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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Mitral Valve replacement
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 replacement
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on October 23, 1998 at 10:55:51:
In Reply to: Mitral Valve replacement posted by Chris Bray on October 22, 1998 at 18:28:49:
I known you have answered related questions about this, but I hope for more information and I understand each case is different. I am a 38 year old white male, non-smoker, non-drinker, 5' 9", 160 lbs. I have normal blood pressure. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur in 1994, after having served 12 years in the army without any indication of this. When I went for a routine physical, the doctor said I had a murmur and this, through testing was determined to be a mitral valve problem. In August 1998, I was reevaluated for the same problem by Scott and White Hospital in Temple Texas. My HMO Doctor told me that I would need surery at some point for repair. He has not told me the repair techniques procedures or options and I have not spoken to a heart surgeon yet. Could you tell me these? I have read some of your replies to others on this subject and I would like to know if there are any significant "numbers" regarding the condition of my heart that are particularly noteworthy that I should be tracking. I understand what Mitral value regurgitation is and I have seen my heart pump and the faulty value during my echo. My concenr is that my hear occassionaly beats louder than normal in the last few years, I am certainly more tired that I feel I should be, and my heart seems to flutter or have frequent palpitations. Is it time that I request a halter monitor? I wore one for 24 hours in 1994 when the problem was first detected, but the problem I don't think was as bad then and I was more physically active. I do not exercise nearly as much as I used to because I am afraid this might cause problems.
________
Dear Chris, thank you for your question. It sounds like you have severe mitral regurgitation and that you are now a candidate for mitral valve repair or replacement. Typically, it's better to fix the mitral valve earlier rather than waiting. With modern techniques, >80% of the mitral valves that need repair can be successfully repaired. The technique involves removing a redundant portion of one of the mitral valve leaflets, tightening up the leaflet with sutures, and reinforcing the mitral valve supporting structure called the annulus. In 15-20% of cases, the mitral valve is too degenerative to repair and valve replacement is necessary. Surgeons here at the Cleveland Clinic have pioneered a technique of mitral valve repair using a minimally invasive approach with a smaller incision which reduces the post-operative stay and shortens the recuperation period. You may perceive that your heart is beating stronger now which is probably related to the increased contractility of your heart that happens to eject the increased blood volume in the left ventricle from the leaking mitral valve. You certainly may be having premature beats to cause you to have palpitations and this may be related to an enlarged left atrium from the mitral regurgitation. Only your physician can determine whether you need to wear another Holter Monitor to investigate this problem.
I think you should start investigating a possible mitral valve repair procedure with your cardiologist.
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 replacement posted by Chris Bray on October 22, 1998 at 18:28:49:
I known you have answered related questions about this, but I hope for more information and I understand each case is different. I am a 38 year old white male, non-smoker, non-drinker, 5' 9", 160 lbs. I have normal blood pressure. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur in 1994, after having served 12 years in the army without any indication of this. When I went for a routine physical, the doctor said I had a murmur and this, through testing was determined to be a mitral valve problem. In August 1998, I was reevaluated for the same problem by Scott and White Hospital in Temple Texas. My HMO Doctor told me that I would need surery at some point for repair. He has not told me the repair techniques procedures or options and I have not spoken to a heart surgeon yet. Could you tell me these? I have read some of your replies to others on this subject and I would like to know if there are any significant "numbers" regarding the condition of my heart that are particularly noteworthy that I should be tracking. I understand what Mitral value regurgitation is and I have seen my heart pump and the faulty value during my echo. My concenr is that my hear occassionaly beats louder than normal in the last few years, I am certainly more tired that I feel I should be, and my heart seems to flutter or have frequent palpitations. Is it time that I request a halter monitor? I wore one for 24 hours in 1994 when the problem was first detected, but the problem I don't think was as bad then and I was more physically active. I do not exercise nearly as much as I used to because I am afraid this might cause problems.
________
Dear Chris, thank you for your question. It sounds like you have severe mitral regurgitation and that you are now a candidate for mitral valve repair or replacement. Typically, it's better to fix the mitral valve earlier rather than waiting. With modern techniques, >80% of the mitral valves that need repair can be successfully repaired. The technique involves removing a redundant portion of one of the mitral valve leaflets, tightening up the leaflet with sutures, and reinforcing the mitral valve supporting structure called the annulus. In 15-20% of cases, the mitral valve is too degenerative to repair and valve replacement is necessary. Surgeons here at the Cleveland Clinic have pioneered a technique of mitral valve repair using a minimally invasive approach with a smaller incision which reduces the post-operative stay and shortens the recuperation period. You may perceive that your heart is beating stronger now which is probably related to the increased contractility of your heart that happens to eject the increased blood volume in the left ventricle from the leaking mitral valve. You certainly may be having premature beats to cause you to have palpitations and this may be related to an enlarged left atrium from the mitral regurgitation. Only your physician can determine whether you need to wear another Holter Monitor to investigate this problem.
I think you should start investigating a possible mitral valve repair procedure with your cardiologist.
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.
