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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
New Valve Surgery for older patients?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
New Valve Surgery for older patients?
by jhubb, Aug 05, 2003 12:00AM
Hello, my father is 80 years old and has had a long history of heart problems, with many bypasses, angioplasties, etc. He just found out that he needs a valve surgery, which we've been told is an open-heart procedure. At his age, there is concern about such an invasive procedure. I have heard through a friend that the Cleveland Clinic offers a new valve surgery that is not open-heart which is ideal for older patients. My parents are going to the doctor on Thursday and would like to bring this surgery to the attention of my father's doctor. Can I have some information on this procedure? I have found some valve surgery info on your site, but I want to be sure I've got the right thing.
Thank you,
Jeanne Hubbard
Thank you,
Jeanne Hubbard
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Aug 05, 2003 12:00AM
Jeanne,
Thanks for the post.
I am not aware of any new valve surgery here that is "non-open heart". Furthermore, newer minimally invasive techniques are generally more dangerous in patients who have had prior surgeries due to the scar tissue and altered anatomy produced by the prior surgeries.
I have recently heard that one of our interventional cardiologists will be starting a percutaneous valve protocol. I do not have any of the details. This type of procedure is experimental and will probably be reserved for patients without other options. I believe Dr Murat Tuzcu will be the lead investigator. You can learn more about him on our website.
Even if we don't have what you are looking for, I would recommend that you have your father seen at a large center. Repeat open-heart surgeries are tricky and require considerable technical expertise.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your father.
Thanks for the post.
I am not aware of any new valve surgery here that is "non-open heart". Furthermore, newer minimally invasive techniques are generally more dangerous in patients who have had prior surgeries due to the scar tissue and altered anatomy produced by the prior surgeries.
I have recently heard that one of our interventional cardiologists will be starting a percutaneous valve protocol. I do not have any of the details. This type of procedure is experimental and will probably be reserved for patients without other options. I believe Dr Murat Tuzcu will be the lead investigator. You can learn more about him on our website.
Even if we don't have what you are looking for, I would recommend that you have your father seen at a large center. Repeat open-heart surgeries are tricky and require considerable technical expertise.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your father.
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