echo frequency post surgery

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L

lynn

Hi guys,

Long time no chat! Got a quick question, I'm coming up on 2 years post surgery (time flies) and the last echo I had was in March of 2007. My cardio says he doesn't think I need one till March of 2009. I'm pushing for before the end of the year because of my deductible.

I actually thought we should have one yearly....what are you guys doing?
 
Post surgery, my cardio told me once a year. I've had two since my February surgery but he was being cautious about symptoms I was having.
 
Well, just got a call from the cardio, he will do an echo only when I have symptoms! :(
 
I have one once a year; sometimes two, but I have symptoms.;)
If you had an aneurysm repair, it's incomprehensible to think that the cardio would only do one if you were having symptoms. :eek: That sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
 
For 25 years, I had an Echo every two years then when my valves started showing signs of stress, I started having one every year. Now, I'm having one every 6 months due to the state of my mitral valve.

If you've not having any problems, an Echo every year is probably the norm.
 
Hi Lynn.

I had one a year post op and the cardio had actually said, only if YOU want one. Then last April I was having some wierd symptoms so we had one at the 2 year check up. The echo tech practically scolded me because my valve and heart were so perfect...like why was I wasting his time. I'm sure at this point, I won't ask for one at the 3 year check up and I'll let her have a listen first before I go "demanding" an echo. They can generally tell a lot by listening. With my bicuspid aortic, pre-stenosis, I was supposed to have an echo every 5 years or so. I guess I'll just get back on that schedule now.

Since you've had some issues along the way, I would certainly think an echo would be logical for your peace of mind. Then again, if you feel good, you're probably fine!! :)

Let us know.

Marguerite
 
Yearly Echo

Yearly Echo

Albert received his St. Jude's mitral valve in October 1990. Since then he has had an Echo once a year. His doctor is in a practice of 16-18 doctors. It is their policy to do an Echo yearly, unless one is called for more often.
Regards,
Blanche
 
Hi Lynn,
You might want to check the ACC/AHA guidelines on management of valvular patients: http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/48/3/e1?ct and search on "9.3 Follow-Up Visits". Try to determine which description fits your history, and if the frequency differs, ask your doctor.
I'm under the impression that I'll be having one yearly anyway, but don't have much of a post-surgery history yet (to respond to your original question;))
 
I have an echo every time I go for my annual followup with my ACHD cardio. I have yet to have any problems with my insurance company paying for it. What's the use of going for followups with your cardio if they can't get a good look at your valves? Now I can see some patients that are stable with no other contributing factors go to a biannual followup with echo, but I can't imagine a cardio telling me he/she will only do an echo if I'm having symptoms. I would fire them on the spot and find a new cardio.
 
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