Markos Barrios - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

8 days ago

Henrik Lindeberg , Grace Mason reacted to this

my twin boys and me ...who would tell that i have a heart valve disease looking at this photo... even for me its hard to believe it.

Robert Miller That's the thing, people look at you and don't see anything wrong. Yet, you have a serious issue. I g ... Read more

Robert Miller That's the thing, people look at you and don't see anything wrong. Yet, you have a serious issue. I guess you had minimal invasive surgery as I can't see a scar on your chest. The picture looks like in some Hispanic town.

Markos Barrios The heart valve surgery hasn't happen yet, I hope it will be performed next may, I am waiting for th ... Read more

Markos Barrios The heart valve surgery hasn't happen yet, I hope it will be performed next may, I am waiting for the surgeon to give me the date.... Im really scared. And yes I am from Guatemala, Central America.

Richard Munson Nothing to be nervous about. Piece of cake. Of course i already had mine

Henrik Lindeberg It is ok to be scared and nervous but it will go well. I was really scared. I had my surgery aortic v ... Read more

Henrik Lindeberg It is ok to be scared and nervous but it will go well. I was really scared. I had my surgery aortic valve replaced 1,5 years ago waiting 4 week in hospital 2 in London, 2 in Gothenburg since they did not dare to send me home. I am back in scape as good as new :-) almost. 55 years young now

Robert Miller I have to slightly disagree with Richard as it's not a piece of cake. If you have OHS (Open Hear Surg ... Read more

Robert Miller I have to slightly disagree with Richard as it's not a piece of cake. If you have OHS (Open Hear Surgery), it's a pain for the first few week. But it is a very safe procedure. And in Richard's defense, once you look back it wasn't that bad (I think that is what he tried to convey). I have said this multiple times on this forum but I never felt more safe than going into surgery. You have so many professionals footsteps away. You can't be at a better place when it comes to health. The food is terrible, though.

Richard Munson Unless you’re the guy whose liver was removed instead of his spleen.

Robert Miller @Richard, I was confused by that liver removal comment because it sounded unbelievable. But then I he ... Read more

Robert Miller @Richard, I was confused by that liver removal comment because it sounded unbelievable. But then I heard news that a surgeon indeed removed the liver instead of the spleen. How is this even possible. Blows my mind. But you are more likely to be hit lightening than anything close to that happening. So @Markos, these are about the worst things you can hear. You will do just fine for your upcoming surgery. Check out the learning center as it gives you some good information.
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

Learning Center for Heart Valve Disease & Surgery

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

Get important facts about heart valve disease, symptoms, risks and treatment.

Markos Barrios Thanks... the words of every one and their points of view give me hope and perspective which make me ... Read more

Markos Barrios Thanks... the words of every one and their points of view give me hope and perspective which make me realized that other people have gone through this. I don't know anybody in person who has this issue. Thank you

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Any surgical intervention has some risk, but on valve replacement in general it´s very low. In rep... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Any surgical intervention has some risk, but on valve replacement in general it´s very low. In repairing that´s very low as well, provided you look for a very experienced surgeon where you are living, which is not always easy. Here in this special HVW site you´ll find information and heart valve personal stories that sure will be very useful for you.

Rose Madura Great picture! The odds are definitely in your favor for a positive outcome. Those boys need you! G ... Read more

Rose Madura Great picture! The odds are definitely in your favor for a positive outcome. Those boys need you! Godspeed.

Marie Myers I was also very much shocked and nervous that I needed heart surgery . But like Rose said, the odds ... Read more

Marie Myers I was also very much shocked and nervous that I needed heart surgery . But like Rose said, the odds are in your favor and you will get through this. I am 9 years past my surgery and very thankful my aneurysms and aortic valve could be fixed!

Markos Barriosposted a journal

12 days ago

Hi everyone, today was a great day, I met a new doctor, a mitral valve repair expert!! He check my 3D echocardiogram and told me that my mitral valve can be ...Read more

Hi everyone, today was a great day, I met a new doctor, a mitral valve repair expert!! He check my 3D echocardiogram and told me that my mitral valve can be repaired , he will require some extra tests prior to a surgery. In the near future I will share in this website who is this surgeon. He is the rockstar of the mitral valve surgeons !!

Robert Miller My surgeon supposedly is the "god" of mitral valve repair. Everyone I talk to knows him. But 10 month ... Read more

Robert Miller My surgeon supposedly is the "god" of mitral valve repair. Everyone I talk to knows him. But 10 months later, I needed a second surgery. Go figure. And he charged me again for discussing what went wrong and how to fix it. He casually threw his legs on the table laying back in his chair...

Deena Z Robert, disturbing picture you just painted. So sorry that went through this; hard to trust after th ... Read more

Deena Z Robert, disturbing picture you just painted. So sorry that went through this; hard to trust after that.
Markos, how many mitral repairs does your selected surgeon do per year and what is he/her success rate?

Richard Munson See, he should realize there is only one god. All the others are fake

J Alexander Lassally Repair repair repair !

J Alexander Lassally @Robert Miller, I am sure I know who this surgeon is based on your geography. I consulted there and ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally @Robert Miller, I am sure I know who this surgeon is based on your geography. I consulted there and moved on.

Robert Miller @J Alexander Lassally, since the second surgery was the same year, I already maxed out on my deducti... Read more

Robert Miller @J Alexander Lassally, since the second surgery was the same year, I already maxed out on my deductible. So basically I got "buy one open heart surgery, get one free"

Though the maze procedure didn't work long so I needed another procedure a couple of months ago. Now I maxed out on my deductible again so everything else for the rest of the year is free

J Alexander Lassally I am sorry, Robert, you had this terrible experience of needing to go around twice in a year. Horribl ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally I am sorry, Robert, you had this terrible experience of needing to go around twice in a year. Horrible. I am coming up on my next echo in a month - so holding my breath. If this looks good and my RV is okay, I can probably let guard down for a good amount of time !!

Robert Miller Not what I wished for but it's ok. My electrophysiologist says I am a hopeless case (not exactly his ... Read more

Robert Miller Not what I wished for but it's ok. My electrophysiologist says I am a hopeless case (not exactly his words but it summarizes it). I now go travel, visit my parents, etc. I hope your echo will show good results. Point is, make every day as if it was your last one. In some way, heart surgery was a good thing as it refocuses you to what is important.

Markos Barrios He is a surgeon from Mount Sinai, I am waiting for the cost of the surgery, if I am able to pay it, w ... Read more

Markos Barrios He is a surgeon from Mount Sinai, I am waiting for the cost of the surgery, if I am able to pay it, which I hope, I will update in "My Valve Story" the date and the surgeon in charge. Thanks for your comments and for sharing your stories which gave us HOPE and don't let FEAR drive us nuts!

Markos Barriosposted a journal

18 days ago

Hi, today ill be on my 5th week of knowing I have a Mitral Valve Disease, I have taken the 2D and 3D echocardiograms, nexts week the doctors will perform ...Read more

Hi, today ill be on my 5th week of knowing I have a Mitral Valve Disease, I have taken the 2D and 3D echocardiograms, nexts week the doctors will perform on me a holter test and coronary study prior to a surgery. I am in the phase of taking the decision to seek a repair and take the risk of all the cons and pros of repairing or just go forward to the replacement. Wednesday I have a date with a Mitral valve surgeon who will show me my choices. I am really scare and I don't believe the mess my life is now.

J Alexander Lassally Hi Markos - Number one rule if aiming for repair is to go to a high volume center where the surgeon i ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Hi Markos - Number one rule if aiming for repair is to go to a high volume center where the surgeon is specialized. Be willing to travel and move mountains to get that to happen.
Also, gather a few opinions about the approach so you are getting consistent stories.
I sympathize with your view of how disruptive this is to ones life ! Ask away ...

Joanne Carvitto It’s a process. Be gentle with yourself as you seek out all the information your can! It’s like ... Read more

Joanne Carvitto It’s a process. Be gentle with yourself as you seek out all the information your can! It’s like going to school as you research and gain knowledge and understanding of the heart repair options. This is a great site for information and encouragement! I will be praying for you and your medical team as you make decisions.
May Gods peace and guidance surround you!

J Alexander Lassally PS Markos again - Around 60 cases of mitral valve per year is considered a lot in the US. Under 40 or so would be cause for alarm.
If surgeon does a lot of aorta, TAVR and others, they are less focused so this is a negative. So ask their aorta volume and their TAVR volume, too.

Ask other cardiologists about his qualitative reputation... Get more than one answer.
... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Agreeing with which has been told by the fellows- going to a high volumen center with as much experie ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Agreeing with which has been told by the fellows- going to a high volumen center with as much experience as were possible in repairing. That´s cruzial, because is a high level surgery which needs a great skill by the surgeon. If not were the case, the choice of a valve mechanical or biological will depend on several factors among which your age is not a minor one. Ask the doctors for advice. Godspeed in your choice!

Markos Barrios Thanks for all these comments, I do not now anyone with this kind of disease, until now!

Markos Barrios When J Alexander say 60 cases of mitral valve per year means that is not common? (opposite to tavr). ... Read more

Markos Barrios When J Alexander say 60 cases of mitral valve per year means that is not common? (opposite to tavr). And when you say negative you refer to the fact that the surgeon should be high expertise in fixing Mitral valves?

J Alexander Lassally Markos - 60 patient cases per year by one surgeon is a lot of cases. That is what I meant. Anything b ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Markos - 60 patient cases per year by one surgeon is a lot of cases. That is what I meant. Anything below 30 or 40 would not be a lot.
Example, say the surgeon does 30 mitral cases and 80 TAVR and aorta. Then, they are not really a mitral specialist.

Markos Barrios ok, undestood, 60 repaired cases of my specific injury per year is the number. ( I think I am in deep ... Read more

Markos Barrios ok, undestood, 60 repaired cases of my specific injury per year is the number. ( I think I am in deep trouble). Wednesday I will have a Zoom meeting with a mitral valve surgeon from Mount Sinai, maybe they will give me a positive forecast of my case. Thanks for you data, I will post the output of the meeting.

Robert Miller It can come as a shock when one learns about heart issues and requiring surgery. However, you are mos ... Read more

Robert Miller It can come as a shock when one learns about heart issues and requiring surgery. However, you are most likely not in deep trouble as long as you take care of the issue. Valve repairs/replacements are performed a lot and it is a very safe procedure unless you have other serious health issues.

There is a lot information on this page, especially also about valve repair vs valve replacement. A good surgeon will first try to do a repair and only if that fails to a replacement. If a replacement is necessary, you have to decide between an mechanical valve and a tissue valve. The decision on that depends a lot on your age.

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php