Valve repair after Endocarditis

[mtntop1]

Does anyone know if a Mitral Valve can be repaired after a person has had Bacterial Endocarditis.I had this back in 1987 and I am told that I will probably need a valve replacement in about three years,I'd rather have it repaired if possible.

John

 

[Ross]

This is one I honestly don't know the answer to, but hang in there, I'm sure someone around here does. Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[mtntop1]

Thanks

Thanks

I came across this forum while searching valve replacements everyone is very nice and the posts have been very helpful.

 

[Ross]

I wouldn't know why they couldn't repair it if it's not terribly bad, but I'm only guessing. I'll leave it for someone a little more qualified to answer.

We try to be friendly and nice. Sometimes we have to be another way, but thankfully, not that often.

 

[MelissaM]

Living Proof

Living Proof

Yes, it can be done. I am three years out from my repair after SBE. Go find the best surgeon you can. They are NOT all created equal, especially when it comes to repair.

 

[BillCobit]

Does anyone know if a Mitral Valve can be repaired after a person has had Bacterial Endocarditis.I had this back in 1987 and I am told that I will probably need a valve replacement in about three years,I'd rather have it repaired if possible.

John

Hi John

I had mine repaired after endocarditis. Repairability depends on how badly the valve is damaged. I had some perforations in the leaflets, but the surgeon was able to close them with a sliding patch repair.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Magnus]

I hear Dr. Gosta Pettersson at Cleveland Clinic specializes in repairs after endocarditis. You may want to call him and ask.

 

[liza]

I had mitral valve repair six months after being diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. I believe quite a few people on this website have had repairs after BE. Good luck!

Liza

 

[Karlynn]

If you are aiming for a repair, you should do research and find a doctor that does nothing but, or almost nothing but, repairs. It seems that this is the big key in getting a repair that lasts and I would think that it would be important in your specific case.

Best wishes!

 

[mtntop1]

Thank You

Thank You

Thank you everyone for the posts and information.I still have a few years before I need the operation ,so I have time to do a bit more research I know I have a few years before the procedure but I am still nervous about what to expect.

 

[mtntop1]

What are the symtoms

What are the symtoms

What are the symtoms for a Mitral Valve Replacment

 

[dkapuscik]

I had BE in Jan 06. Almost Died. Recovered and was heading down the road when a routine trip to the cardiologist and an Eco showed swelling of the heart. I had no severe symptoms other than fatigue and tiredness. The surgeion said he would rapair if posssible however he would not know if it was possible untill he saw the valve. I ended up with a St Jude MV. My valve was prety badly damaged. This guy was know for being able to do repairs. I just had to leave it up to him and God.

 

[mtntop1]

I had BE back in 1987 and it wasn't diagnosed for three weeks when they put me in the hospital on antibiotics and have been fine all those years except for a little shortness of breath when I get up real quick from sitting.I have had stress tests which are normal I walk four miles three times a week with no problem.My echo's over the years shows scar tissue on the MV.I still feel fine except for that shortness of breath and I still walk several times a week at a fast pace with no problem but my Cardiologist says I will need a valve replacment in five years or less.What are the other symtoms I should look for.

 

[catwoman]

Mtntop1:

Do you have copies of all echoes since 1987? Those would be extremely helpful, to compare ejection fraction, any change in size of the heart, particularly left atrium.

Cardiologists frequently take a wait-and-see approach; surgeons prefer to get in BEFORE the failing valve causes permanent enlargement or other damage to the heart.

Since you already have shortness of breath, might be a good idea to fast-forward your schedule for surgery & find a surgeon NOW for a consultation. It doesn't take long for a valve to deteriorate. I learned that 3 years ago.

 

[mtntop1]

The shortness of breath is only when I stand up real quick and only lasts about a minute or less ,when I am on a treadmill I am normal or when I am hiking my breathing is normal maybe this is why my Cardiologist is waiting.

 

[Georgia]

Some other symptoms you need to look for: visual disturbances (double vision, ocular migraines); cramping in the muscles of your back; numbness in your extremities (often only lasts a few seconds); asthma (my doc diagnosed as asthma, gave me a puffer; it was cardiac asthma, which went away immediately after surgery); puffiness in your feet; feelings of doom; a full/swollen feeling in your abdomen; awakening at night short of breath or needing to use more pillows; any increase in being short of breath; and decrease in energy.

Also understand that while we often say that symptoms come on so gradually we don't notice them (while the heart is compensating), you can go downhill VERY suddenly when things go bad. That's why people here have advised you to look into talking to a surgeon now.

Best of luck.

 

[jax3172]

Georgia's List

Georgia's List

Thankx Georgia! I found your list interesting. Since surgery I have been waking up with numbness in my hands and also short of breath. Once I wake up, I'm fine shortly thereafter. Interestingly enough, a very recent echo showed mild mitral annular calcification with mild leaflet thickening and all prior echos showed no problems with the mitral valve. Echo also showed mild PA. I guess I'll ask my docs about this in the next week. So I just got the AV replaced and now maybe the MV is crapping out! Lets not jump to conclusions!

 

[Georgia]

Geesh, Jack - that'd worry me. That sob while lying down is really a red flag. Hope you get it checked out. Good luck.