Mitral valve replacement

[Andrea Carrillo]

My father had mitral valve replacement surgery in July, 1997; he was 61 at the time.  The surgery was performed by Michael Mack at Medical City, Dallas. The surgery appeared to be successful, however, in October, 1997 at a routine follow-up with his cardiologist, leakage was discovered and they admitted him immediately for another surgery (he was age 62 at this time and experiencing the same symptoms as before he had the replacement, shortness of breath, lack of energy, etc.).  It was discovered at the second surgery that several sutures had come loose and caused the leaking.  A repair was done, and appeared to be successful.  My father went to his cardiologist a week ago for a routine follow up, and because he was having symptons of shortness of breath when he would sit up from a lying position (other than that, no symptoms as before).  He had a cath. on Friday and it was determined that the valve is again leaking and he must have a 3rd surgery within the next month.  His cardiologist, J. Edward Rosenthal at Medical City, Dallas, has never seen this situation before.  Michael Mack has not seen this situation before.  Has anyone there seen this situation before?  We understood the risk of the leakage 3 months after the first surgery to be less than one percent.  Now, we appear to be in the zero percent range of this happening 2 years after the repair of the replacement valve.  I think it's important that you understand that my father is in excellent condition otherwise with no blockage and the actual muscle is in great shape.  Also, all his other systems are in fine shape. We have an appt. today with William Ryan at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for a second opinion.  Thank you for your input.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

It is possible, although unfortunate, for leakage to reoccur following a second valve surgery.  The only course is really a third surgery.  Things such as valve infection, which may cause leakage, should also be excluded.

[Hank Eyring]

Hello There Andrea,

I am writing you to let you know about a list that myself and several other Aortic Valve Replacement patients have going.

I am a 33 year old male who had aortic valve replacement surgery in April of 1999.  I often had questions about stuff like what do other people’s spouses think about their valves clicking, to how do the kids deal with Dad having major surgery.  Also issues about what is involved in approaching surgery, going through surgery and recovering from surgery. We also discuss the use of coumadin since most of us have to take it for the rest of our lives.

If you would like to join a mailing list along with folks who have been through this kind of stuff before and are facing it in the future, just go to the following URL and sign up.

http://frontpage.inficad.com/~hanky/heart.htm

You will find much help with this list and we all learn from each other.

Hope you can join us,

Hank Eyring

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thanks.

[jennifer]

my 3 year old son had surgery at age one to fix a complete artioventicular canal defect. now at his last visit to the doctor, i was told it time to put him on medicen. plus will we have to fix his mitral valve soon but he may also have to have a mechnical valve put in .please give me some information on this.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Please refer to the archives for postings on mechanical vs. tissue valves.