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I'd say go with the tissue valve in the mitral position. 100% of the surgeons I have spoken to agree that tissue is the way to go with the mitral valve. Also consider the fact that within ten years, if the tissue valve goes, you'll have it replaced via catheter and not OHS according to most doctors.

In which position? I've discussed this with a few surgeons in both NY and Cleveland (specifically for a re-op). I know with the mitral valve, they all agree tissue is the way to go now. As for the aortic, depending on your age, I'd probably take the mechanical route.

I've asked this exact question to several doctors/surgeons. All of them say the exact same thing.....avoid heavy weightlifting (toning stuff is fine) and do whatever you feel is right with cardio workouts. No restrictions on running, stairmaster, group exercise, etc.

That's very interesting to hear. Perhaps I will contact Dr. Murphy's office to see what they say. I spoke to my surgeon on the phone a few weeks ago and he advised the re-repair would have to be done with a sternotomy. It may be a minimally invasive one with a smaller incision, but he assured me...

From what the Cleveland Clinic has told me, they will only do a sternotomy to re-repair/replace a mitral valve that was already repaired using the DaVinci system. It has something to do with already collapsing the lung once before (or so they say). I'm assuming with the thoracotomy, they also...

David Adams MD, Mt. Sinai. www.mitralvalverepair.org

I may be able to answer the first two..... 1) Like stated before, you have to be a candidate, but it depends on a couple factors. In the NYC area, there are only a few surgeons that use the DaVinci, one being Argenziano at Columbia. 2) In regards to other surgeons, I hear Dr. Adams at Mt...

I'm not referring to the clip what so ever, that's actually old news when it comes to isolated mitral surgery. I do however agree that recovering from the DaVinci is twenty times easier that a sternotomy or thoracotomy.

The reason why I have that opinion is there's a "feel" factor (surgeon's hand) if you will, that the Da Vinci does not necessarily replicate when repairing the valve. In a situation where there is a flailing valve and the need for artificial chordae to be attached along with the annuloplasty...

I have to agree with many of the points made here and disagree with a few others. The DaVinci approach is much more easier to recover from vs a traditional sternotomy. You are usually out of the hospital a little sooner and able to resume normal activity earlier as well. However, it's not the...

Were you on beta blockers pre-op? I know that post-op, you're probably on a fairly high dosage which can often keep v-tach in check.

Good news. Yeah, same thing with me only that my regurgitation was mild. The only "possible" explanation I received was the direction of the regurgitation may cause the murmur. Who knows.

I just asked the same question a few weeks ago on this board. I have a fairly pronounced murmur, yet the valve has a mild leak. Both the surgeon and cardiologist agree that there is nothing to be concerned with after reviewing the echo.

That's pretty much what I'm getting from my cardiologist and the surgeon in Cleveland. I think the littlest thing sets me off now if something doesn't sound right. Thanks for the replies.

Thanks. I should have searched the forum.

Just curious. Do any of you post-op patients still have a murmur? I went for my check up yesterday and actually heard my murmur for the first time and it's loud (IMO). Thing is, my echo from last week and months before that are great. My MV repair still has a mild leak (as expected), but since...

There are a few different groups studying valve replacement in the mitral position via catheter. Here's one www.endovalve.com . In regards to isolated mitral valve surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, you may want to look into Gillinov, Petterson or Mihaljevic.

I agree that the CC will probably recommend a tissue valve over the mechanical. Regarding the surgeon, well that's your choice to make. When I had my surgery last year, I made that decision on my own. If you want the CC to make that call you may. To be honest, I haven't heard of any novice...

I'm not waiting, but had it done just over a year ago. Feel free to ask any questions.

One year down yesterday.....now if only it lasts another 60, I'll be happy.:thumbup: