Aortic and mitral valve repairs

[Jed]

Hi all,
I have a leaking mitral and a calcified aortic valve. My doc says i need to get them replaced. She thinks i might be able to get the mitral fixed but not sure about the aortic. What are the chances at fixing the aortic valve and if i have one fixed and the other replaced how will that effect my decision on the type of valve to use? So many question, i am going nuts here, lol. Has anyone haed any good things about the surgeons at Washington Hospital Center or University of Medical Center or Johns Hopkins? Thats where i am leaning towards going. I have a TEE scheduled for next tuedsay and then work on picking a surgeon. What a trip of a situation. Some guys have all the luck, lol. Thanks for your advice and support. Jed

 

[Raverlaw]

Jed,

I don't qualify as an expert, but I don't think a calcified aortic valve can be repaired, and that means replacement. Your surgeon will try to fix the mitral valve, but if she can't, both of your valves will be replaced at the same time.

Your choice of valve is up to you and depends greatly on your age, your tolerance of surgery (future surgeries, I mean) and lifestyle. If you're young and don't have a problem with Coumadin, you may get a pair of artificial valves.

 

[epstns]

Hi, Jed. . .

I'm of a similar opinion as raverlaw -- they normally say they don't try to repair calcified (stenotic) aortic valves. They do have many varieties of replacement valves to choose from, though. Also, some of us have mild regurgitation (leaking) of mitral valves along with aortic stenosis, and I've been told that if the mitral leakage is mild, it is possibly caused by the higher than normal outflow velocity of the restricted aortic valve -- and may actually lessen when the aortic valve is replaced. Might be worth asking your cardiologist about that. (I am presuming that the doc you mention is a cardiologist -- if not, SEE ONE. I wouldn't trust my internist in matters of cardiology any more than I would trust her to build my computer. . . )

You will probably also get replies from a couple of others who have had both aortic and mitral replacements (Perry?).

Welcome to the site and to The Waiting Room.

 

[Mb]

Hello Jed:

My husband had two valves replaced with St. Jude mechanical valves. He chose mechanical for a number of reasons. First, he is in chronic a-fib, and needs to be on warfarin anyway. Second, he really didn't want to face another surgery. He was 55 at the time, with NO other health issues. (This one is enough, don't you think!!) The surgery was a bit over two years ago, done as Mass General by Dr. Gus Vlahakis. Because of the a-fib, now his atrials are enlarged, causing severe leakage of the tricuspid valve. So, don't wait to get the surgery....have it done as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the worse things can get!

This surgery is done often. The relative risks are low.

There are really no wrong decisions, just the right decision for you. If you really are against the warfarin, then talk to your Dr. about biological valves. If the mitral needs replacement, not repair, then you will have to go mechanical. So wait to see what the rest of the test results show, and then you can make an informed decision, together with your doctor.

Best wises. - Marybeth

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Jed !

You can get Hospital Ratings by Procedure at
www.HealthGrades.com

Any hospital that does LOTS (>1000/yr) of heart surgeries
should be good. Same applies to surgeons (>200 / yr).

I expect all heart surgeons are familiar with the
st. Jude Mechanical valve. if you choose a biological
or the Ross Procedure (where thy put YOUR pulmonary
valve in the Aortic position), then you need to find a
surgeon who has a LOT of experience with THAT option.

Valve selection is the BIG question most of us face.
Look over the discussions in the Valve Selection Forum
and then feel free to ask more questions as they come to mind.

'AL'

 

[ILoVeNY25]

Hi Jed, I'm sorry to hear about your valve problems, but I can say you've come to the right place. I had my aortic and mitral valve replaced and my tricuspid valve repaired almost 2 years ago. I don't know much about the calcification and what can or can't be done. My two replaced valves are St. Judes mechanicals and are well and clicking. My tricuspid repair unfortunately is slowly failing. I'm not trying to scare you but I want you to know there are a good few of us on this website that have both aortic and mitral valves replaced. I'm sure they'll be chiming in soon. Take care and keep us posted.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Nicole:

I was sorry to read that yoiur tricuspid repair is failing. Do you know when you will have surgery? Do they try to repair again, or would it be replacement? You are so young to be going through this!

Yikes.

I am interested because it is my tricuspid that is the "bad" one.

 

[ILoVeNY25]

Hi Peggy, Ummm...Will I be getting the tricuspid replaced?? Hopefully, Not any time soon. I've been told the whole "We'll wait it out" thing. I'll be having an echo sometime within the next 2 months and we'll see how it's going or not going. And I'll let you know. Good luck with your TVR. Keep us updated.