I too had a congenital bicusip aortic valve. A heart murmur was mentioned to me in my 20's by my OB-GYN. Not much said about it. Then in my late 40's, my then GYN mentioned the murmur again and suggested that I say something to my primary physician. He referred me to my present cardiologist at the Sanger Clinic in Charlotte. After an echo, he did a TEE to determine the cause of the leaking valve.
I had an annual echo for four years. There was a gradual enlarging of my left ventricle, but I guess I got very complacent before my annual checkup. So it was rather a shock last summer when he said it was indeed much worse. My surgeon, Dr. Larry Watts, said I might wait a few years for surgery but my overall health would surely decline and the surgery would be riskier. I didn't get any other opinions going on his and the Sanger Clinic's reputation. So at 54, I now have my super duper leaking St. Jude valve. Can't wait until Nov. when I see my cardiologist again. He wants to do an echo every six months and a TEE yearly to watch my loose stitch!! I really hate the TEE's. The first one I had, there was not enough medication. So when my cardio wanted to do one this May, he promised to do better. I remember nothing. Just the way I like it. Just hate missing a whole day of work plus dragging my husband along to get me home.
Well, obviously, congenital bicuspid valves are not rare.
Paula G.
St. Jude AVR
08-21-01