I had the TEE today and then met with the valve expert. The TEE still showed moderate regurgitation of the mitral valve. The echo a few weeks ago showed severe ...Read more
I had the TEE today and then met with the valve expert. The TEE still showed moderate regurgitation of the mitral valve. The echo a few weeks ago showed severe regurgitation so they ordered the TEE. Now they want to do a coronary angiogram to see why I'm having angina like symptoms and shortness of breath. Otherwise I watch and wait until someday if it goes to severe regurgitation.
Kathy Blank I know it is frustrating not to have things decided but it is important you have all the tests so the ... Read more
Kathy Blank I know it is frustrating not to have things decided but it is important you have all the tests so the surgeon knows what they are dealing with prior to your OHS. I also found that going to several cardiologists and several surgeons gave me the most information I needed. Also- I was able to skip some tests once I chose the surgeon and he explained my specific valve disorder. Main thing clear picture of specific heart issue(s) and surgical plan to tackle this issue. At that point you get the most experienced and successful surgeon for your exact procedure!
Sue Bissonette I've been to a couple of cardiologists. One group says we wait the other says we should repair it now ... Read more
Sue Bissonette I've been to a couple of cardiologists. One group says we wait the other says we should repair it now. One test shows this another test something else. I never have a clear picture. As I'm sure a lot of you know, the process can be so frustrating.
I have another question. I've seen on this site a couple of comments that some of these valve repairs are considered to be "elective surgeries." How does that ...Read more
I have another question. I've seen on this site a couple of comments that some of these valve repairs are considered to be "elective surgeries." How does that work with insurance etc??
Darlene Smith My surgery was considered elective and had to be approved by my insurance. But there was no issue wit ... Read more
Darlene Smith My surgery was considered elective and had to be approved by my insurance. But there was no issue with the approval. My thoughts are there is a difference between elective as in now verses later, and a surgery that isn't medically necessary like lasik for your eyes. Our valves are damaged, it's just a matter of when to do the surgery and if your surgeon supports now, I don't think your insurance will be an issue.
Civita Fahey H Sue, Darlene is right elective in this situation means that it has to be done as its medically nece ... Read more
Civita Fahey H Sue, Darlene is right elective in this situation means that it has to be done as its medically necessary, its just that its not emergent.. The insurance should have no issues with that. I am having AVR in April of this year. I chose the spring to have it done so hopefully I can recover in some good weather. best of luck.
I have had moderate regurgitation of the mitral valve which we've been watching for a few years. A couple weeks ago I had chest pains and discovered the valve ...Read more
I have had moderate regurgitation of the mitral valve which we've been watching for a few years. A couple weeks ago I had chest pains and discovered the valve has now gone to severe regurgitation. I'm scheduled for a TEE in a couple weeks and then meeting with a cardiothorasic surgeon. I'm nervous and I don't know what's next.
Steve Farthing HI Sue - Maybe the surgeon can repair the mitral valve!
Sue Bissonette Can they repair it without doing open heart surgery?
Steve Farthing Not quite yet, but they can perform a repair with various methods using much smaller incisions than t ... Read more
Steve Farthing Not quite yet, but they can perform a repair with various methods using much smaller incisions than traditional open heart surgery - if you find the right surgeon who knows how. Search for minimal incision heart surgery.
Phyllis Petersen I had robotic mitral valve repair (as did several others on here), which is an incision on the right ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I had robotic mitral valve repair (as did several others on here), which is an incision on the right side and a bunch of small holes, plus two very small incisions for the heart/lung machine, but does not involve opening the sternum. There is also another side entry technique which is minimally invasive. Besides exploring what techniques are available with your surgeon (or another surgeon at the hospital), what they find with the early testing will have a bearing on your choices. There is a tremendous amount of info on this site, experiences of many others, and a very supportive community to help you through.
Sue Bissonette Thanks for the info. I would imagine that since I have severe regurgitation and I'm already scheduled ... Read more
Sue Bissonette Thanks for the info. I would imagine that since I have severe regurgitation and I'm already scheduled to meet with the cardiothorasic surgeon that surgery is in my future.
Emily Rowley Hi Sue. I know this is a difficult time for you-I have been there with my Mitral Valve Reguritation g ... Read more
Emily Rowley Hi Sue. I know this is a difficult time for you-I have been there with my Mitral Valve Reguritation going from mild-severe. At this point you will need Heart Surgery. Hopefully they can Repair your valve. It's good idea to have questions prepared for when you meet with your Cardiothoraic Surgeon. It's important to take a trusted close relative or friend along and to feel comfortable with you Surgeon (It's normal to feel nervous), having them explain everything well and taking the time to listen to your concerns. Wishing you all the very best. Loooking forward to hearing updates from you 😀
Kim Jones I am going in on Wed to have open heart valve repair,hopefully. I was thinking of running to Mexico y ... Read more
Kim Jones I am going in on Wed to have open heart valve repair,hopefully. I was thinking of running to Mexico yesterday, but decided mitral valves don't fix themselves. It is scary but I know I will feel better,and hearing others stories gives me strength. The TEE is easy. The numbing stuff they give you to swallow is yucky. Then you fall asleep for a bit and when you wake up if you are like me you will ask for coffee first thing.
Phyllis Petersen My regurg was 4+ on a scale of 1-4, so I know the fear, confusion and anxiousness to get it done and ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen My regurg was 4+ on a scale of 1-4, so I know the fear, confusion and anxiousness to get it done and over with. Emily is right about writing questions down and not being afraid to ask every one that you have until you feel you've gotten the info you need. As for bringing someone with you, your mind is trying to absorb so much while feeling overwhelmed that it'll be great if you have another set of ears because much of it will go blank the minute you walk out of the office.
Charlene Lanigan My TEE test showed 4 also and was told to have surgery soon. I met with surgeon and date is set for ... Read more
Charlene Lanigan My TEE test showed 4 also and was told to have surgery soon. I met with surgeon and date is set for Feb. 7 with an angiogram the day before. I feel very confident everything will be okay. I just know it's a long recovery. Don't be nervous, you'll do fine! Read lots in this wonderful website and it helps a lot!
Emily Rowley Thanks Phyllis 🙂 So true about feeling overwhelmed with your mind trying to absorb all the info an ... Read more
Emily Rowley Thanks Phyllis 🙂 So true about feeling overwhelmed with your mind trying to absorb all the info and process what your Surgeon is saying & go blank once out of the office! I'm so glad I had my family with me to help be another pair of (supportive) ears. I wrote it all down on my way home in a little journal I have kept. If you don't have someone to take with you, there is the option of taking a vioce recorder and asking their permission (try not to be afraid of asking, they are probably asked on a regular bases). Good luck 😃
Kim Jones I was able to have my mom on face time, for me it was comforting. She is a nurse and retired from her ... Read more
Kim Jones I was able to have my mom on face time, for me it was comforting. She is a nurse and retired from her position as surgery director. Whatever works,it helped having my husband there too.
Sue Bissonette Thank you all for your feedback. I will research some questions to ask the surgeon,unless you can thi ... Read more
Sue Bissonette Thank you all for your feedback. I will research some questions to ask the surgeon,unless you can think of specific things I should ask, and my husband will come with me to help me remember the information.
Dr. Luis Castro is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
