Leaky mitral valve and trouble swallowing?

[ajc1991]

Hi everyone, I have a severely leaking mitral valve and am due for a replacement at the end of October. Within the past month and a half I notice sometimes that when I lie down I have a couple instances where I have trouble swallowing. It doesn't happen every night though, just every now and then.

I was wondering if anybody else has or had this symptom? I found it listed as a symptom on only one site so far.

 

[Midpack]

Hi!

I have never seen this mentionned as a mitral valve insufficiency symptom. Anyway, if it really comes from the defective mitral valve, it will resolve after surgery!
You say that you will have your mitral valve replaced in about a month. Is it already decided to make a replacement? I ask you because, as you surely know, a good and durable repair is allways a better alternative for mitral valves (lot of studies support this). And nowadays, almost all leaking mitral valves are repairable (at least for myxomatous degeneration problems, that are a very usual cause of mitral regurgitation).


Good luck for your upcoming surgery!

 

[gerrychuck]

I had severe mitral regurgitation with a flail leaflet which happened suddenly and went undiagnosed for about a week before it was identified and emergency valve replacement performed. I had a very tight chest and severe pulmonary edema, but never experienced any difficulty swallowing. Just one data point. Good luck with your surgery!

 

[ajc1991]

Thank you both for the replies. I brought this symptom up to my physician and he said for me not be concerned.

Midpack, my surgeon brought up repair of the mitral valve but said it would just be a temporary solution, that I'd need surgery in the future anyways to replace the valve. He says I have severe leakage. And this is coming from a surgeon who is the chief of cardiac surgery at one of the top heart hospitals in the US. HOWEVER, he says my aorta is swollen and may need a mini repair, but he says he's not sure and that he's going to have to wait until the surgery actually takes place and he can see it with his own eyes. He may even just leave it alone and keep an eye on it. I trust in his decision, and the idea of another possible surgery is something I'd not like to entertain. Although it may happen since I have a BAV. He's hoping that with the slight enlargement of the aorta, that will go down just like the rest of my heart hopefully will if I get the valve replaced.

 

[Jkm7]

I had a severely leaking mitral valve replaced in 2009. My Mass General surgeon tried hard to repair it but he was not satisfied with it and ultimately honored by request (inn advance) and replaced it with bovine valve. I am very grateful that was the end result of my surgery. While it is true most mitral valve regurgitation can be repaired, it is not true for All.
I never had a swallowing problem in advance or after my surgery. Hopefully that will resolve when you have your surgery. All best wishes.