Johnny's Posts

Greetings to all fellow-HVS patients. I am 70 year old, recently diagnosed with Severe MV Regurgitation, Moderate AV Regurgitation and TV Regurgitation. Open Heart Surgery on AV and NV Replacement was recommended at Scripps San Diego. It was also recommended less invasive procedures should be considered, inclusive of of MV Repair rather than Replacement. Does anyone who had any Surgeon Recommendations at Scripps San Diego or had the experience working with the Interventional teams here? would appreciate any input. Johnny 7.7.2021

Hello, I do not live in California, but I too have tricuspid regurgitation that is very close to being severe, as well as mild mitral regurgitation and aneurytic aortic artery. I have not met anyone with tricuspid like myself on this site. I go to Northwestern University Hospitals Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, and will be seeing Dr. Malaisrie for a consult soon to get his opinion on where I am at as far as needing surgery and at what point I will be considerd for it. I have been on hertvalvesurgery for a couple of years now, and learned a lot through this wonderful website. Please keep us posted, and stay positive. I would love to connect and keep in touch with you through your journey. Best wishes, Kim

HI Johnny, I saw your question on another post (Jim's). I have MV severe calcification and had my MV repaired. My local surgeon in Virginia wanted to replace it, because the repair on a severly calcified mitral valve is a more complicated repair surgery. The calcification on the MV (unlike the aorta) also requires going through the sternum. -- that is, no minimally invasive, except maybe a smaller sternum incision. All three surgical opinions said such, including Cleveland Clinic and Mt Sinai in NYC So....find the best surgeon for MV repairs in CA and get their opinion. You may have to head-up to Los Angeles, but it is worth it. I traveled five hours away to NYC for my surgery. Wish you the best, any questions I am here.

Hi Johnny, I'm also in the 70+ club, with severe mitral and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. I had two opinions from surgeons - one in Texas, where I live, and one at the Cleveland Clinic. After comparing the two, I chose Dr. Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic because he was certain he could repair both valves, and felt the safest approach for my two-valve repair was a full sternotomy. My surgery is scheduled for January. I agree with those above who suggest getting a second opinion, then choosing a very experienced surgeon and team. I recently watched Adam Pick's interview with Dr. Joanna Chikwe from Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. She is so impressive. You can find that interview by searching for her on this site. Best of luck as you go forward in the decision-making process.