Angie's Journal

Susan Lynn  Angie - You didn't mention why you're considered high risk, but you may want to look into MitraClip to see if you're a candidate. A minimally invasive or full robotic heart procedure both involve the same surgical repair or replacement process except the sternum cut and can even involve longer times on the bypass machine. All of these procedures are considered to be 'Open Heart Surgery.'
Best of luck to you.

Christine Maiorano  Angie, not sure why you’re high risk? I had a mitral valve and tricuspid valve repair done by Dr. Gillinov at Cleveland Clinic. He’s quite well known. Dr Gillinov specializes in robotics, although my surgery was a full sternotomy.

Robert Miller  With "I am a Mitro Valve failed recipient" do you mean your mitro valve failed or you had some surgery already and now go in for a second one? I was leaning toward getting "non-invasive" surgery with Dr. Gillinov but due to travel risks and other consideration got open heart surgery at a local hospital. When I was up for the second surgery, I could have travelled but I was told that once you had open heart surgery, they won't do non-invasive surgery. So if you already had open heart surgery, then that might be the only option you have. If you didn't have any surgery yet, then I heard a lot of good things about Dr. Marc Gillinov. 

Angie Vazquez  1. Yes this is the dr.Tang that I refer to.  I am considered high risk because I had open heart surgery in 1984 and there were complications during that surgery.  They already attempted to place a MitraClip without success.  The dr. doing  the placing of the MitraCip  said that my anatomy was not good.  Half way surgery he stopped, they didn't offer anything else so started my own research and found this website which is full of so much information.  I will be meeting dr. Tang the week of 6/3 on admission for special testing to determine what is the best procedure for me.  I just needed other patients to share any experiences they might have had with me. Now that I have Dr. Tangs post I will educate myself.  I do know that every patient is different, but every input helps.  Thank you guys for your response

Marie Myers  I would ask about percutaneous mitral valve replacement if it is your mitral valve that is the problem. You might also like  to get a second opinion from a completely different cardiac group .

Deena Z  Angie, have you spoken to the top surgeons in Manhattan?  I see that you live in Staten Island.  Top cardiac hospitals in your area are Mt Sinai, Presbyterian and NYU.  You or maybe even your cardiologist's office can send your ECHO disc and written report to the hospitals' cardiac centers for their review and then you can speak to them over the phone or via "zoom" conferencing, if getting to the offices is difficult.  

Angie Vazquez  Thanks to all that answered.  Yes I am going to seek more opinions.  I found the dr. that originally did open heart surgery (1984) he now works at Mt. Sainai. I know I have to be my own advocate because observing me means nothing to me.  I currently am seeing a cardiologist at SIUH, I understand that they don't do any procedures except rhe Mitra chip.  I wish I had known about this site earlier, there is so much information. I will keep everyone posted.  By the way, I heard on the news that Mt. Sinai is closing, hope not. 

Deena Z  Mt Sinai -Beth Israel is probably closing, not Sinai in upper east side, Manhattan. 
You can email for a consult at: kim.bushell@mountsinai.org

i think that Presbyterian in NYC might do more minimally invasive.