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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Mitral Valve Surgery
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 Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Mitral Valve Surgery
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on October 05, 1998 at 12:04:09:
In Reply to: Mitral Valve Surgery posted by Gary Geddes on October 05, 1998 at 10:48:13:
After a recent physical my doctor noticed a significant heart murmur and
sent me to a cardiologist. After an ecco & TEE my cardiologist says I
have sever leakage of the mitral valve. He has forwarded all the tapes &
data to the Cleveland Clinic for evaluation. I am currently waiting to
hear if I can have repair/replacement performed there. I do have some
questions:
1. I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath,pain, etc.,), and
wonder what would happen if I waited until sysmptoms started.
2. If Cleveland can do the procedure, how soon could I get in?
3. They say my cortaid is torn, is that serious and is that
possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
(sorry for so many questions)
4. I forgot to mention that I am 41 years old, very active phyiscally
and have played basketball weekly since high school. Upon doctors
orders I have stopped, will I be able to resume basketball?
5. Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my
youn children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland
for a heart operation?
Thank You, P.S. Your website is very informative...
Gary
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Gary,
Topic Area: Mitral Valve
Thank you for your question and we look forward to seeing you here soon. I have answered your questions below and included some other questions from patients.
Q: I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath, pain, etc.,), and
wonder what would happen if I waited until symptoms started.
A: Once symptoms develop it is often too late to reverse the damage done. Thus we operate before symptoms start.
Q: If surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic can perform the procedure, how soon could I get in?
A: You should be hearing from us soon concerning an appointment. If you have not heard anything check with your doctor on the progress. The wait for a surgical time will depend somewhat on the surgeon with Dr. Cosgrove having the longest wait for elective procedures of about 3 months.
Q: They say my cordae is torn, is that serious and is that possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
A: Yes and yes however the particular surgical approach will depend upon the specifics of your case.
Q: I am 41 years old, very active phyiscally and have played basketball weekly since high school. Upon doctors orders I have stopped, will I be able to resume basketball?
A: Most people are able to resume their previous activities after surgery.
Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my
you children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland
for a heart operation?
A: I would be straightforward and explain things in terms they can understand.
Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for repair of the mitral valve vs. replacement?
A: Repair of the mitral valve vs. replacement with a bioprothesis or mechanical valve can only be determined in the operating room. If the damage is not repairable then it is replaced. The bioprothesis valve is from either a pig or cow and lasts about 10 years. The advantage is that long-term anticoagulation is not required. The disadvantage is that it will need replaced. The mechanical valve (usually a St. Jude's) lasts for a lifetime but requires anticoagulation with coumadin.
Q: Does MVP get worse?
A: Yes, MVP can worsen with time.
Q: What will a heart cath show?
A: Cath is the "gold standard" to determine the degree of mitral regurgitation and also will determine if blockages in the coronary arteries exist that need bypass surgery at the same time.
Q: Is surgery necessary if there is no other leak besides the MVP?
A: It may be necessary depending upon the degree of regurgitation.
Q: Do you at the Clinic recommend valve repair surgery to everyone with MVP or is it only for those with certain problems?
A: It is better to repair the valve if technically feasible.
Q: For the surgery, do you have to crack open the rib cage to get to the damaged area? On
average, how long does the surgery take? -
A: Some surgeons are performing "mini" mitral valve repairs where a smaller incision is used and the breast bone is not cracked. The use of this approach will depend upon the specific case. Surgery usually takes from 2 to 4 hours.
Q: How long (approximately) is recovery time?
A: Usually 5 to 7 days in the hospital and 4 to 6 weeks at home.
Q: Are there any dietary or other restrictions before/after the surgery we should know about? -
A: Limit salt intake to help cut down on fluid overload. Otherwise no restrictions except what your doctor tells you.
Q: Statistically, how many patients diagnosed with mitral valve disorders are treated with repair versus replacement surgeries, and what are some of the advantages/disadvantages to both types of surgeries?
A: About 85% of persons with Mitral Valve Prolapse will get repair.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.ccf.org/heartcenter/patinfo/patguide/heartva.html
Hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any additional questions.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist
Valve Surgery
In Reply to: Mitral Valve Surgery posted by Gary Geddes on October 05, 1998 at 10:48:13:
After a recent physical my doctor noticed a significant heart murmur and
sent me to a cardiologist. After an ecco & TEE my cardiologist says I
have sever leakage of the mitral valve. He has forwarded all the tapes &
data to the Cleveland Clinic for evaluation. I am currently waiting to
hear if I can have repair/replacement performed there. I do have some
questions:
1. I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath,pain, etc.,), and
wonder what would happen if I waited until sysmptoms started.
2. If Cleveland can do the procedure, how soon could I get in?
3. They say my cortaid is torn, is that serious and is that
possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
(sorry for so many questions)
4. I forgot to mention that I am 41 years old, very active phyiscally
and have played basketball weekly since high school. Upon doctors
orders I have stopped, will I be able to resume basketball?
5. Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my
youn children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland
for a heart operation?
Thank You, P.S. Your website is very informative...
Gary
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Gary,
Topic Area: Mitral Valve
Thank you for your question and we look forward to seeing you here soon. I have answered your questions below and included some other questions from patients.
Q: I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath, pain, etc.,), and
wonder what would happen if I waited until symptoms started.
A: Once symptoms develop it is often too late to reverse the damage done. Thus we operate before symptoms start.
Q: If surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic can perform the procedure, how soon could I get in?
A: You should be hearing from us soon concerning an appointment. If you have not heard anything check with your doctor on the progress. The wait for a surgical time will depend somewhat on the surgeon with Dr. Cosgrove having the longest wait for elective procedures of about 3 months.
Q: They say my cordae is torn, is that serious and is that possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
A: Yes and yes however the particular surgical approach will depend upon the specifics of your case.
Q: I am 41 years old, very active phyiscally and have played basketball weekly since high school. Upon doctors orders I have stopped, will I be able to resume basketball?
A: Most people are able to resume their previous activities after surgery.
Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my
you children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland
for a heart operation?
A: I would be straightforward and explain things in terms they can understand.
Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for repair of the mitral valve vs. replacement?
A: Repair of the mitral valve vs. replacement with a bioprothesis or mechanical valve can only be determined in the operating room. If the damage is not repairable then it is replaced. The bioprothesis valve is from either a pig or cow and lasts about 10 years. The advantage is that long-term anticoagulation is not required. The disadvantage is that it will need replaced. The mechanical valve (usually a St. Jude's) lasts for a lifetime but requires anticoagulation with coumadin.
Q: Does MVP get worse?
A: Yes, MVP can worsen with time.
Q: What will a heart cath show?
A: Cath is the "gold standard" to determine the degree of mitral regurgitation and also will determine if blockages in the coronary arteries exist that need bypass surgery at the same time.
Q: Is surgery necessary if there is no other leak besides the MVP?
A: It may be necessary depending upon the degree of regurgitation.
Q: Do you at the Clinic recommend valve repair surgery to everyone with MVP or is it only for those with certain problems?
A: It is better to repair the valve if technically feasible.
Q: For the surgery, do you have to crack open the rib cage to get to the damaged area? On
average, how long does the surgery take? -
A: Some surgeons are performing "mini" mitral valve repairs where a smaller incision is used and the breast bone is not cracked. The use of this approach will depend upon the specific case. Surgery usually takes from 2 to 4 hours.
Q: How long (approximately) is recovery time?
A: Usually 5 to 7 days in the hospital and 4 to 6 weeks at home.
Q: Are there any dietary or other restrictions before/after the surgery we should know about? -
A: Limit salt intake to help cut down on fluid overload. Otherwise no restrictions except what your doctor tells you.
Q: Statistically, how many patients diagnosed with mitral valve disorders are treated with repair versus replacement surgeries, and what are some of the advantages/disadvantages to both types of surgeries?
A: About 85% of persons with Mitral Valve Prolapse will get repair.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.ccf.org/heartcenter/patinfo/patguide/heartva.html
Hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any additional questions.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist
Valve Surgery
