Apparently I know much less than I thought..

marky · May 31, 2006

About my surgery..
Today I got a card in the mail telling me that I have a

Model 4600 size 30mm
Annuloplasty band

I dont' even know what that is! I know he repaired my valve..but what is the ring?
How could I not know this was in there?

catwoman · May 31, 2006

Didn't you know that having OHS means you and your surgeon are engaged?

I have an Edwards LifeScience, I think, ring. They put one in with replacements. Perhaps repair patients get one too, to stabilize the opening???

barbwil · May 31, 2006

Cleveland Clinic visual explanation

Cleveland Clinic visual explanation

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/disease/valve/mvrepair.htm

Marky, this site will give you a good explanation about the annuloplasty that you received during your mitral valve repair. I have the Cosgrove Edwards. Essentially, it's the ring that they sew around the valve to support it.

God bless, Barb

MikeHeim · May 31, 2006

I'm pretty sure everyone gets one of these with a repair. As has been stated before, it's just to stabilize the valve and stopping it from degenerating in the future. They show up really well on an echo.

joanne6 · May 31, 2006

Lucky you got a card

Lucky you got a card

I was told that I would get an id card for my ring but I never did. I called back several months later and was told I really didn't need the card. So we both have rings but you have the card.
I don't think I could add much about the purpose of the ring.