9 year followup

[Christian]

Few of you likely remember me, but I was a regular user here in the early 2000's. My wife (then 32 years old) had a mitral valve repair at the Cleveland Clinic in 2005. Dr. Cosgrove was her surgeon.

Yesterday was her 9 year followup evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic. Her regurgitation which was a 4+++ ("very severe") before the surgery and "trivial" a few days after the surgery is now stabilized at a 2+ ("mild"). When we had our second child in 2007, it strained the repair a bit, and she jumped from trivial to 2+ in a matter of months. But no change since.

We're told she has a "good" repair but not a perfect one, and she will likely need another repair someday. But apparently not any time soon. They tell us now that re-repairs generally occur over replacement 75% of the time. By the time she has to go back under the knife, I'd bet that's over 90%.

Anyway, I thought I was long overdue for an update. I hope you're all doing well.

 

[pellicle]

Christian

thanks for your coming back and adding details. Its excellent stuff for the newer members. I'm glad also to read that you look back on the anxiety as just a memory. I am sure that sort of information is good to read (although I doubt will be grasped) by those in the thick of it.

Best Wishes

 

[DebbyA]

Good news, and thanks for posting an update.

When I first started using the forum, I tried to identify members who had similar age and condition and follow their histories, so this will be useful to someone facing valve repair.

 

[Duffey]

Christian, thanks for the post. I remember your last update, and I knew that things were going well, but additional reassurance after nine years is always good to read. Best wishes to your family going forward.
Mary

 

[Roberta]

Thank you for sharing this update and so glad with the good news!

 

[Christian]

I dropped by to update this post. Almost 13 years post-surgery now, and my wife is still stable at 2+ regurgitation. No change since 2007. We can't complain about that. I hope everyone is well.

 

[Jmprosser.lab]

That’s awesome Christian! Glad to hear it!!