About Me (In My Own Words)
Mitral Valve Repair
A 58 year old male with recent type 2 diabetes who has become much more active in the prior 18 months (due to diabetes). Diagnosed Feb-2012 with mitral valve regurgitation which had resulted an enlarged left atrium and a poor ejection fraction. After becoming increasingly symptomatic over the next six months, getting another echo and learning that my situation was "when, not if" (as far as needing the valve repair), I decided my health was good, surgery was still on the simpler side (a single valve), health coverage was in place with known benefits/limits, and good family support available...so the timing was as good as it would ever be, to get the surgery done.
My cardiologist recommended Dr. Brad Hofer of Colorado Cardiovascular Surgery Associates, as he had 20+ years of mitral valve repair experience and could perform a less-invasive "port access" (through the ribs under the arm, not through the sternum) that would allow faster recovery.
Surgery was performed Oct 29, 2012 at SkyRidge Hospital (south end of the Denver metro area), where ruptured leaflet "strings" (chordae) were re-established at the same length. Plus a ring insertion for the valve.
So far I have been told that the surgery went as expected, with some minor center leaflet leakage un-related to the chordae, but we will see what is learned over the next few weeks.
I am presently doing well in early recovery, looking forward to initiating cardio rehab next week, following my post-surgical review with Dr. Hofer.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Lone Tree, Colorado