Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
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 CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on October 06, 1998 at 09:41:28:
In Reply to: Mitral Valve Surgery posted by Gary Geddes on October 02, 1998 at 14:56:49:
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, thank you for your question and for your support of the Heart Forum. I'm happy to hear that you will be coming to Cleveland Clinic for your mitral valve surgery. I'll answer each of your questions in order.
1. I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath,pain, etc.,), and wonder what would happen if I waited
until sysmptoms started.
With mitral valve regurgitation (leakage), we prefer to operate before symptoms develop since the onset of symptoms indicates that permanent damage to the left ventricle may have occurred. Many patients tolerate severe mitral regurgitation (MR) well since their left ventricles can handle the increased volume of blood it receives due to the leaky valve. However, over time, the left ventricle dilates with the increased blood volume and its contractile function deteriorates; this is when symptoms usually develop. By repairing or replacing the mitral valve early, left ventricular function is preserved and patient outcomes are better.
2. If Cleveland can do the procedure, how soon could I get in?
Our surgeons are among the best in the world for mitral valve surgery and they now do many of these surgeries through a minimally invasive approach (small incision). However, due to our surgeons' reputation, there is a waiting period for elective mitral valve surgery. Generally, it would be safe to wait for 1-2 months for this surgery. But, if you would like to check on your status, call 1-800-CCF-CARE and ask the operator to page Kathy at 24774. Kathy works for the cardiac surgery scheduling office and she would be happy to find out when your surgery is scheduled.
3. They say my cortaid is torn, is that serious and is that possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
I think you are referring to a torn chordae tendinae that is a fibrous structure that helps to tether the mitral valve leaflets in the closed position during the cardiac cycle. When a chordae is torn, the mitral valve leaflets don't close sufficiently so MR ensues. Generally, torn chordae can be repaired with a minimally invasive approach (keyhole incision), but each patient is different so I can't answer your question specifically.
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?
You should be able to resume your normal activities 6-8 weeks after surgery, including basketball.
5. Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my young children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland for a heart operation?
As for your children, I suggest that you be honest with them and emphasize that this will be only a temporary setback for you. I think they will respond well.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
In Reply to: Mitral Valve Surgery posted by Gary Geddes on October 02, 1998 at 14:56:49:
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, thank you for your question and for your support of the Heart Forum. I'm happy to hear that you will be coming to Cleveland Clinic for your mitral valve surgery. I'll answer each of your questions in order.
1. I don't have any symptoms (shortness of breath,pain, etc.,), and wonder what would happen if I waited
until sysmptoms started.
With mitral valve regurgitation (leakage), we prefer to operate before symptoms develop since the onset of symptoms indicates that permanent damage to the left ventricle may have occurred. Many patients tolerate severe mitral regurgitation (MR) well since their left ventricles can handle the increased volume of blood it receives due to the leaky valve. However, over time, the left ventricle dilates with the increased blood volume and its contractile function deteriorates; this is when symptoms usually develop. By repairing or replacing the mitral valve early, left ventricular function is preserved and patient outcomes are better.
2. If Cleveland can do the procedure, how soon could I get in?
Our surgeons are among the best in the world for mitral valve surgery and they now do many of these surgeries through a minimally invasive approach (small incision). However, due to our surgeons' reputation, there is a waiting period for elective mitral valve surgery. Generally, it would be safe to wait for 1-2 months for this surgery. But, if you would like to check on your status, call 1-800-CCF-CARE and ask the operator to page Kathy at 24774. Kathy works for the cardiac surgery scheduling office and she would be happy to find out when your surgery is scheduled.
3. They say my cortaid is torn, is that serious and is that possible to repair and is that possible via "keyhole"?
I think you are referring to a torn chordae tendinae that is a fibrous structure that helps to tether the mitral valve leaflets in the closed position during the cardiac cycle. When a chordae is torn, the mitral valve leaflets don't close sufficiently so MR ensues. Generally, torn chordae can be repaired with a minimally invasive approach (keyhole incision), but each patient is different so I can't answer your question specifically.
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?
You should be able to resume your normal activities 6-8 weeks after surgery, including basketball.
5. Do you have any suggestions on how to break this news to my young children (ages 5 & 9) that Daddy has to go to Cleveland for a heart operation?
As for your children, I suggest that you be honest with them and emphasize that this will be only a temporary setback for you. I think they will respond well.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
