, we will see what he has to say.

I sure hope things get better for you Wayne, it's definately time for you to start getting on with your recovery. Good Luck and God Speed
 
I was wonderring if it could be a clot, but wasn't sure if that could cause regurge. i know a little guy that got a clot in his valve shortly after he got the valve, but his completely blocked blood from getting thru
I hope you BOTH, get some good news soon it has just been more than enough streak of bad luck , Lyn
 
Wayne, I've been looking on the web for you trying to find something that might help but you are right, there isn't much out there.

I don't think I would feel real good about having the same surgeon working on me again. I just think he might have already had enough trys.
 
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