Going to Mayo 6/19

[anarad]

Well the time is here. I'm going to Mayo on Tues for tests and then having my tricuspid valve replaced on Wed by Dr. Schaaf. This is my second open-heart(prev myectomy). I think it's a bit scarier the second time around. I'll probably be at St Mary's at least a week. If you happen to be there, drop in...I ain't goin anywhere for awhile....don't know exactly where I'll be....I'll update when I can....
Kent Emerson

[Midge Rollins]

Best of luck you are in great hands.

[angall]

Hi
I was at Mayo/St. Mary's Hospital all last week for my annual heart transplant check-up. I wish my check-up was scheduled for this week then my husband and I would stop in to say hi and hopefully give you a little support.
Like Midge said, you'll be in good hands.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Update us when you feel up to it.

[angall]

Kent
You mentioned that you're going to have your tricuspid valve replaced. Must you have it replaced due to a birth defect or some other reason?

Again, good luck!

[anarad]

They need to replace the tricuspid valve because they think that the lead from my ICD has damaged it. It's a relatively new symptom that they have discovered. People with ICDs who have a lead going thru the tricuspid have been noted to have damage to the valve because of it. It's quite hard to diagnose. Dr Rick Nishimura has authored a study and paper on it. They may also do a repair on the mitral valve while they're in there. They won't know until the open me up and see what's cookin.....lol.....

[EmilysDad]

Here's a link to the paper by Dr. Nishimura on damage to the tricuspid valve:
http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/45/10/1672

I didn't even realize that ICD or pacemaker leads are threaded trhough the heart valves. I thought they were impanted via the cardiac sinus from the subclavian vein.