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MVP Repair Surgery

I had MVP repair surgery recently (4/2/01) at NYU by their top cardiothoracic surgeon.  Surgery went well but I have been left with several symptoms that I cannot get an explanation to. Specifically, right after surgery, I developed a problem with my vision.  First, I could not focus on words on a page.  As the days went on, it went from bad to worse.  I sometimes saw double.  Sometimes, the room would spin uncontrollably when I tried to read.  I have been to two neurologists (as a precaution). I have my own, who believes it could be a result of medication (at the time, I was only on coumadin and persantine).  The neurologist I was sent to by the surgeon feels that it is from the stress of the surgery...causing migraines that are causing vision problems.  I disagree with this.  Speaking of migraines, that is my other symptom.  While I have a history of migraines, they came infrequently.  After surgery, they would come almost every day.  Again, I truly think it is the medication.  I have been to every sight on-line and cannot find info on this.  Yet, I have spoken to several people who have had this surgery or who have been on coumadin.  One individual who was put on coumadin said he never felt right on it.  He suffered from dizzy spells, nausea sometimes, headaches and vision problems.  I said, that sounds like me.  Another person I spoke to who had mvp repair suffered from headaches for quite some time after surgery.  I wish that I could find a forum for this speicif surgery with questions and answers from post-operative patients but I do not know of any good ones.  I do feel all of the symptoms will resolve in time, but have you ever heard of this after surgery?
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Avatar universal
My husband had extensive hand surgery. He was on the operating table for 8 hours and came out of recovery w/a headache. His headache was located in the back of his head, there was a large bump there.Since then he has developed a bald spot in that same area w/ severe frequent cluster headaches. I have since discovered that the bald spot is from pressure alopcia.This could have been prevented by moving the head during surgery. I have not linked the headaches with the pressure alopcia as of yet but wondered if some of those w/headaches also had a bald spot develope on the back of thier head during a lengthy surgey.
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Avatar universal
My husband had extensive hand surgery. He was on the operating table for 8 hours and came out of recovery w/a headache. His headache was located in the back of his head, there was a large bump there.Since then he has developed a bald spot in that same area w/ severe frequent cluster headaches. I have since discovered that the bald spot is from pressure alopcia.This could have been prevented by moving the head during surgery. I have not linked the headaches with the pressure alopcia as of yet but wondered if some of those w/headaches also had a bald spot develope on the back of thier head during a lengthy surgey.
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Avatar universal
Thank you Slye and thank you Emmaj.   The info has been very useful.  Its good to know someone else experienced the same symptoms.  I will visit the site you mentioned Emmaj.  Thank you both.
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Avatar universal
Thank you Emma and thank you Slye for the info.  They have been very useful.  It's goopd to know someone else experienced this and also good to know there is a sight that I have not tried yet.  I will visit it.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

Have you tried valvereplacement.com forum? I know you didn't have a replacement, but the symptoms you describe - migraines and vision problems - have been discussed at length on that forum. I would recommend it, though there is no archive at vr.com unfortunately. It's a very friendly site though, and people will jump to answer any questions you might have. Good luck! Emma
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Avatar universal
I had a mitral valve repair & single bypass in Feb 2000 and also noticed random blurriness in my vision. I went to the eye doctor & he said he would not even bother to examine me. He said that it is common for patients to have these vision problems after open heart surgery and that it is caused by the drugs given during and after surgery. These problems can last up to one year. At this point I am  still having some problems & now it seems that I have developed a cataract in my right eye - a "side effect" from my arrythmia drugs. I guess they can remove the cataract but I have to take the arrythmia drugs to keep my heart under control.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the responses to date.  I do take medications for migraines and they do help, but the visual disturbances are scary at times.  I never had them before.  Regarding Stan's comments, again thank you.  It is good to know that someone else experienced this.  I will also discuss this with my cardiologist.
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Avatar universal
I had mitral valve surgery done in May, 1999.  After the surgery I experienced numerous bouts of double vision.  I also developed optical migraines, which I never had before the surgery.  Now, two years later, the instances of double vision are rare but I still will have optical migraines every 4 weeks or so.  I have discussed this at length with my cardiologist and he has offered one possible explanation.  He feels my problems may be the result of a micro-embolism which occurred during the bypass phase of the surgery.  Visual disturbances after bypass surgery have been reported and are documented.  The hope is that, with time, these distubances will subside.
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Avatar universal
Dear Lemony,
There can be neurological symptoms following open heart surgery but it sounds as if you have been well evaluated for this and nothing has turned up.  I have never heard of coumadin causing these types of side effects.  Migranes can cause visual field changes (and I can attest to this from personal experience as well).  There are good medications for migranes now and I would suggest discussing this with your neurologist.
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