Tricuspid regurgitation and mitral valve regurgitation and afib

[Sunnyann]

Just had the results of my exho and inhave moderate mitral valve regurgitation and moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation to. I had the echo because I am experiencing breathlessness.

However the letter said there was nothing on my scan that would cause breathlessness. I was under the impression that these leaky valves can cause breathlessness. Am I wrong?

I'm very worried as nobody has explained any of this to me and it was just sent in a letter .

Do I need treatment for these leaky valves.

I'm awaiting a 2nd ablation for the afib in January will thus help the valve leaking issue does anybody know?

Thanks all

[10gingercats]

I am not a doctor but my experience of my own massively non functioning tricuspid valve is that it may not cause breathelessness.I am only breatheless when i have fluid around my heart or in my lungs which happens infrequently. If they decide to fix your Mitral valve they may also do the tricuspid valve.The tri. Valve is not usually fixed on its own or so I was told by my cardios. surgeon.

[AussieHeart]

I think the key word here is moderate. My sister had the same as you but hers was severe and surgery was offered. I’d have a chat to see if it’s an option. She luckily had surgery from the right side of her ribs (not open surgery) and recovered in days. They did her ablation at the same time. From what I know it’s the afib behind breathlessness.

[2learn]

Hi, as others say think its AF causing breathlessness. I had mitral valve repaired cos of severe leak. I think leaks may get worse with AF and age so surgery maybe for future. Surgeon fixed a small tricuspid leak at same time and did ablation, all open heart. For me not as bad as people think, small scar 6 inches and not allowed to lift, pull or push anything heavier than a cup of tea for 6-8 wks. So someone has to be a care. 2yrs on an scan says my heart is fine.

[Autumn_Leaves]

Please don’t worry unnecessarily. Valve regurgitation is a very common finding and most adults once they reach middle age will have some degree of regurgitation. What matters more is the degree of severity and whether this is affecting your heart’s functioning, and this wound have been assessed when you had your echocardiogram. MVR usually causes some degree of left atrial dilation as the heart adapts to the backflow and this can predispose some people to AF, which in turn can cause progression of MVR/LA enlargement over time. If your AF is well controlled, its possible that your LA can reduce in size and your mitral valve function improves somewhat. So your ablation, if it keeps you out of AF, may well result in some improvement. Valve surgery is major surgery, it’s usually open heart surgery. so it’s not recommended unless you have severe regurgitation that is affecting your heart function. I would advise you talk to your consultant or arrhythmia nurse and ask them to talk you through your echocardiogram results and the significance of the findings.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

hi

sounds like me. very well put.

cheers JOY