Comments on: Patient Receives $9.8 Million Malpractice Verdict In Heart Valve Lawsuit

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:52:26 +0000

As I read the post that have been written here, I just have to say that through the years I have been under the care of a cardiologist, I have very little faith left. Although I do not have any mitral valve issues, I have and still do have issue with an aortic valve. I had my natural valve replaced in early 2006. At first I was told that it was very successful and I should never have another problem as long as kept up with the blood thinners and got checked out every 6 mos. After my first check up, I was told that the valve wasn’t sewn in deep enough, and I would have to go through the procedure again. I, of course chose a different surgeon, and a different hospital. The second surgery went well for the most part. No complications, but the valve had to be sewn in deeper, wich has an effect on the rythim. Now 5 years later, and after numerous cardiologist visits, echo’s, and ekg’e, I am told that I need to have the valve replaced again. It’s leaking around the suture area, and one flap is closed and will not open. If it is not possible to replace the valve a third time, I will have to have a heart pump. And eventually a heart replacement. Hoping for yet another valve replacement, but I am sure it will not last very long if it is successful at first. I looked into a lawsuit, but was told that because I didn’t die, I really have no recourse. I didn’t loose any abilities, so I am not entitled. I guess in todays day and age, medical people can use a body to learn and develop thier skills without recourse.

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:12:06 +0000

Hi Cindy: I am sorry that you are having such a hard time. The doctors always seem to have an explanation for the things that have gone wrong. My heart surgeon has a reputation for being among the best and yet my echo’s indicate that the surgery was not successful. My Mitral Valve is improved but not completely, so I guess I will have to have another surgery if I live long enough. Join me in prayer for both of us, because it seems that is all that will help. Good luck, God bless.

By: cindy

cindy — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:57:38 +0000

Judy
I am 7 weeks post op from a mitral valve repair. I have been in pain the whole time. My pain is more in the chest area and down my breast. The cardiologist says it is the way i was positioned during surgery, but 7 weeks has gone by. Now my pain is more skin pain, which they are calling over active nerve endings. I have to hold my shirts away from my chest, cannot wear a seat belt and in constant pain and discomfort. Today i went to the drs pcp and now have to return to a pain clinic. Just dealt with them for my right leg, which is a seperate issue, but now they are thinking this all goes together and want to call it over active nerve ending and pcp told me there are alot of people that have to live with chronic pain. I am so frustrated. Feel your pain judy so if you can respond please do so.

By: Judy

Judy — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:27:42 +0000

Hi everyone. I am 5 weeks out from a minimally invasive mitral valve repair. I am not feeling as well as I thought I would & would appreciate some input from others. I am very weak & tired, have trouble taking a deep breath and when I do, it hurts beneath my right breast. Does anyone have any experience to share with me?
Thanks

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:49:06 +0000

Hello Adam.
Congratulations to you and your wife! A new baby brings joy.
I had a hard time with my mitral valve repair. I had to have an emergency surgery again within 20 hours of the first one. That makes 2 surgeries within 24 hours. I was in ICU for a week fighting for my life everyday because something else went wrong, (one day the blood sugar was over 200-had to have an insulin shot; one day the lungs not working and almost had to be put on the dreaded pipe down the throat thing again; one day my blood count went below 2% and rushed to nuclear med. for a look inside and all this time had numberous doctors concerned. Thank God for my daughter. She helped me concentrate on slowly breathing and I am now 11 long weeks post-surgery and still fighting every day to become better. I think we all think that our Cadiologist would pick a qualified surgeon for us and I did not research further because I did not have the money to pay for the search results I found online about my doctors. I felt that God picked these men to help me in this matter. I am still in pain, but I am not taking any prescription medicines at this time. I read your blog on how well everyone is doing and I get depressed and feel that something is wrong with me. I am going to make myself go back to work and try to get my mind off my pains. Thanks for having this blog. It helps us all feel like we are not alone.