Mitral repair

[Gail in Ca]

Is there anyone here that has had mitral repair with anulplasty ring?
Mine began failing after 10 years, it is now leaking mod to severe. It was severe but my cardiologist upped the dose of lasix and losartan and echo shows mod to severe. I’ve now switched to another cardiologist and he agrees with the other one. Both do not want me to have a 4th surgery. One said I’m not a candidate for mitraclip and the other was concerned about that as well. I’m 68 now but I’m not sure if it’s the repeat surgery or my age as to why they don’t want me to go thru a 4th surgery.
Just wondering if anyone else has had a failed mitral repair and what their doc is saying?

 

[pellicle]

but I’m not sure if it’s the repeat surgery or my age as to why they don’t want me to go thru a 4th surgery.

just to address the above (not having any Mitral experience myself) I would say a 4th surgery will be enhanced risk and that your age will add to that. In my view, any surgeon who claims otherwise is probably one who takes on such cases and is unconcerned with his stats because of who his clients are (high risk).

Hope all's otherwise well Gail

Best Wishes

 

[MdaPA]

One said I’m not a candidate for mitraclip and the other was concerned about that as well. I’m 68 now but I’m not sure if it’s the repeat surgery or my age as to why they don’t want me to go thru a 4th surgery.

Are you a candidate for TMVR (Transcatheter mitral valve replacement)?

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement

 

[Geofd]

Hello I had mitral valve ring surgery almost a year ago this month not sure if the ring surgery had a name the surgeon did assure me that it was 95% chance that it was life long, he would do anything I asked but he said this was the best option keeping original parts was best

 

[cp172]

I would find the most skilled mitral valve surgeon you can even if you have to go to the Cleveland Clinic for an opinion. I hope thing work out.

 

[Geofd]

Hello I had mitral valve ring surgery almost a year ago this month not sure if the ring surgery had a name the surgeon did assure me that it was 95% chance that it was life long, he would do anything I asked but he said this was the best option keeping original parts was best

I had mine done at mass general hospital in Boston the surgeon that did mine was supposed to be the mitral valve guy

 

[Gail in Ca]

My cardiologists have me on hold and are being conservative as they tend to be.
The 2 I’ve seen now that I’ve moved to Los Angeles are connected to top hospitals, the latest doc I prefer uses Cedar Sinai. I guess I’m one of the 5% that has their repair fail. I see my doc in 4 months. He wants me to try to get back to yoga and weight training that I did before moving. Then I can really tell if my symptoms are worsening. I’m procrastinating on that but I need to exercise other than dog walking. I do notice I can get out of breath during a concert with difficult pieces and lots of notes!
Thanks for the replies

 

[tommyboy14]

I agree with the other posters. I would find a surgeon who does a lot of mitral valve reoperations. This would normally someone who is a bit more seasoned in surgery. When I was recently choosing surgeons here in London, I came across two who have done the 6th AVR on someone. They both said this isnt that much of a problem, but obviously better to avoid more surgeries than you have to. So I would look for a mitral valve surgeon with a very strong track record in reoperations. I definetly think you should look at the Cleveland Clinic. They apparently do lots of re-ops there.

Good luck and fingers crossed.

I would also really look into transcatheter mitral valve replacement, but you need to be conscious that transcatheter replacements that are not so common could be higher risk just because it is hard to find someone who has had lots of experience with cases which are a bit more complex than normal.

 

[Zoltania]

I do notice I can get out of breath during a concert with difficult pieces and lots of notes!

What instrument do you play? I play clarinet and tuba, and when I was in the hospital for my surgery I was told that I have "long lungs." The X-ray techs would make sure to take my chest X-rays in portrait mode instead of landscape mode. I guess the long tones I (sometimes) practice are good for me.

 

[Gail in Ca]

I play clarinet in the LA Symphonic Winds. I played in an orchestra for some years and got lazy because the music wasn’t that hard. Now, I’m playing pieces that I’ve never played and they are difficult but beautiful. Our conductor is a clarinetist with the LA Phil and opera orchestra. He picks music that’s challenging for all especially clarinets!
We have great tuba players and tune to the tuba which I hadn’t done before.
Listen on the LASW website if you like!
My latest echo the guy said I had good lungs and asked if I was a runner!

 

[Zoltania]

Clarinet parts in wind ensembles can be insanely challenging. I've played in wind ensembles in the past but currently play in a community orchestra. We just played a concert that included Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. The notes didn't require woodshedding but the music still contained plenty of challenges.

When I had my surgery I wasn't allowed to play any of my instruments for four months (or even pick up my tuba). I started back slowly with scales and long tones and was happily surprised at how easy it was to drop back into the rehearsal routine when I was ready.

 

[Gail in Ca]

I love playing Beethoven’s 5th and 3rd!
I’ve also done the Rachmaninov but I play 2nd so the 1st gets the solos.
When I went to my surgeon for after surgery visits I asked if I could play the clarinet. He looked at me and asked if I had played it before my surgery. He wasn’t going to fall for that joke!
Glad to hear from a fellow musician!