Good news and … bad?
Date: 7/8/04 at 6:10AM
The good news: I have found an expert. He does a lot of mitral valve repairs.
The “bad” news: He’s 150 miles away and wants more data, which means getting a trans-esophogeal echocardiogram (known as a TEE); and he wants it done locally there.
He is taking a conservative approach and is looking at conflicting data from the procedures done so far: there is severe regurgitation, but the hemodynamics (heart functioning) are normal. He says I’m a borderline case as far as surgical repair goes.
The issue here is just how bad is it? Is it manageable (medication and monitoring), or do the risks of not repairing it outweigh the risks of surgery?
So he sent me to another cardiologist for assessment and a TEE, which is scheduled for next week.
I asked them both: What is the threshhold you’re looking for? Reduced heart function, increased pulmonary involvement, atrial or ventrical enlargement?
Each responded: Let’s wait until we see the TEE. It will give us a very accurate picture of the actual condition of the valve. which may leave no question about surgery.
Me: And what if the situataion is the same?
Them: Then we will have a long discussion
And that’s where it stands: two more doctors and another procedure scheduled. 150 miles away.
