Reduce heart chamber question

[cp172]

Guys,

I have a question. My surgeon said that when he repairs my mitral valve he plans to reduce the size of my chamber by removing a sliver of the chamber. Anyone had this procedure done? I had so much info thrown at me when I met with the surgeon I did not followup on this particular comment with a question. This make sense?


Thanks,

CP

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi again CP -

Did your surgeon describe this in connection with the ablation you mentioned; is it a procedure related to the ablation?

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you. But if you don't get any other replies, just bump this thread up tomorrow with another post. Take care and post again.

 

[Atlanta Sweetheart]

Just wondering

Just wondering

is your left atrium extemely enlarged? I had my mitral valve repaired by the DaVinci robotic method in 2005. My left atrium was not yet enlarged, although the volume of blood in this chamber had doubled since my earliest ECHO. When is your surgery? Who is your Dr. and where are you having it done? I would definitely ask more questions. I am sure you will hear from someone on this site that has either had the procedure or heard of it. Wishing you a successful surgery!

 

[cp172]

Hi Susan and Cindy,

The surgeon told me that he would do an ablation (to elimiate AF caused by mitral valve prolapse), repair mitral valve and reduce my atrium. I am having surgery done at Medical Center of Central Ga in Macon the first week of February. I know the atruim is enlarged but I do not know by how much. I am going to get a copy of my echo faxed to me next week. Think this will give me info I need? Sorry I am asking so many questions but my surgery is coming up fast and I feel confused.

I have a friend who is a surgeon and I am going to try and get his opinion next week about whether I am proceeding down the right path or not.

Thanks,

CP

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I've never heard of it, but maybe it is something new. My heart was extremely enlarged, but after the surgery it eventually went back to a normal size.

 

[Mike]

try this

try this

http://www.mayoclinic.org/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/treatment.html

and try to find out what condition they believe your heart is in.

Mike's surgeon did a reduction when he replaced the aortic and mitral valves in 2004. His heart was very enlarged and the surgeon said a lot of the tissue in there was diseased. It was a great success and Mike feels soooooooooo good now.

May you find all the information you need to move forward with confidence in successful treatment.

Diana

 

[kfay]

CP, this is called a plication. My surgeon is has discussed doing my right atrium when I have my surgery in Marchif he feels the need once he is in there. As I understand it, it is just a reduction in the size when it has become too enlarged. It is different than an ablation procedure or a maze procedure. I'm also going to have that done as well.

Kim

 

[Adrienne]

Recently I have read a couple of times about surgeons cutting away part of the ventricle of CHF patients, and it seems to help. I don't know if you are talking about the same thing.

 

[Christina L]

I really have no idea

I really have no idea

what your doctor is talking about, but I am guessing that he is going to staple shut the atrial appendage and that would reduce the size (?) and a get rid of the little pocket where clots can form. That is what was done during my mitral valve repair. My heart size has not shrunk appreciably since surgery but the only chamber that is "slightly dilated" is my left atrium. I am guessing that now having a slight stenosis from the ring around the mitral annulus, that it won't shrink, but hopefully won't get any larger. My left atrial size is around 4.3 and has stayed that size since before the surgery 4 years ago. Someone on this board (if I remember right) said that the left and right atria don't reduce in size post surgery as much as the ventricles. ??? Don't quote me on that one.

Christina L

 

[DebbyA]

Please call your surgeon or your cardiologist or both and ask for an explanation. It's their job. They're used to it. Many offices have a nurse practitioner who handles these questions. I called my cardiologist about a surgical option the surgeon mentioned, and SHE called the surgeon, then called me.

 

[cp172]

Guys..I should have quizzed my surgeon about this matter when he told me what his plans were.He was providing so much info and I was not digesting the data very well so I botched this portion of the discussion. I will address the subject of the nip/tuck of the heart this week with him. Thanks for the VR family being there to help!

CP

 

[KatieD]

One of the surgeons I met with before my mitral valve repair surgery talked to me about "shaving" part of the wall of my heart off because it had become thickened. Boy, did the thought of that give me the creeps! I talked to my sister-in-law about it who had recently had mitral valve and aortic valve replacements. She is an RN and said they had done that with her when she had her surgery. She furthermore acted like it was pretty common.

I ended up having surgery with a different surgeon. During my consult with him I asked about the "shaving" thing and didn't get the feeling it was something they really talked with patients about, if they need to do it they do. I haven't gotten the notes from my surgery to find out any more details on whether he did or didn't have to "shave" the wall of my heart.

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Hello

Hello

I had a subaortic membrane 'clipped' at the same time I had a mitral valve touch up and the chamber was also 'shaved'. It took three times on and off the heart-lung bypass machine before the desired effect was achieved...in other words they kept shaving away 3 separate times. I didn't know at the time that they were going to go in and shave the heart away like they did.....however I feel great so there are no complaints from this lady.
Best of luck to you!
DJ

 

[MikeHeim]

I had it done, but I have no idea how common it is. I was not in CHF but did have significant enlargement. My surgeon never mentioned it to me during my consult, so I believe it was a spot decision on his part. Let me know if you have any further questions. I don't believe that my life or recovery has been impacted because of it.

 

[cp172]

Hi Guys,

I found out a lot of answers today. Both my left ventricle and atrium are dilated. The ventricle is expected to return to normal once my MV is repaired. The surgeon plans to give my atrium a "dart" procedure (not a medical term..like whats done when someone takes in pants) to reduce the size of the atrium. I have had lengthy conversation with a friend who is a heart surgeon and am now at peace about all my decisions. It is now up to the surgeon's hands and God's will. I still can not believe they can do all this in such a small incision. My friend told me to stop worrying about those details since that is what they get paid for.


Really enjoyed Sunday's chat!

Thanks for being there,

CP

 

[Missy]

I have never heard of this but sure wish I could have had it done way back in '98 when I had my MVR. I am chronic AF from enlarged atrium. I wonder if it is ever done independent of the valve replacement. Not that I am volunteering but if the risks weren't too high????? Who knows. It might help me and others with AF.
If anyone hears would you post?
Thanks