Such was the case for Dr. Bredberg, who first scheduled appointments with his regular physician and a cardiologist. A stress electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram-standard tests used to diagnose MVP-indicated that the 55-year-old had a 30 percent blood flow back into the heart. It was decided to monitor the condition with regular EKGs. Then last October, Dr. Bredberg experienced an alarming episode while visiting in Santa Fe that determined the need for more aggressive treatment.
"I could tell that my heart was beating irregularly, and I called the paramedics," he remembered. " I was experiencing atrial fibrillation, and a defibrillator was used. I was then put on a fairly low dose of digoxen for six months and then, a few months later, I woke up with fibrillation again."
Another EKG was ordered, and a subsequent angiogram indicated a 50 percent to 75 percent "regurgitation" resulting from his mitral valve prolapse. Dr. Bredberg was referred to Dr. Trento for treatment. "It was 99 percent certain at this point that I would have to repair the valve eventually," Dr. Bredberg remembered. "It was also determined that the time to do this is while I was relatively young and in good health."
Since 1996, Dr. Trento and his associates at Cedars-Sinai have treated more than 100 patients annually with severe mitral regurgitation. Of these, approximately 80 percent will undergo valve repair, a successful alternative to more conventional valve replacement, according to Dr. Trento.
"For many years, faulty mitral valves were replaced with artificial valves, which was beneficial but not the perfect solution. The artificial valve, typically metal or porcine, is a foreign body, and patients have to rely on blood thinners the rest of their lives, plus the valves tend to last only a few years. Through the years, we have developed techni
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Contact: Sandra Van
sandy@vancommunications.com
1-800-396-1002
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
31-Aug-1999