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Question:
I have a leaking aortic valve with palpations only. When should I have surgery?
submitted by Terry from Arkansas on 03/22/2015
Answer:
"Because of their excellent prognosis in the short and intermediate
term, operative correction should be deferred in patients with chronic,
severe AR who are asymptomatic, have good exercise tolerance, AND have
an ejection fraction greater than 50% WITHOUT severe left ventricular
dilatation (i.e., an end diastolic diameter <70 mm and an end
systolic diameter <50 mm)." Heart Disease, Braunwald, 6th edition.
Absent any of the above, observation of clinical status and periodic echocardiograms are what is needed.
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Patrick J. Cook, MD
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Updated March 2015
