HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Leak In Mechanical Aortic Valve. Taken Echo. Go For Valve Replacement Surgery?

My cardiologist just informed me that I have a small leak in my mechanical aortic valve. He said that an echo- I had last year showed the leak but that a recent echo- showed no change in the leak. He doesn't seem to be too concerned with this issue and says that we will keep a watchful eye on it. I am 63 years old and my valve replacement surgery was done in 2003. I would appreciate any thoughts you could share on this matter.
Fri, 3 May 2013
Report Abuse
Cardiologist,  's  Response
Dear Sir/Madam
Thanks for your query to HCMagic.
All prosthetic heart valves have some degree of leak. There are different characteristics of leak in different valves. Since your leakage is constant (not increasing) and your cardiologist also is not bothered, probably you have a normal/physiological leakage. The characteristic of normal leakage are small jets, usually central, do not increase on follow-up and in most cases not "Paravalvular" except for first few months. You must not be having any symptoms also.
I hope you got some insight into your case.
Feel free to discuss further
sincerely
sukhvinder singh
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Valve replacement


Loading Online Doctors....
Leak In Mechanical Aortic Valve. Taken Echo. Go For Valve Replacement Surgery?

Dear Sir/Madam Thanks for your query to HCMagic. All prosthetic heart valves have some degree of leak. There are different characteristics of leak in different valves. Since your leakage is constant (not increasing) and your cardiologist also is not bothered, probably you have a normal/physiological leakage. The characteristic of normal leakage are small jets, usually central, do not increase on follow-up and in most cases not Paravalvular except for first few months. You must not be having any symptoms also. I hope you got some insight into your case. Feel free to discuss further sincerely sukhvinder singh