Today Aaron went in for his semi-annual heart check-up. When he was born, his doctor heard a heart murmur and sent him for an echocardiogram. At that time he had a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and a patent foramen ovale (PFO) - both remnants of fetal circulation that should have closed off when he was born. The PDA was causing the murmur that we could hear. We fretted about it, because it occasionally takes a surgical procedure to close it up. As we found out 2 weeks later, his closed off on its own. The PFO closed later on its own also.
Unfortunately, we found out that he had a another problem. His aortic valve was divided into 2 leaflets instead of the usual 3. This bicuspid valve isn't causing him ANY problems now - we can't slow him down sometimes. As he gets older, the valve may leak or become stenotic, where it won't open all the way. So far, so good as today's echocardiogram showed us.
He did really well with some comforting words from Mama, some treats, Toy Story on a TV during the echocardiogram and LIttle Einsteins on Daddy's iPod during the EKG. He really didn't like the stickers for the EKG leads when they came off, but was a trooper for the whole experience. He doesn't have to come back for 2 years.
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