6 mos post-op MVR: Meeting with Surgeon

[deek]

I'm 6 mos post mitral valve repair and will be meeting with my surgeon this week regarding my sternum wires and having them removed. But I also have other concerns and wonder what I should be asking him. My latest echo (week ago) indicated moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation (this was trace pre-op), stage 3 diastolic dysfunction/heart failure, mild AR, moderate pulmonary hypertension and severe "uncontrolable" hypertension (170/100 - 255/155). I'm also seeing a hypertension specialist but none of the medications he has me on have helped control my bp thus far. I am very concerned, as I know the BP is just exasberating all these other issues. Any suggestions? I want to take advantage of this meeting with him and am not entirely sure what I should be asking? I suppose I probably should add that I'm still struggling with shortness of breath, fatigue, congestion, edema and tachycardia. I've been told not to worry about any of this until I was 6 months post-op....well, now I am, and there has been no change except for my blood pressure, which is extremely high again. My diastolic BP has been very high, 130-155, and my hypertension specialist has taken a very passive approach to this.

Thanks so much for any advise you can give. Dee

 

[Duffey]

Dee,
I think you outlined your concerns very well in your post. Have you considered jotting down a shortened version and reading from it when you have your appointment?
I had a return visit nearly two years after surgery with my surgeon, and I was very frank with the questions I asked. Will the surgeon have a copy of your echo and the report? He might want to verify on his own the results you've been told.
Good luck, and I hope you keep us informed as to what's determined after the appointment.

 

[Lynlw]

Have you seen a PH specialist yet? I think THAT might help with some of your concerns if you can get a handle on the PH. BTW FWIW before Justin has his pulm valve conduit repalced/opened he has trouble with the triscuspid valve, because blood is backing up from the right ventricle. When his pulmonary is open and his pressure goes back down, his triscuspid valve goes close to normal

 

[njean]

Hi Dee & I'm sorry to hear that you are still having so many issues. After my 3rd OHS, I had very similar issues too & here is what the drs did & it relieved or did away with a lot of my stuff:

After my surgery, I was put on Toprol XL but I could simply not tolerate it at all. My BP was all over the place, I still had CHF symptoms, felt fatigued, blah, blah, blah. So, the dr here took me off the Toprol & put me on Altace. I noticed the difference right away, like night & day. Now, I am taking Revatio for my Pulmonary Hypertension & that too has helped me tremendously. You might mention these two drugs to your dr -- I'm not saying that this will work for you but it's worth a try.

Good luck to you & let us know the outcome of your visit.