Jayne's Posts

That's very unusual to have a repair fail so quickly. I've read that 95% of all MV repairs show no leakage after 10 years. I'm wondering if you had Rhumatic Fever as Rhumatic valves have a higher tendency to fail and they are normally replaced. I will eventually be going for a Mitral Repair at Abbott Northwestern Hospital here in Minneapolis. In fact, their Minneapolis Heart a Institute does slot of repairs. They just did the first mechanical Mitral Valve through a catheter on a 76 year old man from Cumberland WI. I also asked about the Mitra Clip as they do a lot of them. Unfortunately they don't use them on younger patients. They are not as durable as traditional repairs or replaced valves and are normally reserved for those too old or frail to handle the rigors of traditional valve surgery. They also don't work well on larger jets as they are smaller than valves . You may want to go to a center that does a lot of valves as even a "redo" like yours can be repaired if the surgeon has the right skills. The best in the world is at Cleveland Clinic. Dr David Adams at Mount Sinai in NY is also highly regarded. Dr Robert Farivar at Abbott is also highly skilled. Hope this helps Ben from Minneapolis

So sorry to hear this news. The most important thing you can do now is go to a heart centers/featured surgeons, many of which are listed to the right. I say this because if you are being told you are a candidate by a doctor for the Mitral Clip, run. It is for older, weaker heart patients only.

while the odds are that a repair is the way to go if possible, the 5% that don't do the job is significant if you fall in that category for sure. We look to the experts to make recommendations, and hope odds are in our favor. But just like anything, repairs can fail, tissue valves can too, and mechanical are almost never bad, but......things can and do happen. Jayne, I am so sorry your repair wasn't what it was supposed to be, but I do hope you get something done that fixes it for good. Not knowing much about the clips, why did your doc suggest this and not a replacement? Is it because that is less invasive to go through? Praying you get your answers and the information, care and treatment necessary!!! Take good care and keep us informed as you can!

Wishing you a complete and rapid recovery. Be patient with yourself, celebrate the baby steps of progress as those come more frequently than big ones in my experience, get enough healing rest and walk! I started with strolls around the house, taking the long way to the bathroom, then moved to the driveway and did laps, then the street, then the block! Lots of baby steps there to celebrate! Soon you will be journaling your post of course encouraging others who are anticipating! Know you are in good hands, and all of us are cheering you on!