HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT SURGURY

[jdl]

MY SPOUSE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOCARDITUS (sP?)AND HAS JUST COMPLETED SIX WEEKS OF INTRAVEINUS ANTIBIOTICS.  HIS CARDIOLOGIST DID AN ECHO AND HAS SCHEDULKED A "TEE" (?) WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MURMUR HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND THAT NOW THERE MAY BE ANOTHER VALVE EFFECTED.  WHAT DOES A VALVE REPLACEMENT INVOLVE AND HOW WILL THIS CHANGE HIS LIFE.  WE THINK WE NEED TO GET A SECOND OPINION

THANK YOU

[lovebug04]

A related discussion, confused was started.

[Robmik]

I have a 21 year old daughter that has just been told this week that she will have to have all 4 valves replaced, she has had,  2 mild heart attacks and has been put on several different medications. up until the birth of her child she was basically a healthy child. she would get strep throat and tonsilitis a couple of times every year and still does. She was a premature birth with a mild heart murmur. After the birth of her child she has now on medication for thyroid, sugar, heart. It seems to me that there might be something else going in her body that might be causing all of this. I am really scared for her to go in and replace all 4 valves with no real explaination as to what the problem is.
Please help me!
Robin

[Ticker]

I'm a 45 year old U.K. male and had aortic valve replacement surgery two years ago. I was terrified beforehand but now I've never felt better or fitter in my life. The only lasting change to my life has been the need to take warfarin (I think U.S. call it Coumadin) every day and to have associated blood tests. I also have to avoid contact sports but the gym, tennis, walking, cycling, swimming etc. are all viable options.
Good luck.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear jdl,

Endocarditis is an infection of one of the valves of the heart.  Often the valve will already have had an underlying abnormality that predisposes it to infection.  One common type of abnormality is damage done by rheumatic fever.  Other causes could be congenital.  Once the bacteria has infected the valve more damage is done to the valve.  The treatment is usually protracted iv antibiotics.  Even after the infection has been eradicated the damage to the valve is still present and sometimes requires surgical repair.  A transesophagealechocardiogram (TEE) is often used to assess the heart valve.  This requires placing a small probe down the esophagus (swollowing tube) and sending doppler waves to look at the heart.  

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.

We would be happy to see him here for a second opinion.  I would recommend Dr. Stewart or Dr. Griffin.  You can make an appointment by calling the number below.