moderate mitral valve reguritation

[elway14]

I am 42 years old and was diagnosed a few years ago with mild valve reguritation. Just recently I had another echo cardiogram and now have moderate valve reguritation. Is this going to continue to get worse?. I  also have pvc;s and low blood pressure, which Im not sure is related or not. I have to get another echo cardiogram in 6 months. My question is this only going to get worse and will I eventually going to need surgery? Thank you.

[elway14]

Hi,
no i didnt have rhuematic fever, or any of the above. Just something I have and its my mitral valve, not the aortic. I  have been tested for auto immune disease and it was negative.

[ed34]

I think that many cardiologists are altering their ways of thinking with valves these days. Your Cardiologist is probably one of those due to wanting a scan in 6 months (very wise). The reason for this? well, there are many cases where progression from mild to moderate takes a fairly long time, however, moderate to severe can be very quick and the cardiologist is finding himself dealing with a defective valve AND heart failure. If the cardiologist waits a year, and it goes severe, you may not feel any symptoms as your heart enlarges to compensate. Then the area around the valve is all mishaped, making repair or replacement an absolute nightmare and probably needing further surgery to rectify the valve as the heart shrinks back down. Do you know the cause for your heart valve to leak? Medications (as already stated) can help, but it depends on the cause and this obviously decides which medication to use.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

It depends on which valve is leaking.  The Aortic valve needs replacement, sooner than any of the other valves.  Normally valves takes a long time to deteriorate and moderate regurg should still be checked with annual echo's.

You become a candidate for surgery when your heart function deteriorates, heart enlarges, low LVEF, signs of heart failure or pulmonary hypertention.  The leak is graded from 1-6.  That is the amount of blood pumping back into the Atrium.  Moderate will be Grade 3-4.

Did you have Rheumatic fever as a child?  Endocarditis?  or have you been diagnosed with Barlow's Syndrome?

[jbriau]

It probably will.  It can be controlled with medication.  Having echos every 6 months is a great way to monitor your valve.