Re: Mitral Valve Repair

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on February 18, 1999 at 10:11:56:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve Repair posted by Douglas on February 18, 1999 at 06:05:46:






On a stress echo yesterday, the report said "1815 ventricular ectopy beats" (12-minute test).  What does this mean?
Secondly, after reviewing the echo results, etc., my cardiologist told me I need to have mitral valve repair or replacement relatively immediately (2 - 3 weeks).  Surgeon believes I have a good chance for a repair instead of replacment.  My question is:  is the recovery period the same?  does a repair require the use of long-term medications (e.g., Coumadin)?  Is is true that repair surgery (time in OR) is longer for repair than for replamcement; if so, why?
This is an important forum.  My thanks to CCF for keeping it going.
Shannon




I'm not sure if repair has a longer recovery time than replacement. I'm a 30 Yr Old Male. with a history of heart disease......IE.....Congestive heart failure, ASD......VSD........MIA........I, was recently told by my cardiologist at the UWMC University Of Washington Medical center That I not only need heart surgery on my Mitral Valve.....But it can't be repaired it's at the point of replacement to nessesitite my life.......I, only can imignine wwhat turmoil you are currently dealing with now at this piticular point in your life.....Just as I,only thing is the worst thing I, have to deal with is facing this issue alone. No Family.....
God Bless & Take Care
Douglas in Seattle.




Dear Douglas, thank you for your input to the heart forum.