Thomas's Profile

I was first diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse in 1984, when I was 20 (I'm 54 now). I have been asymptomatic with no restrictions and no treatment (other than antibiotics for dental work). As an adult, I have had periodic ultrasounds to confirm valve function, showing regurgitation growing over time but stable. As of May 2018, however, a trans-thoracic echo shows the mitral regurgitation is severe, there appears to be a ruptured chord on the valve, and there is a flail leaflet. The measurements on TTE show pulmonary hypertension. Those are indicators for surgery. I have just some shortness of breath, so not very symptomatic; but pneumonia last summer and shortness of breath since was probably all caused by chord rupture. Cardiologist and surgeon at Northwestern say I'm an obvious candidate for valve repair. Angiogram on 6/29 ruled out the need for any coronary artery work, so my 7/17 surgery will be mitral valve repair only.