Comments on: “How Long Does Heart Valve Surgery Take?” Asks Shirley

By: Richard Naiss

Richard Naiss — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:33:51 +0000

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.

By: Mary Ferraro

Mary Ferraro — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:09:48 +0000

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!

By: Sara C

Sara C — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:47:11 +0000

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.

By: JB

JB — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:46:41 +0000

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.

By: Keith Thomas

Keith Thomas — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:08:07 +0000

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

By: John T. Smith

John T. Smith — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:35:01 +0000

I had mirtal valve replaced and maze procedure was in operating room from 6:45 am too11:40