About Me (In My Own Words)
1/16/2024
My general physician detected a heart murmur ("Level 3 out of 6") with a simple stethoscope during a general health check. I had absolutely no symptoms. An Electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed and everything seemed normal. I was referred to a cardiologist.
2/7/2024
Cardiologist performed some general checks with a stethoscope and confirmed a moderate murmur. He requested a Echocardiogram (echo) for further evaluation.
2/14/2024
An Echocardiogram (echo) was performed and a heart monitoring device was given to me. It was on my chest for 24 hours and then I mailed it back to a lab with a pre-paid shipping label.
3/18/2024
Cardiologist confirms murmur is due to a moderate Mitral Valve Regurgitation condition. He requested a Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) for further evaluation.
4/8/2024
The Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed.
4/10/2024
Results from Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed:
- The P2 scallop of the posterior leaflet is flail with a ruptured chord seen.
- There is eccentric, anteriorly-directed mitral regurgitation.
- A deep fold is seen on both sides of the P2 scallop.
- Mild thickening of the mitral valve leaflets.
- No evidence of mitral valve stenosis.
- Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation is present.
- There is mild left atrial enlargement.
- Regurgitation Volume is 54 ml.
- Regurgitant Fraction is 46%.
Mitral Valve Repair is suggested, I was referred to a surgeon.
Surgeons requests a:
- Cardiac computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of Chest and Pelvis
- CT Angiography (CTA) Cardiac W Wo Coronary Art
for further evaluation.
5/6/2024
12:00pm: CTA/ ABD AND PEL and CTA CARDIAC is scheduled for this day
2:00pm: First meeting with surgeon is scheduled for this day.
5/7/2024
Cardiac Surgeon suggested Minimally Invasive Robotic Mitral Valve Repair and it is scheduled for July 9, 2024.
7/8/2024
Still no symptoms at all. No lack of breath, no shortness of breath, no unusual fatigue, no dizziness, no leg swelling, no chest pain, no palpitations, nothing.
LAST UPDATE
7/23/2024
I had a minimal invasive robotic assisted surgery to repair my Mitral Valve on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 as scheduled. Exactly two weeks ago.
My surgery was performed at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University in New York City by Dr. Arnar Geirsson, MD. I have no words to describe how amazing and incredible everything was and the unbelievable care I received at this hospital.
First at all, I never felt pain at all, which was my biggest fear before the surgery. The first few days I had some major discomfort but still no pain. By Friday, July 5 (just 3 days later), I was discharged from the hospital and I left walking like nothing ever happened. During my hospital stay, I received some pain control medicine but that Friday I was just taking Tylenol and by Saturday, July 6 (4 days after surgery), I didn’t even have to take Tylenol at home anymore. The moment when I felt a full relief of this discomfort was when they took the two drain tubes from my body and the urinary catheter on Wednesday night and Thursday morning respectively.
During my stay in the hospital, all the nurses were very professional, caring, compassionate, understanding and helped me with the most minimal personal requests. The food was really good and always something different every day. It did not fall within the stereotype of “hospital food”. The hospital room was very comfortable and private and all the nurses brought everything to me, even the x-ray machine for my daily scan. It is a really state of the art facility with the latest technology and equipment.
Dr. Geirsson did an incredible job before, during and after the surgery. Nothing could have been done any better. The latest Echocardiogram (echo) performed at the hospital before I was discharged shows ZERO regurgitation. Dr. Geirsson repaired my Mitral valve with triangular resection of the Posterior leaflet P2 and also put a Gorotex Neochord to P2 and a 32mm Physio Flex Annuloplasty Ring. Another amazing fact to note is that I was extubated in the surgery room, so when I woke up in the CTICU, I was breathing on my own and didn’t have to experience taking the respiratory tube out while being awake.
Exactly two weeks later, I feel incredibly well, I feel 100% already and I’m working from home just to follow the doctor’s recommendation to be cautious during the first two weeks after the surgery. Next Monday, July 29 (basically 3 weeks after surgery), I’m planning to go to the office and resume my normal life.
From the moment I got discharged, I have been eating normal (even snacking) and walking like nothing ever happened. I also don’t have any side effects, sick symptoms and the small incisions in my chest (5 total) are healing very fast and well.
After everything I have experienced to date, if I could give any advice to anyone experiencing a similar situation as mine, I would say to not be scared (I was petrified by this surgery) and to really really really look into a minimal invasive robotic assisted surgery. The recovery has been so easy and fast that it doesn’t make any sense to go through a sternotomy approach unless you HAVE to.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
New York
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My surgery date is:
July 9, 2024
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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