In March 2019, media outlets hailed two new studies on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as potentially signaling the beginning of the end of open heart surgery for aortic stenosis. Perhaps a cardiac surgeon would be able to provide even more detailed information about things like various options for operation that might be applicable in your case as well as thoughts about when operation should be performed. . Does the BAV with aortic dilatation and small leakage prevent the blood to flow less efficiently? there was a tiny strand of tissue on the septal aspect of the muscular LOVT (LCOT Vmax 2.1m/sec;20mmHg peak gradient. Miley Cyrus - Singer & Actress - Tachycardia. Or usually lead a normal life? However, I always performed poorly when it came to the top end fitness tests e.g. Very helpful. My questions are: As a result, the valve doesn't function perfectly. On Monday the 13th, I had my annual echo. The rest of the aorta is normal (visualized to just above the bifurcation in the abdomen). The various artificial valves are a little bit less efficient that the valve were born with. Im not sure how those two problems would be related. My 25 year old son was just diagnosed with BAV AR (3+). We briefly talked about the Ross procedure vs mechanical valve replacement. I have also been advised that running intervals at over 80% max heart rate would not be sensible. It's the most common type of congenital heart disease (heart defect that's present at birth) and often goes unnoticed until later in life. I recently also did a 24hr EKG (holter) which was fine. Im not sure how you should best sort out the differing recommendations from your doctors. Thanks for the article! Onside rations would be needed for hose with Marfans syndrome or other diseases of the aorta. Im 33 from UK and have known about my BAV since I was around 18. For athletes who return to sport after AVR and aortic replacement, its important to settle on whats safe with your doctor(s) ahead of time. In short, is it too early for me to start talking to a surgeon to identify available options? Hello Dr. Creswell, BAV is one of the most common congenital heart conditions, occurring in about 2% of individuals. Routine endocarditis prophylaxis is . Ive seen several cardiologist and they are divided in recommendations. My father has struggled with heart disease since he was 50, and I lost him [in 2008].. Any words you have for us would be greatly appreciated. Is this a normal side effect of the heart condition or not? However, my surgeon told me that he could fit a tissue valve and so would not need to be on warfarin. Jeffrey Howell didn't know he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve until December 2015. At the age of 12, she had a procedure to widen her valve as her heart condition continued to have an impact. He told me to carry on as normal and to take 300mg Irbesartan per day. Thanks! Aortic stenosis has been reported to occur in as many as 72 percent of adults with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve, with peak incidence occurring in the 5th and 6th decades of life. This year he was told he couldnt do heavy lifting but all other sports are still ok. My son seems to sprain his ankles or have other injuries often that last longer than others kids, I also played sports and had injuries but they never lasted as long as his do. The 72-year-old soap oprea legend started feeling a tightness in her chest in Fall 2018, but waved it off until the end of October, when she had to be rushed to the hospital. The risk of BAV in children of parents with BAV is probably about 10%. The flaps are called cusps. They call this type of heart attack the Widow Maker," she wrote. I have normal aortic size, mildly dilated aortic sinus (39 cm), and trace aortic regurg. i.e. Having a congenital heart defect means you are born with a problem with the hearts structure. Hector V. Ive never heard about a mechanical aortic valve becoming loose because of high HR. In 1997, Dr. Starnes led a team of three surgeons who replaced the aortic valve in then-actor Arnold Schwarzeneggers heart. While she ended up being okay, she advised other women to be more cautious. Can you direct us to ANY research on the effect of endurance sports on AVR patients? I have 5 children, so I dont want to drop dead and leave my poor wife with them all to look after on her own. And, of course, aortic stenosis can affect ones native aortic valve or a prosthetic valve substitute. Hey is almost looking forward to getting it fixed. Hope to hear back soon. No LA, RA, RV, chamber dilation Interestingly, bicuspid valves are one of the most common forms of heart valve disease. My son is 12 years old. If echo shows a normal size, thats probably okay. I asked her about surgery. A normal aortic valve looks like the Mercedes logo, a circle broken up by three lines that meet in the middle. The HAART 200 is an innovative device that helps in the repair of BAV, allowing patients to avoid aortic valve replacement. What should i do? Ive a BAV with the fusion being between my right coronary and non-coronary leaflets. Still it puzzles me that for you as for me it seems to degrade more after the diagnosis for a condition we have since birth. Theres no reason to not be CPR certified.. Thanks very much. It would be great to know what happens to groups of patients after AVR and aortic replacement that have returned to their various sports. We use surveillance (you mention every 6 months) because usually problems with progressive enlargement of the aorta or with the valve itself can be picked up before there is any lasting harm. His story is typical. Unfortunatly that`s pretty much all the advice i`ve been given so far, so little out there on what i can actively do and what i can`t. Seven months ago I had emergency AVR due to a BAV that was severely compromised by endocarditis. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. The first pic showed the action and comedy legend in a supine position with a thumbs-up, while the next three featured a lovely autumn walk, taking in the sights. Replacement is much, much more common. Sbp. Very often, follow-up CT scans and echocardiograms are needed every 6-12 months to keep track. The exact cause of aortic enlargement in patients is not known. A bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital condition, meaning that people are born with two rather than the normal three cusps on their aortic valve. Hi Larry Some cardiologists tell me that I can run up to 130 beats per minute ; others say theyd prefer I do power walking because pressure always rises while running. Almost 15 years ago skilled surgeons replaced my aorta valve with a new replacement valve. We have made the decision to stop playing high school soccer and will reevaluate in 6 months to determine about Spring team soccer (less intense). My daughter has played two years of varsity basketball already. A few hours after helping the woman, she began to experience chest aches, soreness in both arms, nausea and clammy skin. Regards Either way I often think my cardiologist looks at me as if Im nuts and that my current 175 miles a week training should be thought of as beyond expectations post open heart surgery. While I do expect to have a replacement done later in life, the repair was the best decision I could have made. Thanks very much for this Dr, it is really helpful to get someone elses opinion on the subject and Ill definitely raise those points with my cardiologist next time we meet. No thrombus, vegetation were noted He was forced to stop playing football at 11. Rhm, 43, tragically lost two of her family members to heart issues. http://www.24hourgym.us. Im a 30 year old male who is currently living in Asia with family. In general, the larger (in diameter) the substitute valve is, the less aortic stenosis it will produce. So, my question then is really, what should I look out for? Is there any research on this? BAV is the most common cause of heart disease present at birth and affects approximately 1.3% of adults. Thank you for answering these questions. Im used to long runs up to 12 miles at an average 6 minute per mile pace as well as fast interval and farther training. Thanks for sharing an update. I have read that strength training is beneficial for heart health. For most athletes with only mild enlargement of the aorta and no problems with the aortic valve, there should be no activity restrictions. Bobbie. Ive done the Philly a Marathon a coup,e times and know that its a terrific event. Just double checking. Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. Ad Choices, Blood molecules as they exit the left ventricle: I'll be back., The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. Keep us posted! The procedure has the potential to bring the aorta to 4.3/4.4 and avoid further enlargement. ( I was much worse though). This is amplified when I sit with my feet up (male cross-legged) because of the tingling/numbness in feet. I like to thank you in advance for reviewing my question and also, thank you for such a great blog. Athletes should have detailed discussion with their doctors about any prudent limitations to exercise after operation and settle on a mutually agreeable plan. Anything you can offer up here would be very much appreciated. I have had scans and echos for as long as I can remember and have never been on medication nor has this condition stopped me from doing anything I have wanted. Do you opration? All rights reserved. He left it pretty vague. My performance as a cyclistgiven my ageputs me in the elite category, although with the stenosis I am experiencing a definite decline in performance. I have no proof this may be causing my less than stellar performance or if perhaps I should have more patience. Hello dear doctor. The star's mother, Rita Owens, was diagnosed with heart failure after passing out while teaching art at a New Jersey high school in 2004. And I took him for check up every year and nothing change and he never had any symptoms. Contact Editor. It seems to be a very interesting option for those who have aortic dilatation due to Marfan or BAV (which is my case). I now take diltiazem daily. I do not do any kind of sport and I want to have healthy life at make sure my situation not getting worse and I weight 90 kg. I applaud your efforts to search out information to help you decide on a course of action. Do you have a congenital heart defect? It was reported on April 5 that the 75-year-old Jagger underwent successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at an undisclosed hospital in New . I have appointment with a cardiologist on Friday but in the meantime i would like to know weather in case of surgery a replacement of the valve is definitely necessary or my condition still allows some options for a surgery without replacement. Search Heart Hospitals Robin Williams - Aortic Valve Replacement & Mitral Valve Repair. As chemist mostly works in a lab not in the field. I do think that this condition can weigh heavily on patients minds, though, and in your case perhaps particularly so because of the experience of your mother. In my early 40s I thought that I was getting out of breath more than I should and eventually began to feel weak or nervous during a game, but only on Sunday. In March 2018 he underwent emergency surgery to have this replacement valve replaced. We have decided to wait and watch. Your responses mean a lot to myself and no doubt others on this forum. Im 52 years old and had surgery 2.5 years ago to repair an ascending aortic aneurysm (5.8 cm) and aortic tissue valve replacement. Finally, athletes are not spared. I went through the regiment of meds that are prescribed post AFIB. Some people with bicuspid aortic valve will have symptoms in early childhood. When you start seeing changes with regurgitation does it progress quickly? I was training for 11th marathon at the time (over the past 13 years). She advised us we should start to consider surgery but would follow up with us again in 3 months. If he is a candidate for valve replacement are these sports he could ever return to In the best case scenario?