About Me (In My Own Words)
In July 2019 when I went to Mayo Clinic Phoenix for a cardiac ablation to control my atrial fibrillation, during the pre procedure TEE they saw a very slight mitral valve prolapse. Three of the four cardiologists including my electrophysiologist felt the prolapse was too small to cause them to postpone or cancel the ablation so I had the ablation procedure from the BEST Electro cardiologist on the planet (IMO!!) Komondoor Srinivasthen. 6.5 hrs on the table and 72 ablations to knock out that bad rhythm - Dr Sri is thorough to say the least.
However, the murmur which verified the prolapse gradually began to get more pronounced. In May 2021 I felt what I thought to be the first of the mitral valve regurgitation symptoms so I scheduled a trip back down to Mayo Phoenix (we live in Durango, CO) for another TEE.
That TEE confirmed the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse regurgitation to the point that all the chordae were disconnected from the valve, indicating a need for surgery. I met with Mayo's top TEE valve analyst, Dr Reza Arfsenjani, who confirmed the valve was repairable. He chose Mayo's most experienced cardiac valve surgeon to do the procedure, Dr Patrick DeValeria.
Because we live 350 miles from Phoenix and because I was minimally symptomatic, the radial angiogram Dr D ordered to evaluate whether I could have the surgery through minimally invasive robotic procedure was scheduled 4 weeks later.
The angiogram found no blockage but did reveal a very small plaque deposit in two of the coronary arteries. Dr D informed me there could be a small chance of the plaque breaking loose during robotic surgery, which meant there is a chance they may decide to go through the chest to first bypass the two artery sections, followed by performing the mitral valve repair.
My surgery is scheduled for October 6, 2021 but I am to undergo a CAT scan with contrast on October 4, in addition to a couple other tests. I will meet with Dr D on October 5 to hear the results of the tests, which I assume will lead to the decision whether my surgery will be robotic through the side or involve a sternotomy through the chest. Obviously I am hoping for the robotic minimally invasive approach because I have a good deal of anxiety and fear about the discomfort and much greater length of recovery for a split the sternum approach.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
DURANGO, Colorado
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My surgery date is:
October 6, 2021
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair
Maze Procedure
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