Time for mitral valve replacement

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dornole

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Joined
Jan 5, 2014
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1,176
Location
Minnesota, US
Met with cardiologist and cardiac surgeon today and they said mitral stenosis has become severe and symptomatic (shortness of breath, afib, TIA) and it is time for surgery, probably in the next month. They offered the option of trying another valvuloplasty, but it has a guarantee of worsening regurgitation by at least one level, leaving me with worse regurgitation instead of stenosis, and if the current regurgitation is moderate (which it may be, echo results have varied) they will not even attempt it. Plus if it goes badly that means emergency replacement. It is also unlikely to last more than 5-10 years (I was extraordinarily lucky to get 22 years out of the last one) and then I would need OHS anyway and be older. So I think I am just going to bite the bullet and do the replacement now.

Surgeon said I would definitely be getting a mechanical due to my age (56) and having rheumatic heart disease -- said I might only get 3-4 years out of a tissue valve because of these factors. As for repair, he said "Anyone who thinks they can repair that valve and give a durable result is lying to you." He said their practice usually uses the On-X because there's some evidence it's more resistant to pannus, plus they're just used to it. The INR is going to need to be high regardless, because it is a mitral valve.

They will also do an ablation while they are in there.

Lots to do -- see the dentist and maybe get a loose tooth pulled, TEE, cardiac cath to check out the blood vessels feeding the heart, sign the will and POAs that we luckily just updated recently, check out all the pre-op and post-op tips on these boards so that I'm prepared.

Weirdly I feel much better now since there's a plan.
 
Weirdly I feel much better now since there's a plan.
It's amazing how that works. When you're in the waiting room, all you can do is research and fret. Once things are in motion and you can take action, it's a relief (at least it was for me).

With your longtime membership in this forum, I doubt that you could be any better prepared than you are. And you know everyone will be eagerly awaiting your arrival on the "other side"!
 
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My valve replacement surgery is cancelled indefinitely due to national shortage of IV bags in the US (recent hurricane destroyed a factory that made 60% of the national supply for hospitals):

Indefinitely ...oh man

Stay safe mate, keep exercises to lower intensity mobility stuff.

Best Wishes
 
HI!

I hope you the best for your upcoming surgery. Delay will not be an issue.

Best wishes.
 
Wishing you the best of luck Dornole!

Please let us know how you're doing once you feel up to doing so. We'll see you on the other side :)
 
A friend of mine had a pacemaker put in approximately a year ago. When I saw her 6 months ago, she was in good spirits and said she was doing well with it. She even had the doctors put the device under her muscle so she could wear tank tops without it being noticed. (We live in Florida). She and her husband do a lot of sailing and she said it did not stop her from doing anything. She's had a mechanical mitral valve for 25 years. I'd ask her more about it but she recently moved to be near her daughter. I wish the best for you. Sending lots of good vibes your way.
 

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