"Is Robotic Mitral Valve Repair 100% Risk Free?" Asks Harvey
March 30th, 2009As you may already know, there are several, different surgical procedures used to correct valvular disorders (e.g. aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse). Accordingly, the patient – or their caregivers – typically develops a mental or written “question list” about each surgical option available to him or her.
Many of the questions I receive are about… patient risk. Those risk-related questions focus on a few, common themes including cardiac procedures, surgeons, valve replacement devices, surgery timing, recovery, age issues, hospital issues, mortality, etc.
In fact, I just opened an email from Harvey that reads, “Adam – Yesterday, I was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation due to ‘floppy mitral leaflets‘. The prolapsed valve needs to be fixed quickly, according to my cardiologist. It feels like a ton of bricks just landed on my head. I’ve been up all night researching my options and I was curious to know more about robotic surgery. Is robotic surgery more or less risky? I’ve read it might be 100% risk-free. Is that true? Thanks, Harvey”
In review of Harvey’s questions, I have three immediate thoughts for him:
- First off, Harvey is doing a great job of asking the right questions to prepare him for cardiac surgery.
- Second, I would encourage Harvey to get a second opinion to confirm his recent diagnosis. Too many patients (about 35%) forget about this critical step in the process.
- Third, I would suggest that no surgical procedure is 100% risk free. It doesn’t matter if the operation is heart-related or not, there are elements of risk in just about every single medical procedure out there. That said, the patient (or their caregiver) needs to effectively manage surgical risk.
The good news? Heart surgery mortality has decreased significantly over the past ten years. And, minimally invasive procedures – including robotic mitral valve repair surgery – continue to show encouraging results.
However, I have spoke with several patient that experienced surgical complications with just about every type of cardiac procedure – including complications from robotic mitral valve repair.
I wish I could tell Harvey that robotic surgery, or any cardiac procedure, was 100% risk free. But, unfortunately, I don’t think that is the case.
That said, make sure to do your homework BEFORE surgery. Make sure you ask the right questions. Make sure you find the right surgeon. Make sure you find the right hospital. Make sure you are comfortable with your cardiac procedure.
Ultimately, make sure you are 100% confident that you have mitigated as much of the risk as possible.
Keep on tickin!
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| About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates clinical research with the personal experiences of 135 former patients to help future patients and their caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here. |
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