Hi I need help sorting various written advice on mitraclip surgery versus the traditional non invasive surgeon. One article said mitraclip may only last 10 ...Read more
Hi I need help sorting various written advice on mitraclip surgery versus the traditional non invasive surgeon. One article said mitraclip may only last 10 years and can totally fail and only full valve replacement surgery would be required. Is this true? The other surgery is 6 to 8 weeks recovery but last up to a normal life expectancy. My cardiologist does mitraclip surgery and says I can do that one or I can opt for the other. My case us valve prolapse with reguritation rate of 18%. All else in normal range. How do I decide? Also increasing my blood pressure med stopped the palpitations. How long to wait on a repair? Any comments are very appreciated!
Greg Lewis First thing i believe i would do is get a couple more opinions. And at least one from a heart surgeo ... Read more
Greg Lewis First thing i believe i would do is get a couple more opinions. And at least one from a heart surgeon.
Rose Madura Great advice Greg. Do your due diligence as well and have a list of questions for the 2nd opinion do ... Read more
Rose Madura Great advice Greg. Do your due diligence as well and have a list of questions for the 2nd opinion doctor. Please keep us posted.
Brady Busch Hi Mary,I also agree and it will probably be to your benefit,to talk with a surgeon who has a lot of ... Read more
Brady Busch Hi Mary,I also agree and it will probably be to your benefit,to talk with a surgeon who has a lot of experience with Mitral valve repairs. Your location is near Spokane?Is that the place surgery will be done?There are a number of excellent doctors at the UW in Seattle,where mine was.
Greg Lewis I should clarify why the surgeon: at least here, in Canada, the two do completely different jobs. The ... Read more
Greg Lewis I should clarify why the surgeon: at least here, in Canada, the two do completely different jobs. The Surgeon looks at what he needs to do internally to repair your heart. He is basically the leader of the repair team. The Cardiologist watches how you are progressing before, and after surgery, and prescribes any needed meds. So, you need, i think, a few opinions. And, i agree with Rose, get a notebook, and write down your questions, so you dont leave anything out. I find it good to have a support person with you too. Then there are two sets of ears listening, and recalling what was said. Good luck!!
Mary Kruse Thanks for all your comments I will be getting a second opinion. Spokane has several heart surgeons ... Read more
Mary Kruse Thanks for all your comments I will be getting a second opinion. Spokane has several heart surgeons besides my cardiologist.
Susan Lynn Mary - MitraClip is fairly new and is often the choice for patients who have underlying conditions t... Read more
Susan Lynn Mary - MitraClip is fairly new and is often the choice for patients who have underlying conditions that make surgery too risky. Mitral valve repair, surgically, is all the same, only the access to the heart differs - sternotomy, mini-sternotomy, minimally-invasive mini-thoracotomy, and robotic entries are the most common. When you look for a surgeon, you want a high-volume mitral valve repair surgeon with a solid track record of success . Heart surgeons, even heart valve surgeons, are not the same, so do your research. Your best option might even involve travel. Best of luck to you!
I am from: Nine mile falls Wa
Your location is near Spokane?Is that the place surgery will be done?There are a number of excellent doctors at the UW in Seattle,where mine was.