Some valve leakage; I dont know what to think!

[Arnold Ziffel]

I was told by my cardio at 6 weeks post op that everything is looking good, but he hears a little bit of leakage. When I heard this I was devastated, and asked him to explain this. He said its nothing to worry about. I dont know about this, he made it sound like no big deal.

I asked him if that means that I will need to have the valve replaced again due to the leakage, and not due to the end of the valves life. He assurred me this wouldnt be the case, but I will always have this lingering in the back of my mind.

Has anyone found this out in their own situation, and have any thoughts?
Thanks, Steve

 

[geebee]

I have always had some leakage with both my mechanical mitral valves (the Bjork-Shiley and the St. Jude that replaced it). This seems to be a very normal thing so try not to worry about it. I am sure your cardio will let you know if there is every a reason to worry.

 

[Tom F.]

Relax, after a valve repair I have a little bit as well, and I have been told time and again that it is of no concern.

 

[Karlynn]

I'll echo Geebee and say that it's not unusual for valves to have some leakage after surgery. Many leaks "seal up". Some don't, but at Geebee said, it's not always a guaranteed trip to the OR.

Hope you are feeling a little better about this.

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

I do feel a bit better now, thanks everyone. It was just a bit difficult to swallow when I first heard it. It was kind of like when I failed my first stress echo and the dr said dont worry, its like the check engine light on your cars dash flickering.
I told him that was a poor analogy because I am a mechanic by trade and if a warning lite is coming on, there is something definitely wrong.

 

[Adrienne]

From various articles I have read on the Internet, I have a feeling over half the world population has at least one mildly leaking valve and they don't even know it. So, a very mild leak really is O.K.

 

[Nan]

Hi, Yes, I con't think it is htat unusual to have some leaking around a valve replacement. I have had some around my aortic valve replacement for a while.

Take care and be well.

 

[MikeHeim]

I don't have much to add, but I did want to mention that I do have a small amount of leakage as well (post-repair). I was devastated when I was told this as well, but through I similar post I found out that it was completely normal. The important thing is that leakage after valve surgery should not get any worse. In other words post-op leakage is not usually degenerative the way that pre-op leakage is. As long as it is mild, it shouldn't ever cause any problems.

 

[alex c.]

Boy am I glad this thread was brought up. 3 weeks post op, I met with my general physician and he told me he still heard a murmur or leak. I was like WHAT!?! I thought that was the reason I had the surgery. I was devastated also. He also told me, it was nothing to really worry about. I was like yeah right, but I guess if you guys say its really not bad, I'm ok with it. I really trust this forum, more than my own doctor really.

 

[Adrienne]

I didn't mention this on my other post on this thread, but when I got out of the hospital, the echo showed NO regurgitation of my newly repaired mitral valve. When I had the echo this past September, it showed mild (or trivial) regurgitation. Both the cardiologist who who looks at the echo and my cardiologist said that was nothing to worry about. Although I already new that trivial regurgitation is nothing to worry about, what does worry me a bit is that it went from NO regurgitation to trivial. As long as it stays at trivial, that's fine, but I certainly don't want it to get worse. Since my surgeon said he would see me every year at the valve clinic, I plan to make an appointment with him just to see what he says.

 

[Der Biermeister]

Arnold
Perfectly normal.
I had the same thing and it actually causes a degree of "murmor". WHOA - that's a cuss word for us with a valve history. But your operation needs time to heal and close up the suture sites, etc. Give it time - you are going to be fine. BTW, your new valve will always sound different -- i.e., a murmor.

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

Another thing I will worry about is I need to hold a commercial drivers license for my job. Every two years I have to go to this contractual clinic and they give me the worst pyhsical I have ever seen.
If they hear a murmur they will make a big deal about it. 2 years ago they heard one and thats how all this started, this time I will bring in a note from my dr and a copy of my post op echo.

 

[DeWayne]

I had "leakage" of my aortic valve for 47 years prior to my July surgery.
It was always there after my first surgery, and my cardiologist said if it had just been the valve I would not have needed surgery yet. Darn aneurysm anyhow.