Leaking Heart Valves
 

Help,

I had an initial Class 1 in December where the ECG picked up an indication for left ventricular hypertrophy. I've just had an echocardiogram completed with an approved cardiologist and they have detected a leaking tricuspid valve.

None of this sounds good, the chap is sending the full report to me as well with a recommendation I see my GP.

I'm assuming a Class 1 is going to be a non-starter, but does this mean they will withdraw my Class 2?

Does anyone have any idea if this problem can be fixed to get a Class 1?

Many thanks for you help guys

I speak as a GP, not a specialist cardiologist. A leaking tricuspid valve is somewhat unusual and unless the leak is very major unlikely to be of major significance, I would have thought. The tricuspid valve prevents regurgitation of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium, i.e. it's in the low pressure side of the system. Being on the right side, this abnormality leaves me a little baffled as to why you should have left ventricular hypertrophy and in any case a leaking atrioventricular valve doesn't result in hypertrophy as the pressure in the ventricle is lower at the end of systole, rather than too high. i.e. the ventricle is not contracting against an obstruction, such as a narrowed pulmonary or aortic valve or against a high pressure circulation, as occurs in severe hypertension which leads the heart muscle to enlarge.

On the bare facts so far, none of this quite adds up. Anyway, the fellow to tell you whether this will preclude a Class 1 medical is the approved cardiologist, surely, so why didn't he tell you?!

QDM

P.S, Unless there has been some confusion about 'tricuspid valve'? The aortic valve is generally tricuspid and rarely bicuspid. The cardiologist might have been referring to a 'tricuspid aortic valve' rather than 'the tricuspid valve' which separates the right ventricle and atrium.

Basically, not enough info by far. Go and see your GP like the man says!

QDM,

Many thanks for your info/advice. Basically the chap didn't tell me what valve was leaking, I picked up the tricuspid bit from a conversation he was having with the nurse doing the echo.

Also, he didn't even mention LVH and didn't advise whether the valve issue would be a problem for the CAA, merely stating 'they have their own criteria for this'!

The only firm advice I got was make sure I told the dentist and to go and see my GP when I get the report from him, which I fully intend to do!

Many thanks

VFR

BTW, I was a bit concerned so asked if I should leave off the gym (I go 4 times a week), he said 'no that's fine, carry on as you are' so I'm wondering how serious this is!

And now for the bad news
 

Just posting this for info really,

Had the report from the cardiologist, not good news. Echo shows moderate aortic regurgitation with some LV dilatation with no stenosis. I have now to see my GP to be referred to a consultant cardiologist for further evaluation.

So no commercial flying career for me and I don't know if these can ever by fixed, except by valve replacement surgery (which is a bit of a bummer at 36), which the cardiologist is of the opinion I may need at some point.

My local AME has told me that he thinks the CAA will let me retain my Class 2, but will require a regime of monitoring.

Now awaiting the inevitable from the CAA. If anyone's interested I will post any updates, I guess I'm not the only one with this problem!

:sad: