Have a Surgery Date

[Paul_R]

Well I met with my cardiologist and surgeon last Monday. During my visit with my cardio to go over my MRI she mentioned that my mitral valve looked like it may need just a "simple stitch" to repair what looks like a cleft in the leaflet (this is common defect associated with Primum ASD which I am also having repaired). Naturally my mind is saying to me, maybe I won't need anything done with my mitral valve after all. No doubt about it I am desperately holding onto denial.

So, fresh with the "wonderful " news dancing in my head, I set off to meet with my surgeon Dr. Laks. Well to make a long story short, Dr. Laks procedes to tell me in no uncertain terms that he will need to repair the mitral valve . Wait a second! I just heard from my cardio that I don't need my valve repaired. What happened? Obvious denial is what happened.

Dr. Laks asked me what my preference was if he couldn't repair the valve. Did I want a mechanical or a biological valve? I was caught flat footed on this question but told him with the limited knowledge that I have about the choices that I would favor a biological valve but that I would take some time to consider my options before finalizing my decision. I will say this, he wasn't particular happy about me indicating a preference for a biological valve though.

From what I read on this forum and elsewhere, I don't think I have any good choices when it comes to a replacement valve. I am 40 years old and if I go with biological valve it may not last 10 years and if I go with a mechanical valve the coumidan will preclude me from ever playing ice hockey again. Nor do I care for the discipline that being on coumadin would require and I don't look forward having another OHS surgery 10 years done the road when I am 50. But, I am on the fence with one leg over on the biological valve side.

Sorry for the long winded post but would love to hear what others have to say about the mechanical vs biological pros and cons.

Surgery is scheduled Sept 13th.

 

[Georgia]

Sorry about the news.

I didn't have any input on the valve question; the surgeon was so sure the valve could be repaired we didn't discuss it. Big mistake.

I have a mechanical; it works, I'm living and I'm feeling really good. Would I have chosen it? I don't know. But I know that if I had an activity I really loved and defined me and the mechanical valve and coumadin would prevent me from continuing that activity, I'd go biological and cross my fingers.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[labguides]

From what I understand this is typical of most cardios and surgeons. Dr. Hamilton at UCLA told our daughter that it was time to see the surgeon, mainly because our daughter asked how her heart would handle a pregnancy. Dr. Hamilton gave no indication that surgery would be necessary soon. We were all shocked when Dr. Laks said surgery should be within 6 months and preferably within 3 months or our daughter would be at risk for atrial fib. Our daughter's only symptoms were occasionally palpitations. What she didn't realize until after surgery, was that her energy level was low.

Dr. Laks said he would not consider using a mechanical valve in our daughtger (age 26). He had an appropriate size pig valve standing by -- just in case it was needed -- and it was not. Dr. Laks as able to repair her heart.

 

[Ross]

Paul wouldn't it be nice to have your cake and eat it too? For your lifestyle, I'm going to say go biological. It may well last alot longer then 10 years though there are no guarantees. Even with a bio, there is a small chance that you may have to have Coumadin as part of your life anyhow. Your only other option is give up Hockey and go mechanical. If you knew for sure your weren't going to have the snot beat out of you in Hockey, you could still do that, but it's pretty rough and I don't think I'd risk it. My vote is Bio for you my friend.

 

[Karlynn]

As much as I caution younger valve people about going tissue (bio) valve and the risk of repeat surgeries, I think your love of hockey is the type of lifestyle activity that would call for the tissue valve.

Let's hope that a repair is possible. I would hope that since your cardio played down the repair issue and your surgeon said you needed a repair that it would mean that a replacement may not be needed.

Best wishes!

 

[Paul_R]

He..he..he Ross, I had to chuckle at your comment about getting the snot beat out of me. Honest, the last time I looked there where no pro scouts at our games wondering if they missed a diamond in the rough, its all in good fun. I have to admit though I have been cut a few times but I have been much more frequently bruised when I played.

To be honest I have stop playing the last two years but want to have the option to restart. Its the only form of exercise that I know that I will stick with. I have never been one of those people to do solo type exercise like biking, running ect. Only team sports for me.

I have my fingers crossed that the surgeon will be able to repair the valve but I have to make my decision as if I new he was going to replace it.

I know in the end I may have to finally face the music and make some of those major lifestyle changes.

My thanks to those that have responded to this post.