Kathleen's Profile

I am a 41 year old wife and mother to 4 children. 2 boys and 2 girls ages 12, 8, 4, & 2. We live in Saint Augustine, FL. My 4 year old daughter also has a BAV that was found at 7 months through an echo for a murmur. This next year I will have my other children checked as well. Last year September I went in for a checkup as I was feeling an unhealthy tired. Not a mom to 4 tired. It was hard to explain. My blood pressure was pretty high and my Dr heard a murmur I never had before. She ran an EKG and it was abnormal. So she sent me to the cardiologist. After several tests we discovered I have a Bicuspid Aortic Valve. It had a moderate to severe leak. My aortic root was dilated to 4.2cm and my left ventricle was at a 45% ejection fraction. So I went back in 6m and everything was approx the same so I got another 6 months. Dr ran an echo and sent me for heart cath. After the echo the Dr called, this time my regurgitation was severe, ejection fraction 35-40% and my cardiologist was concerned about the size my heart being so large now. So he added a TEE to the heart cath. That was Oct 14th. My cardiologist referred me that day. I had a surgeon consultation on Oct 28th with the surgeon I was referred and a week later I scheduled surgery for Nov 12. *update* 8 weeks post op and my bovine tissue valve is doing great. Not even a tiny leak and heat enlargement is down. However my cardiomyopathy is worse with my ejection fraction now at 30-35%. One side of my heart is barely pumping. So looking into either a pacemaker or defibrillator. Appt the end of Jan. to discuss.