Anna's Profile

Hello, My name is Anna I am 69 years old. I have had mitral valve prolapse my whole life and have been getting regular echos for the last 12 years for mild mitral valve regurgitation. I am also being treated for PVCs which started in mid 2022 following a Covid infection. Took Diltiazem until 11/23, then switched to a beta blocker - Nebivolol. This past March I had some mild shortness of breath when exercising and went through a gamut of testing. An echocardiogram showed ejection fraction was significantly reduced 35-4o%, though stress test showed normal at 59% and MUGA scan 56%. CCTA showed no CAD. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, thought to be from a myocarditis infection, which I don’t recall ever having. I was put on Entresto, but am now taking Valsartan along with Nebivolol. In my quest to find out what was causing my persistent PVCs and the LVEF, I sought opinions from a heart failure specialist at Cleveland Clinic as well as a local Electrophysiologist. I recently had a cardiac MRI that showed mild to moderate regurgitation in mitral valve and moderate regurgitation in aortic valve (18%). However my primary cardiologist wanted to double check with a TEE that I had done just 2 days ago. I don’t have the transcribed report yet, but right after the procedure, my cardiologist told my husband that both valves were “moderate to severe” and suggested I see a surgeon at University of Michigan. Needless to say I am still shocked, trying to process all of this. I’ve actually been feeling pretty good and I was told my LVEF is now 55%. Though the valve issue was reported as “rheumatic valve disease” on the first echo in March, it wasn’t really addressed until this week when I had the TEE. I have appointments lined up with CC & U of M to discuss surgery options. Update as of 9-13-24. Met with U of Michigan surgeon who said he looked at the TEE that was done on 7/31, (interpreted by Ascension cardiologist as “ mitral valve moderate/severe with multiple jets and an eccentric jet”) - and felt mitral valve was more moderate, not severe enough for surgery “at this time”. He ordered a stress echo because I am experiencing symptoms of shortness of breath with exercise. I had this done and was unable to finish it due to “leg fatigue” but they were able to get good pictures and results said “mild regurgitation” at rest, and “moderate” with stress/exercise. Aortic valve was moderate. Ejection fraction is 51% and left atrium is slightly enlarged. For another opinion, I had also scheduled a follow up with Cleveland Clinic and will be getting another TEE there later this month. I hope their assessment of results are the same. But now I have another issue- my knees! Severe osteoarthritis has taken its toll and picks a prime time to give me a major flare up 😞. I’ve been getting both cortisone and HA gel injections for over two years that have helped a lot. However, this last set has done nothing! I figured after 4 weeks, the shots would kick in, but this week the pain got much worse, and I have to use my arms to crawl up stairs, ugh. I would have had my knee (one at a time only) replaced early this year, but 3 doctors told me to hold off due to my newly discovered heart issues this year. What a mess I’m in now, even if I got clearance today to have TKR, they won’t do for at least 3 months after getting injections!! Has anyone been in a similar situation? Has anyone had a non cardiac surgery soon before, or shortly after heart valve surgery?