“How Long Does Heart Valve Surgery Take?” Asks Shirley
I really appreciate patients that actively prepare their caregivers and their support group for heart surgery.
Earlier today, I opened an email from Shirley that reads, “Adam - At 62, my prolapsed mitral valve is worn out. I’m going in for surgery to replace my mitral valve next week. I want my husband and children to know how long they may be in the waiting room… So, how long does heart valve surgery take usually?”
The really tough part about answering Shirley’s question is that there are many variables to each, particular heart valve surgery. For that reason, my standard response to this question is, “It depends.”
For example, my double heart valve surgery lasted 3.5 hours from the time I entered the operating room to the time I “checked-in” to the intensive care unit (ICU). Alternatively, I know of several patients that had surgeries well over 10 hours due to heart surgery complications.
That is why I hesitate to give a specific answer to the question, “How Long Does Heart Valve Surgery Take?”. However, if I was really pressed to answer this question, I would estimate between 3 and 5 hours.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. Did you already have heart surgery? How long was your operation? Please leave a comment and tell us your experience.
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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September 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I had mirtal valve replaced and maze procedure was in operating room from 6:45 am too11:40
September 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
My surgery was about 4 hours, so the 3-5 hr range is probably pretty good barring complications which I’m sure you won’t have. Good luck, KT
November 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Greetings,
Though I realize my post is more than a bit late to respond to Shirley, I thought I would contribute just the same. Its three months to the day since I had my aortic valve, aortic root and aortic arch replaced as well as my right sub-clavian artery redirected at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England. I am informed I spent over nine hours from the time I entered the operating theatre until I was taken to the critical care unit. It may seem like a long time, but considering the things that were done to me, I’m thankful the highly skilled surgical team didn’t rush things.
November 13th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
My mom just had a mitral valve repair at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. They gave us great time estimates and were right on the mark for all the surgery. She went in around 6 am and we got to be with her until they came to get her for surgery around 730. They came and updated us at 9 am to tell us they were finishing stitching the valve repair and then would do a test run to see how well it worked. At 1030 they came in to tell us the surgery was over and she was in the recovery unit, where we got to have a brief peek at her for just a few moments. The whole surgery lasted right around 3 hours.
They had also told us that depending how things went it could be longer—if they had to replace and not repair, if the test run didn’t go well, etc, so we were prepared and were thrilled when it all went well in their best case scenario prediction.
November 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
My family was told it would be 6 hours but it took between 7 and 8 hours. My surgeon called the valve a “humdinger.” The prolapsed mitral repair required the anterior leaflet to be stabilized, an Edwards Lifesciences ring to be installed, an artificial cord installed, with trimming and reshapping the posterior leaflet to achieve balanced pressures on both sides with no leaking. Amazing!
May 14th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I had my open heart surgery 4 weeks ago. My Aortic valve was replaced, my Mitral valve repaired and a hole was repaired. My surgery was about 6 hours. Although the the next few days were uncomfortable because of the catheter and tubes, the pain was not bad and upon getting home after 7 days in the hospital, I have slept well and feeling better each day. I look forward to a renewal of activity. ut this surgery, I would have died within 2 years. I am very grateful for this repair and restoration and the skills of my surgical team led by Dr. Priessler.