2 yrs post-mitral valve repair

[distances]

Two yrs. post-mitral valve repair surgery for regurg & MVP, Echo shows valve leaking again. The previous post-surgery Echos were fine. Cardio conferred with surgeon and decided to "wait 'n see" unless symptoms get worse. Yet, Cardio scheduled me for appt. to come in again. This whole turn of events is surprising to me. Repair surgery failure? Any comments are appreciated.

 

[Karlynn]

It is not uncommon for repairs to fail. There could be many factors to choose from as to why your repaired valve is leaking.
A few might be:
Experience of surgeon doing repair (gathering from your other post that you had this covered.)

The degree to which your valve was defective at the time of the repair. If it was a toss-up for the surgeon on whether to repair or replace and they repaired yours to "buy you time", eventual failure would not be a surprise.

Many other unknowns - infection on valve weakening the repair.

Many people are told that they are going in for a repair and wake up to find they had a replacement. Many surgeons do this when they believe a repair would either not work at all, or not last long.

How much of a leak do you have now? Trace, mild, moderate etc.? Are you getting exercise? If not, check with your doctor about starting an exercise program.

Oh, and by the way, WELCOME!

 

[Christina L]

Yes, repairs

Yes, repairs

do fail and that is my biggest fear, although my cardiologist said he believes my repair will last my lifetime. I would not panic, though, as you could have sprung a leak that will remain mild and benign for years and years. I had my mitral valve prolapse with moderate regurgitation for all my life and only needed surgery at 44.

My valve was a very messy valve to repair (mitral valve prolapse with both anterior and posterior leaflets redundant and thickened). That is why I am a little more fearful than most.

I did read somewhere on the web before my repair that upwards of 80-90% of mitral valve repairs are still viable at 10 years out. That is a very high percentage. It does depend on the skill of your surgeon and I do know that Gaudiani is one of the best mitral valve surgeons. I almost chose him as my surgeon, but went with Cosgrove at the insistence of my cardiologist here in Colorado.

I will be having my two-year echo in another month and I am nervous about that, but what will be, will be. I hope to have the strength to deal with whatever comes. I am grateful for these last two years and hope that my cardiologist is right on in his prognosis.

Were both of your valves prolapsed? Did you have a ring placed around your mitral annulus?

Christina L

 

[distances]

You were correct. My cardio said valve repair did not fail. Surgeon said it's good for life; Cardio said he would guess in about 20 yrs might need a valve replacement. For now, I just have moderate level of leaking. (Yes, I did have a ring put in.) Thank you so much for your very calming reply. How was YOUR 2-yr. echo/check up???

 

[Christina L]

Glad to hear the

Glad to hear the

good news for you! Just as we all had a leak before our replacements and repairs years before surgery, I believe the same would be true of a mild/moderate leak after repair, especially since you have a ring around the mitral annulus.

Well, MY echo was another story. My mitral valve repair is looking great, but the cardiologist told me the echo showed mild dilatation of the right ventricle and right atrium and he wanted to "watch it closely." Well, I went off the deep end to say the least. I sent the echo tape to Cleveland and their radiologist who read the echo says there is NO enlargement and that the heart looks great.

However, it has been a real battle to believe the "good" news with the second opinions. Even the cardiologist who gave me the bad news with the echo now says he believes what the radiologist in Cleveland had to say. HOWEVER, that said, due to ME opening a can of worms by getting on the internet and reading about causes of right heart enlargement, I found out through my PCP after wearing an O2 monitor at night that I desaturate and now am wearing oxygen while sleeping.

I just saw my cardiologist on Friday and he wants me to see a pulmonologist "in case we are missing anything" as he does not quite understand why I am desaturating - his nurse told me again that it is not uncommon to desaturate into the 80th percentile at night, but everyone else (docs) seem to think otherwise.

It has been a real uphill battle getting my positive state of mind back. Personally, I would rather have been told my mitral valve was leaking again, if that makes any sense. Of course it does - who wants an enlarged heart from an unknown reason?!!

Anyway, I hope you will continue to be positive and as Karlynn suggested, to exercise. I have been trying to exercise more also - walking on my treadmill. It is important to feel that I can do something about things - instead of letting circumstances get the best of me.

I wish you ALL the best with your repair - I know you are going to be fine for a very long, long time. Just live each day to the fullest and don't worry (my advice to myself also).

Christina L

 

[jrocco]

I remember when I had the consultation about my repair and the Drs said this is a life time fix. Then 11 months later, for another check up he said he heard a leak. He set up another echo but it turned out fine. They just said to come back in May for another echo.

I also had the ring put in. One of my fears is that something will start leaking again even thought they said this is a lifetime fix. The Drs seemed pretty confidant all through the process that the repair is good and I guess on one hand I put my faith in what they say,,,but still in the back of my mind I hear a little voice saying it could leak again someday.

 

[MitralMan]

Christina, are you writing that your pulseox readings dropped to 80%?

Christina, are you writing that your pulseox readings dropped to 80%?

good news for you! Just as we all had a leak before our replacements and repairs years before surgery, I believe the same would be true of a mild/moderate leak after repair, especially since you have a ring around the mitral annulus.

Well, MY echo was another story. My mitral valve repair is looking great, but the cardiologist told me the echo showed mild dilatation of the right ventricle and right atrium and he wanted to "watch it closely." Well, I went off the deep end to say the least. I sent the echo tape to Cleveland and their radiologist who read the echo says there is NO enlargement and that the heart looks great.

However, it has been a real battle to believe the "good" news with the second opinions. Even the cardiologist who gave me the bad news with the echo now says he believes what the radiologist in Cleveland had to say. HOWEVER, that said, due to ME opening a can of worms by getting on the internet and reading about causes of right heart enlargement, I found out through my PCP after wearing an O2 monitor at night that I desaturate and now am wearing oxygen while sleeping.

I just saw my cardiologist on Friday and he wants me to see a pulmonologist "in case we are missing anything" as he does not quite understand why I am desaturating - his nurse told me again that it is not uncommon to desaturate into the 80th percentile at night, but everyone else (docs) seem to think otherwise.

It has been a real uphill battle getting my positive state of mind back. Personally, I would rather have been told my mitral valve was leaking again, if that makes any sense. Of course it does - who wants an enlarged heart from an unknown reason?!!

Anyway, I hope you will continue to be positive and as Karlynn suggested, to exercise. I have been trying to exercise more also - walking on my treadmill. It is important to feel that I can do something about things - instead of letting circumstances get the best of me.

I wish you ALL the best with your repair - I know you are going to be fine for a very long, long time. Just live each day to the fullest and don't worry (my advice to myself also).

Christina L

I am the metrics maniac, and have a $300 pulseoximeter by my bedside. I can recommend one if you want...

 

[Christina L]

Mitral Man -

Mitral Man -

I sent you a PM. Thanks for posting - I am interesting in hearing about the pulse oximeter machine and your story.

Christina L