Phyllis's Guestbook

I was told by Dr. Malasrie last year that he can do a mini thoracotomy for my tricuspid when it is time. He is out of Northwestern Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Chicago, IL.
They will not do surgery until it is severe or you are having symptoms or worsening symptoms. I've asked several times about at what point they advise surgery, and it is always "not until it is severe".
I hope you can find a cardiac specialist who does surgery on tricuspid in your area. I would speak to your Cardiologist and ask what hospital near you has cardiac specialists who specialize in the tricuspid. You can also contact, through this website, Drs that are listed through a form here on this website to directly get a phone call and find out more information. I am tested every 6-12 months with an echocardiogram and in November will have a cardiac stress test, since I am now starting to feel more out of breath this past year. I also have an anuerytic descending aorta, which does happen often when we have regurgitation in a valve.(mine is only at 4.1 and does not need to be fixed yet) Please feel free to contact me, as I have been trying to find someone like myself on this site for years. Tricuspid is so rare, Dr. McArthy at Northwestern Bluhm cardiovascular institute has told me I may never find someone on here that has it. He also said, though, that it is really no different than when they do other valves. I know how difficult this is when you first find out, so please contact me if you want to and ask me anything and I will try to help :)
You will be O.K., just keep your apts, get an echo every year to check on it and find a surgeon that will do surgery when it is time to.

Lots of hugs and love sent