right AV valve?

[Curtsmum]

I received a copy of the letter today that the consultant sent to the hospital.
I only read through it propally this evening. Iam going to ring the consultant tomorrow when i get back from work. I know you are not doctors and can't tell me for sure but just wondered if any body can help?

It says that there is moderate left AV valve regurgitation with significant left AV stenosis - this bit i understand and knew about.

there is right AV valve regurgitation??? - does this mean the Aortic valve? as i know the left side is mitral.

It also mentions tricuspid regurgitation 3.5-3.7m/sec

 

[Ross]

I'm confused too. Google isn't working for me now. Is it working for anyone else?

 

[Curtsmum]

I'am on dial up at the moment so my computer is running really slow. I am not all that good with them either and can never find anything im looking for and my head is all over the place at the moment, can't even think straight.

 

[Ross]

Take a break dear. I know you want answers, but you need to relax a bit first. I'm still trying.

 

[Curtsmum]

I have added the last bit to see if it makes any more sence?

The echo showed significant dilatation of the right ventricle that in long axis measured 3.9cm. Paradoxical motion of the intra-ventricular septum - there is a right AV valve regurgitation,Doppler velocity of>4m/sec. There is a moderate left AV valve regurgitation with significant left av valve stenosis ( reaching 3m/sec)

In reaction to his deterioration ( i assessed him in mid-november 2007 and at that time the left AV valve inflow was not>2.4m/sec and the tricuspid regurgitation jet was not>3.5-3.7m/sec and preserved ventricular function.

??? maybe this is just doctor talk i have no idea?

 

[Ross]

I'm almost positive they're talking about Atrioventricle between chambers of the heart, but I'm not completely positive.

 

[Phyllis]

Here's what I found- not sure if it is relevant:

Using Doppler echocardiography, the prevalence of tricuspid and pulmonary valve regurgitation was determined prospectively in 173 normal children, aged 8.3 ± 2.7 (range 5?14) years. Pulmonary regurgitation was defined as a red-yellow or mosaic coloured regurgitant flow, continuing to end-diastole with continuous-wave Doppler. It was found in 84% of the children. Tricuspid regurgitation was defined as a blue-green or mosaic coloured regurgitant flow from the tricuspid valve into the right atrium lasting > 0.5 systole, as determined by continuous-wave Doppler. Tricuspid regurgitation was present in only 8% of the children. Tricuspid regurgitation flow of very short duration, considered to be due to valve closure, was found in 75%. No effect of age, presence of a vibratory innocent heart murmur or gender on the prcvalence of right-sided valvular regurgitation could be demonstrated. All regurgitations were haemodynamically insignificant. Thus right-sided valvular regurgitation in normal schoolchildren is a normal physiological finding with relatively high prevalence. In the absence of functional reasons for these regurgitations and in the absence of structural pulmonary or tricuspid valve disease, these signals should be considered physiological in order lo avoid iatrogenic heart disease.

 

[Curtsmum]

So i can calm down now, thanks all, his Aortic valve is fine then. I still don't get the rest of it. Im a bit thick

 

[Curtsmum]

I'am confussed again. I know he is in some form of heart failure as he has been put on Furosemide and spironolactone. Doe's the tricuspid valve have surgery or will it fix itsself when the mitral valve is repaired or replaced. I can never understand the doctors terms of writen information. Thanks.

 

[lynnconnolly]

there is right AV valve regurgitation??? - does this mean the Aortic valve? as i know the left side is mitral

Hi Paula, aortic valve regurgitation is what I have too, as well as mitral regurgitation. I can't swear to how right this is, but if the report says aortic valve regurgitation, then the following, as far as I know, applies.

Both relate to left-sided heart failure as well as right-sided heart failure. I have left-sided. Does Curt get leg or ankle or abdomen swelling?

If you go to my site, www.lynnconnolly.co.uk and click on 'my illnesses' you'll see a diagram. It shows the position of the aortic valve in relation to the rest of the heart. It is basically not that different to mitral regurgitation. That said, during surgery, it's often the case that they'll replace the aortic valve rather than try to repair it, and at the same time, try to repair rather than replace the mitral valve. I can't comment on the tricuspid issue as I don't personally know about that, but I do know that my cardiologist said that my heart failure was because of the mitral valve primarily. It's that which 'set off' the aortic valve regurgitation. In surgery, it's just unfortunate that the aortic valve historically doesn't respond as well to repair as the mitral valve does.

If I was pushed, I'd say that Curt's aortic valve problem has arisen because of the knock-on effect of his mitral valve going wrong. This was the case with me. BUT, if you don't understand what they are saying, ring them or go to your GP and say to him 'look, I don't know what this means. Tell me the bottom line and how does this affect Curt'.

Often, they won't volunteer information for fear of upsetting you, but if you ask the question, they'll answer it honestly. They are legally obliged to. Not knowing is the worst of it. Once you know and understand, I bet you it won't be so scary.

Lynn

 

[Curtsmum]

Not meaning to confuse you or make you worry more - trying to give you some description of the term you gave
bicuspidboy, thanks for the info i feel better, i will write a list and ask all the questions tomorrow.

Lynn, thankyou for going into detail but the report doesn't say Aortic valve regurgitation, it says right AV regurgitation which i had mistaken for the Aortic valve.

 

[kfay]

Paula, They do perform surgery on the tricuspid valve...I just had it. It accounts for around 10% of all valve surgeries. They can be repaired alot of the time, however, mine couldn't and so they replaced it with a porcine. They don't like to use mechanicals for tricuspids because the chance of blood clots on them is much greater in that position. I looked at my echo from before my surgery to see how my numbers compare to your son's because my regrug. was considered severe. However, I'm not going to post them because I'm not sure how they are read or how an adults compare to a childs and I don't want to cause you any more stress. Paula, I feel certain that whatever they decide needs to be fixed will all be taken care of when they get in there. Good luck to you and I feel confident that Curt will come through all of this just fine.

Kim

 

[Curtsmum]

Thanks Kim.

I get it now. So when i speak to consultant, i need to find out how bad the tricuspid regurgitation is and wether it will repair itself when they repair/replace his mitral valve.

Thankyou everyone for the quick responses.

 

[Susan BAV]

...Thankyou everyone for the quick responses.

It's truly amazing, isn't it Paula? Best wishes to you and your boy, Curt .

 

[Curtsmum]

I spoke with the cardiac laision nurse and she said it will all be part of Curts condition and that the tricuspid valve will have always had some form of leak and that it will more than likely correct its self, when the Mitral valve is repaired/replaced

 

[Emma]

Hiya, Sorry I've only just seen this...

Chloe had the AV valve regurg after her repair for her complete AVSD too and still has it to an extent.

The AV valve in this case is the mitral and/or tricuspid valve - both of which are affected in AVSD complete. I know Curt has the partial AVSD but it will still be one of these valves which they mean.

Before Clo's repair she had a 'common AV valve' which meant they were merged together and the surgeon had to separate them to create the left and right when he went in for repair.

I'm no doctor but I am pretty much certain it has nothing to do with the aortic.

Lots of love
Emma
xxx