Rodney

When I was born in 1967 they did not always detect VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect, a hole between the ventricles) at birth as they do now. It wasn't until a few months later, after I had heart failure (atrial ventricular fibrillation and proarrhythmic tachycardia, etc.) that they confirmed my condition at Riley Children's Hospital ? Indianapolis.

In 1974 I had surgery for the moderate VSD. At that time they classified the defects as dime, nickel and quarter size. Mine was nickel ? big enough to require the dacron patch. At the time they mentioned a residual leak that would probably close after time. I returned to Riley every year until 1986 for checkups (EKGs, x-ray and stress tests). Activity restrictions were lifted in 1978.

Now 32 years after surgery I decided to see a cardiologist due to my worries about recent articles and studies. Also, I am more fatigued than the average person ? though I am very out-of-shape anyway. After the echo-stress test with ultrasound, we see the leakage remaining. I think "residual" is putting it mildly and there is also a bicuspid aortic valve (not mentioned after surgery, to our recollection). Despite these remaining defects the cardiologist said my EKGs look good and things seem very functional.

Now my thoughts: Functional is not good enough if I cannot count on a typical life expectancy. Is it worth fixing for added life expectancy or does that not outweigh the risk of surgery?? My little girl is 2 years old and I want to see her go to college.