S
soccermom44
Has anyone had an aortic valve replacment done by the "Heartport" method. If so, could you share your experience and the Dr's name and hospital? Thanks....URGENT!!
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fyrfytr
Well-known member
Hey Soccermom, You can call the Rocky Mountain Surgical Specialists in Ft. Collins and ask them if they do. 970-224-4434, I hope this helps you out.
Dave
______________________________________
SURGERY: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical Aortic valve with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies
Dave
______________________________________
SURGERY: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical Aortic valve with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies
fyrfytr
Well-known member
Hey Soccermom, go to the cleveland clinic page at www.clevelandclinic.org and go to the search page and type in heartport. You will find 4 different minimally invasive surgical techniques. It will describe them. I hope this helps also.
Dave
__________________________________
SURGERY: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Aortic valve with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies
Dave
__________________________________
SURGERY: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Aortic valve with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies
Ross
Well-known member
This is why I said to seek an evaluation at The Cleveland Clinic. If they can't figure out what to do, no one can.
ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
Radiation Effects
Radiation Effects
Hello Soccermom,
Your mother is not the only one with Heart Damage that may be attributed to the effects of Radiation Treatments for Cancer.
I am aware of 3 patients treated for Hodgkins Disease with 'Radical Radiation Therapy' (roughly 3000+ Rads) 20 to 30 years ago who have had damage to either their valves or Coronary Arteries or BOTH.
Has your mother had a Heart Catheterization and Angiogram to look for blockages in her Coronary Arteries? This SHOULD be done before having Open Heart Surgery so all issues can be addresssed at the same time, avoiding the need for a second surgery.
'AL Capshaw' (CABG and AVR + Radical Radiation)
BTW, I tried to send you a PM (private message) and e-mail with confidential information but apparently you opted NOT to receive private messages from this site.
Radiation Effects
Hello Soccermom,
Your mother is not the only one with Heart Damage that may be attributed to the effects of Radiation Treatments for Cancer.
I am aware of 3 patients treated for Hodgkins Disease with 'Radical Radiation Therapy' (roughly 3000+ Rads) 20 to 30 years ago who have had damage to either their valves or Coronary Arteries or BOTH.
Has your mother had a Heart Catheterization and Angiogram to look for blockages in her Coronary Arteries? This SHOULD be done before having Open Heart Surgery so all issues can be addresssed at the same time, avoiding the need for a second surgery.
'AL Capshaw' (CABG and AVR + Radical Radiation)
BTW, I tried to send you a PM (private message) and e-mail with confidential information but apparently you opted NOT to receive private messages from this site.
DuchessBear
Well-known member
A search of this site for "minimally invasive" should bring up a number of messages on the subject.
Here's a few web sites with good information: www.inova.org/heart/sect6-14.html, www.heartport.com, www.ismics.org (International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery), www.sts.org (Society of Thoracic Surgeons), www.nhlbi.nih.gov (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).
I am fortunate enough to live close to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. They are one of the top heart hospitals in the country and have a lot of experience with HeartPort surgery. I had my mitral valve replaced (St.Jude's bileaflet, Oct 2001) through a 3 inch horizontal incision just under my right breast. The surgeon went between the ribs -- no cutting of any bone. A small incision in my left groin is where they hooked up the heart-lung machine. I did not experience anywhere near the pain or discomfort described by others on this forum. Mostly it was muscle-type pain in the area of the chest incision -- the groin incision never bothered me at all, and I had no problems with my lungs. I took an occasional Percocet for about the first 10 days and an occasional Tylenol for about a week after that. I had very few restrictions on activity. I could do pretty much whatever I could tolerate. I was driving at about 2 1/2 weeks post-op and in rehab at 4 weeks.
My surgeon was Dr. Robert Albus, 703-280-5858. He even operates on babies, so he is very good at maneuvering in very small spaces.
Here's a few web sites with good information: www.inova.org/heart/sect6-14.html, www.heartport.com, www.ismics.org (International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery), www.sts.org (Society of Thoracic Surgeons), www.nhlbi.nih.gov (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).
I am fortunate enough to live close to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. They are one of the top heart hospitals in the country and have a lot of experience with HeartPort surgery. I had my mitral valve replaced (St.Jude's bileaflet, Oct 2001) through a 3 inch horizontal incision just under my right breast. The surgeon went between the ribs -- no cutting of any bone. A small incision in my left groin is where they hooked up the heart-lung machine. I did not experience anywhere near the pain or discomfort described by others on this forum. Mostly it was muscle-type pain in the area of the chest incision -- the groin incision never bothered me at all, and I had no problems with my lungs. I took an occasional Percocet for about the first 10 days and an occasional Tylenol for about a week after that. I had very few restrictions on activity. I could do pretty much whatever I could tolerate. I was driving at about 2 1/2 weeks post-op and in rehab at 4 weeks.
My surgeon was Dr. Robert Albus, 703-280-5858. He even operates on babies, so he is very good at maneuvering in very small spaces.
Nancy
Well-known member
My husband's Heartport surgery was also a much faster recovery, with less pain. He had two other conventional sternotomies, so he was able to compare the two.
One day after going home from that surgery, he was able to go to the market with me for a brief time.
I did some searching around last night on the Internet, but not for long. Apparently, some surgeons are able to do AVR with this method, so do check it out.
One day after going home from that surgery, he was able to go to the market with me for a brief time.
I did some searching around last night on the Internet, but not for long. Apparently, some surgeons are able to do AVR with this method, so do check it out.
Ross
Well-known member
My stomach gets all tense thinking of the position of the aortic valve and trying to get at it with less then a full blown chest opening. I'm sure someone out there can do it, but it's not going to be your average local hospital, hence the suggestion of a major heart center.
S
soccermom44
radiation damage
radiation damage
You're the first person that's said anything about knowing other radiation skin damaged people....technically, that's the problem here with my mom. The surgeon is possitive about the surgery, but says her skin may be to damaged and thin to close and heal. So we were trying to see about the heartport theories to go in thru the side where her skin isn't so damaged. Her surgeon said that the heartport is too risky. But I'm not giving up on it yet. He just hasn't performed any. Also, the top plastic surgeon at the MAYO clinic hasn't even dealt with radiation scarred skin, and what to do!!
I DO want to hear about the cases you know about. I will try to change the option on "private messages".
I am still in process also about contacting people at the Cleveland clinic.
What about this "Cosgrove" method?? It's from DR. Cosgrove at the Cleveland Clinic.
radiation damage
You're the first person that's said anything about knowing other radiation skin damaged people....technically, that's the problem here with my mom. The surgeon is possitive about the surgery, but says her skin may be to damaged and thin to close and heal. So we were trying to see about the heartport theories to go in thru the side where her skin isn't so damaged. Her surgeon said that the heartport is too risky. But I'm not giving up on it yet. He just hasn't performed any. Also, the top plastic surgeon at the MAYO clinic hasn't even dealt with radiation scarred skin, and what to do!!
I DO want to hear about the cases you know about. I will try to change the option on "private messages".
I am still in process also about contacting people at the Cleveland clinic.
What about this "Cosgrove" method?? It's from DR. Cosgrove at the Cleveland Clinic.
Nancy
Well-known member
Cleveland will do a second opinion online for a fee. I'm sure it proprietary, but it might shed some light. It's not cheap.
Here's a link: You have to look for "second opinion"and then register.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/hear...estions/default.asp?firstCat=88&secondCat=385
Here's a link: You have to look for "second opinion"and then register.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/hear...estions/default.asp?firstCat=88&secondCat=385
J
John Cochran
Soccermom,
Don't be discouraged by the comment by the surgeon who said the Heartport method is "too risky." I thoroughly explored Heartport as an option for myself, as well as just about every other available option. My universal experience with surgeons and cardiologists was that, if they had no personal experience or training in any procedure, it was automatically too risky or "...not a good idea." I recall one cardiologist tried to talk me out of the SynerGraft valve I have by calling it "Star Trek technology best left to the gullible."
The only reason I did not have a Heartport procedure was because I'd selected a homograft valve with full root replacement. These are big, and not suitable for a Heartport procedure.
There are some special considerations you should know about with the Heatport procedure. The way the aorta is "clamped off" during surgery is via an inflatable balloon inserted through the groin and threaded up to the heart. Should this balloon fail or leak, the Heartport surgery can intantaneously change to a full sternotomy procedure; this is also true if an unexpected event occurs, or if the surgery turns out to be more complicated than expected.
It sounds like a consultation with a plastic surgeon is in order. In collaboration with the heart surgeon, the two can likely come up with some options. I had a minimally invasive "mini-sternotomy" with an incision not much longer than the Heartport method--this may be another option.
Sounds to me like Mayo, Cleveland, or the other top heart centers are your best choices, as others have already mentioned.
Wishing you all the best,
--John
Don't be discouraged by the comment by the surgeon who said the Heartport method is "too risky." I thoroughly explored Heartport as an option for myself, as well as just about every other available option. My universal experience with surgeons and cardiologists was that, if they had no personal experience or training in any procedure, it was automatically too risky or "...not a good idea." I recall one cardiologist tried to talk me out of the SynerGraft valve I have by calling it "Star Trek technology best left to the gullible."
The only reason I did not have a Heartport procedure was because I'd selected a homograft valve with full root replacement. These are big, and not suitable for a Heartport procedure.
There are some special considerations you should know about with the Heatport procedure. The way the aorta is "clamped off" during surgery is via an inflatable balloon inserted through the groin and threaded up to the heart. Should this balloon fail or leak, the Heartport surgery can intantaneously change to a full sternotomy procedure; this is also true if an unexpected event occurs, or if the surgery turns out to be more complicated than expected.
It sounds like a consultation with a plastic surgeon is in order. In collaboration with the heart surgeon, the two can likely come up with some options. I had a minimally invasive "mini-sternotomy" with an incision not much longer than the Heartport method--this may be another option.
Sounds to me like Mayo, Cleveland, or the other top heart centers are your best choices, as others have already mentioned.
Wishing you all the best,
--John
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soccermom44
the mini-sternotomy
the mini-sternotomy
Thanks for replying back. So why did they do a mini-sternotomy on you instead of the full blown? Where is the incision on that? How was your recovery? What criteria do surgeons look for to do that? I guess I want to get her incision as small as possible, if she might have trouble healing. Right now her heart and plastic surgeons are "thinking up" ways to do this. My mom has confidence in her heart surgeon but he didn't even tell her about this heartport option at all. I think they should tell you everything, then say what they feel would work best. Anyway, thanks John.
THanks Nancy...I did look at that "second referral" thing at the Cleveland Website. I gave info to my mom.
the mini-sternotomy
Thanks for replying back. So why did they do a mini-sternotomy on you instead of the full blown? Where is the incision on that? How was your recovery? What criteria do surgeons look for to do that? I guess I want to get her incision as small as possible, if she might have trouble healing. Right now her heart and plastic surgeons are "thinking up" ways to do this. My mom has confidence in her heart surgeon but he didn't even tell her about this heartport option at all. I think they should tell you everything, then say what they feel would work best. Anyway, thanks John.
THanks Nancy...I did look at that "second referral" thing at the Cleveland Website. I gave info to my mom.
J
John Cochran
The mini-sternotomy I had was at my request, and my surgeon was experienced in this procedure. The incision starts at the bottom of my sternum, and ends about 4.5 inches up. Actually, the sternum was cut even higher up than that, but there is a procedure (also used at Mayo) where they "puff up" the tissue above the sternum, making the skin incision smaller than the sternal cut. The advantages to this procedure are less discomfort after surgery, faster recovery, and the fact that some ribcage strength remains immediately after surgery because the upper part of the sternum was left intact. The disadvantages are that the surgeon has slightly less room to maneuver, and the surgeon requires additional training in this technique.
After one year, I have no soreness/stiffness at all in my chest, and I am extremely happy I had the mini-sternotomy.
Best,
John
After one year, I have no soreness/stiffness at all in my chest, and I am extremely happy I had the mini-sternotomy.
Best,
John
S
soccermom44
Lots of information
Lots of information
Hi Bonnie...my mom's age is 64. I don't know if age matters as far as the incision, I'm sure it does regarding the type of valve though. Thanks for inquiring.
A BIG thank you to all who have responded to all my questions. You guys are great. This is the first time I have ever been on a message board, and it's great to know that people are there to share when you need someone. My mom will have the best I'm sure, and I will let you all know what she decides, and how it comes out. I feel like you are all part of it now!! God Bless You!!
Lots of information
Hi Bonnie...my mom's age is 64. I don't know if age matters as far as the incision, I'm sure it does regarding the type of valve though. Thanks for inquiring.
A BIG thank you to all who have responded to all my questions. You guys are great. This is the first time I have ever been on a message board, and it's great to know that people are there to share when you need someone. My mom will have the best I'm sure, and I will let you all know what she decides, and how it comes out. I feel like you are all part of it now!! God Bless You!!
