Nina's Journal

Steve Farthing  Mosaic valve is from Medtronic:  http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/heart-valve-repair-replacement/mosaic-tissue-valve.html

Magna Ease is from Edwards:  http://www.edwards.com/eu/Products/HeartValves/pages/MagnaEase.aspx

Nina Gill  Thank you Steve! Very happy to hear that.IVery comforting indeed ☺️.Adam you have provided such a wonderful portal to share and read about people going through the same issues...God bless!

Nina Gill  Thank you Rich,arrived in Bangalore from New Delhi.I got a super send off from my friends yesterday.For some reason I am associating the travel with a holiday 🙄 It shall start sinking in tomo when I go for the angio.Shall keep an update on.

Nina Gill  Adam it was my day! Thank you for your wonderful wishes a new age surgery in India conducted by an extremely confident brilliant young maverick of a Doctor!

Patricia Garcia  HI Nina every person's experience with a valve repair is different. I have a long history of mitral valve disease. My repair only lasted 5 years and the ring used calcified with scar tissue causing stenosis. I had a porcine valve put in at the Cleveland Clinic, which only lasted 8 years, but was expected to last 16. I had my 3rd surgery January 2015 at UNPENN and I now have a mechanical valve that is expected to last my lifetime. Well I have a severely dilated left atrium from years of mitral valve problems. After surgery this time around I developed permanent AFIB/Aflutter. You can't possible know the exact timing of repair/replacements and everything depends on your body/health/fitness/lifestyle etc. The goal is to always try and repair your own heart valve and many people have success that can last their lifetime. Talk with your doctor and also my advice to you is to ask him/her about the possibility of developing arrhythmia issues since your left atrium is enlarged. Always ask lot's of questions. Best Wishes

Wanda Mroz  Each person is unique to what they experience. I am one year and 7 months after repair. So far so good. A repair is always preferred over replacement. I had a maze procedure also to prevent afib or flutter but unfortunately a year after surgery I developed aflutter. So maze is not always successful but I would do it again and don't regret that because there is a 70% success rate. Each person is different and will have their unique experience.

Sophia Ridley  Hi Nina, I had a MV repair in Nov 2015, leaflets were redundant so severe regurgitation.
My most recent echo showed that my atrium had reduced in size, to normal. It had been enlarging for at least 6 years before surgery. I'm now 44.

I am concerned of calcification which may result in another surgery. The surgeon expects my repair to last me a life time, he did OHS rather than keyhole. I have goretex strings too, as I have a connective tissue disorder that makes heart string stretchy. He also fitted an atriclip as part of the procedure. I guess, only time will tell.

I've had bouts of AF and am on bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban. The cardiologist hopes that as the heart recovers this will stop. Stats I hang onto is post op AF happens in 30% of MV repairs, 90% recover under rate control alone.

So, in answer, its dependant on so many factors. The message I've been given is that MV repair last and the atrium can reduce following a repair. I expect much of this depends too on the skill of the surgeon.

Steve Farthing  My doc quoted the stat that after 10 years, 90% of mitral repairs are still successful. And close to 90% after 20 years.

Ben Hyman  Ditto on what Steve Farthing stated. My surgeon let me know that I have a 90% chance of a normally functioning valve in 10 years. Most but not all repairs last 20 years or more. It depends on the skills of the surgeon and the durability and size of the support ring that was used. The patient plays a huge role as well. The bettet your diet and exercise regimen, the more likely your repair will last for the rest of your life

Darlene Smith  My personal opinion is make sure you have your repair done with a surgeon who is an expert with your particular valve, a surgeon who specializes in your specific repair so that not only can he or she almost guarantee 100% repair success at the time of surgery, but so the repair is durable. I would never have a replacement over a repair. But you have to go to a reference center like Cleveland Clinic or Mount Sinai. There is simply no way I'm going on a blood thinner the rest of my life.

Patricia Garcia  I would definitely want a repair if possible. Like I have said every case is different and statistics are simply that. The first approach is always a repair and I had that done first by an expert. Unfortunately mine had become stenosed with scar tissue. I again would not have changed having that repair done, as I had two boys during that time period and pregnancy did not cause the repair to fail. It was a defected ring that was used and not the surgeons fault. My valve replacement was done in the best of the best, Cleveland Clinic by a expert surgeon. I was told the statistics of the new tissue valve was 16 years and I went with it. When they go bad they go down hill fast. My stenosed valve caused a clot that was removed during the replacement. My porcine valve failed after 8 years. Two years after the birth of my surprise baby my porcine valve was leaking badly and I had congestive heart failure. Cleveland Clinic was terrific and this was the fate that has been given to me. I went to UNPENN and Dr, Michael Acker saved my life. I had a giant clot in my left atrium from mitral regurgitation from my failed valve. UNPENN was a terrific hospital as well. His record is phenomenal and he does high risk patients. As far as being on blood thinner many live with it, as well as I do now. Sometimes it may be the last resort. My St. Jude mechanical valve is beating like a champ and I can hear it beating away. Blood thinner is my life saving medicine and I have been on it for 2 1/2 years now. I am a mom of 4 children and my youngest is 4. I just graduated with my Bachelors Degree in History. I eat spinach and other greens and get razor cuts without bleeding to death. I have lived through 4 high risk pregnancies and 3 open heart surgeries and God has been with me every step of the way. For those who have had repairs and now need to go with a mechanical valve please don't be afraid of blood thinner. Many of us on here take it everyday. Lot's of people on here are past the repaired valve and now need a replacement. I have permanent afib and can not get an ablation because of all the scar tissue. I would have needed blood thinner anyway. I am not an expert, but have lived through different experiences and just want to ease everyone's concerns. I am not biased towards whatever approach anyone chooses. God Bless

Nina Gill  You are incredibly brave Partricia...God bless you with good health always.Thankyou Darlene good advice indeed,Very heartening Ben,Charles and Steve 😊Sophia I have something similar with connective tissue problems thank you for your response Wanda.So much solace for a person about to go in for surgery 🌺

Patricia Garcia  Thanks Nina any questions you have about my experiences please don't hesitate to ask. God bless you always too <3

Nina Gill  Mitral Valve surgery repair/replacement slotted 5th of April wish me luck! My surgeon is Dr Sathyaki P Nambala place of surgery is Bangalore India and 3D of April is my 34th wedding anniversary!

Ellen Leng  Best if you can have repair rather than replacement. However, if you need replacement, the metal valves last longest, but require that you be on blood thinners for the rest of your life. The tissue valves do not require blood thinners long term, but given your age, you would likely need at least 1 more surgery for replacement. Lot's to consider

Steven A Husted  yes if you go with metal valve you will be on blood thinners the rest of your life if you go with tissue you may have to have a redo in 15 to 20 years with a TAVR i chose a bovine tissue valve and i am very happy with it best wishes and prayers be with you

Rita Savelis  The life of a valve is a big unknown. In younger patients (like you) tissue valves last a shorter time. In an older patient those same valves last a longer time.
Bummer, I know.
You will have to let your surgeon explain what he thinks may be best for you according to your specific situation.
I have 2 mechanical valves (surgery at age 53) because each of those valves would wear out at a different rate if they were tissue and I have a lot of scarring in my lungs because of childhood cancer treatment.
Every patient's situation is very personal and very different and one can not really say which valves do the best, because again there are trends and there are varying factors.
Take care.

Cathy Slipski  Hi Nina. I had a mitral valve replacement. Jan 25 2016. I opted for a bovine valve. I am 38 years old . The thought of Coumadin for the rest of my life scared the hell out of me. Today I am happy with the choice I made. I live a normal life no restrictions. Although, at some point i will have to do this all over again I am prepared to do so with another bovine valve when the time comes. I cherish my life I am a very outgoing and active person and the bovine was the right choice for me. I hope you can come to a decision that will suit you and your lifestyle well. The key is research. I did a lot of research and spoke to alot of people and weighed my options. If you have any questions feel free to ask! Good luck to you !

Michael Meyer  Nina:

Really may depend on the surgery required. Cleveland Clinic is in the UAE. There are twp excellent heart surgeons working out of that hospital. That is much lower than the US but it is about choices.

https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/pages/default.aspx

Sophia Ridley  Depends on many factors but one thing you need to do after heart surgery is walk, walk and walk. Cardiac rehab is superb as introducing you back into exercise and so thoroughly recommended.

I'm 4 mths post mitral valve repair and probably fitter today than I have been for quite a while. The trick will be maintaining it.

Billy G  I am 34 and was somehow managing to still put up lifetime best times in the pool in many events (faster than I was in college) with severe aortic regurgitation. I am 4 months post-op (aortic valve repair).

I started running about 5 weeks post-op and got back in the water at 7 weeks. I'm nowhere close to where I want to be in terms of strength and endurance, and doctors won't let me get back to pushups and other upper-body exercises for at least 2 more months.

At this time, I plan to get back to where I was when I was in the best shape of my life. Will that happen? I can't say, but right now, all I know is that if I don't plan on being in better shape than ever and work towards that goal, I won't be.

Clare Auten  I am 2 years post AVR. I have no restrictions and do what needs to be done, mow the lawn, shovel snow, etc. I wasn't in great shape before surgery but do enjoy walking with a jog mixed in here and there. Getting ready for my 4th post surgery half marathon in a couple weeks. I am not fast but I will finish. ;)

Barbara Laurie  It seems to me having a set goal is a big help according to those who've replied! 😄 Good to know♥️

Lilly Black  Nina, OMG! I am 64 yrs old and never felt better! I am more physically fit, and plan to keep getting better. I walk, exercise on my bike, and I have so much energy and stamina. I haven't felt this great in years! seriously. I am planning to get back on track with swimming as well. This was my 2nd open heart surgery. I feel really good! I don't eat junk food. I drink wine and beer moderately. I cook from scratch, eat very little sugar, if any, and I take no medication. I want to lose 40lbs, and have already begun my diet and exercise regime. When my pool opens I will get back in the pool to do laps. Everyone is different in terms of the healing process....but keep a positive attitude and don't give up. I will keep going until I lose 40lbs, and even afterwards, enough exercise to maintain a healthy quality of life. Hope this is helpful. :o)

Diane Brown  Thanks Lilly. I'm 76, my AVR surgery will be April 5 and the more I read the more terrified I become. Crazy as it sounds, I am in good health. Heart Cath was excellent, Pulmonary Function test also. Thinking that my incisions might still be hurting in 6 months - I can't wrap my head around that. I'm fortunate to live in Orlando area and Dr. Kevin Accola will be doing my surgery at Florida Hospital. He likes his patients to go home right from the hospital. Reading what all I won't be able to do is just terrifying. Anyone - tell me if I need to not be home alone and for how long???
I'd so love to hear from someone similar to me. May also have to have some mitral valve repair or replacement. Does that change the recovery patterns?

Wanda Mroz  I'm doing better than before surgery! Walking and cardiac rehab is awesome! It will help you get stronger!

Barbara Laurie  Diane, I don't think you should be alone right after OHS, since you're asking. Being terrified of being dependent on others well, that's not going to help. Praying right now that you'll find some peace and that you will find someone to help out your first week. Everyone is different, so you may only need a few days of help.. But get some help and get a care plan ready for when you do get home. Best❤️ Regards

Sophia Ridley  Diane, I echo Barbara's comments, please look into having help post surgery. You will be exhausted and will need help.