Hello all! I just joined this group to learn about mitral valve stuff. Something the dr. said really bothered me when I asked if we were looking at a repair ...Read more
Hello all! I just joined this group to learn about mitral valve stuff. Something the dr. said really bothered me when I asked if we were looking at a repair or a replace. He said, "I won't know til I get in there." I've done a LOT of reading about both, and I don't understand why you wouldn't know. Does anyone else find this surprising? I know you aren't doctors, but I'm early in my journey, and thought someone out there might share their thoughts.
Susan Lynn There are several pre-operative tests that assist in getting a view of the valve and leaflets. Exper ... Read more
Susan Lynn There are several pre-operative tests that assist in getting a view of the valve and leaflets. Experienced mitral valve surgeons will repair whenever possible. My surgeon never discussed replacement options with me because based on my test results and his background he was sure a repair was achievable.
If you aren't confident about the information you're getting, keep interviewing surgeons until you're comfortable with the approach. First and foremost, find a surgeon who does at least 100 mv repairs a year - there's no substitute for experience for this procedure. Best of luck!
Lisa Guinan My surgeon also said he won't know for sure whether he can repair until he gets in there. He's 90% s ... Read more
Lisa Guinan My surgeon also said he won't know for sure whether he can repair until he gets in there. He's 90% sure he can repair. My mitral valve is also the issue. It's barlow's type which he said makes it a little trickier.
Tracy Fallu My surgeon also told me he won’t know until he gets in there. If at all possible, surgeons want to ... Read more
Tracy Fallu My surgeon also told me he won’t know until he gets in there. If at all possible, surgeons want to repair rather than replace. My surgeon was 95% positive he could repair which is what happened. Make sure you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with and know he/sure will make the correct choice once inside.
Steve Farthing Your doc should be able to say what percent of mitral valves he is able to repair and how many repair ... Read more
Steve Farthing Your doc should be able to say what percent of mitral valves he is able to repair and how many repairs per year he performs. One study says he needs to do at least 20 per year to be reasonably proficient at mitral repairs.
Lisa Guinan Susan, did you get a repair or replace?
Barbara Wood I was told an 85% chance of repair but he wouldn't know until he got in there. I had had radiation fo ... Read more
Barbara Wood I was told an 85% chance of repair but he wouldn't know until he got in there. I had had radiation for breast cancer so he thought there might be some " surprises" when he got in. There weren't & I had the repair :). Good luck on your valve journey!
Susan Lynn Lisa - I had a repair via a minimally invasive entry, mini-thoracitomy, from Dr. Scott Goldman, ju ... Read more
Susan Lynn Lisa - I had a repair via a minimally invasive entry, mini-thoracitomy, from Dr. Scott Goldman, just outside of Philadelphia. It was very manageable and I'm a huge baby when it comes to anything medical. Best of luck to you.
Louanna Miller I do not find that to be an odd comment. Although the two surgeons I met with both said they prefer ... Read more
Louanna Miller I do not find that to be an odd comment. Although the two surgeons I met with both said they prefer to repair valves whenever that is possible. It’s best to keep your own valves.
My surgeon, Dr Patrick McCarthy, discussed replacement options. He explained he planned to repair my valve, but would not know for certain if my valve would need repair or replacement until he got in during surgery. So in the event replywas necessary, i chose a cow valve rather than a mechanical valve. Nine weeks ago today, Dr McCarthy repaired my valve and I have no regurgitation or leakage.
Rita Savelis No, that is not surprising - that's the truth. Doctors will try for a repair but can not know 100% if ... Read more
Rita Savelis No, that is not surprising - that's the truth. Doctors will try for a repair but can not know 100% if it will be possible until they get in there. This is why they ask you to decide on a type of replacement valve in case a repair is not ultimately possible. I couldn't have a repair because I had too much damage from childhood radiation, and that wasn't repairable. But for most mitral valves, a repair is definitely what the surgeon tries for and usually succeeds in. Your surgeon is being honest, which is a good thing.
If you aren't confident about the information you're getting, keep interviewing surgeons until you're comfortable with the approach. First and foremost, find a surgeon who does at least 100 mv repairs a year - there's no substitute for experience for this procedure. Best of luck!
My surgeon, Dr Patrick McCarthy, discussed replacement options. He explained he planned to repair my valve, but would not know for certain if my valve would need repair or replacement until he got in during surgery. So in the event replywas necessary, i chose a cow valve rather than a mechanical valve. Nine weeks ago today, Dr McCarthy repaired my valve and I have no regurgitation or leakage.