mitral valve repair in Utah

[chuckhansen]

I have been diagnosed with 3.5 mitral valve prolapse. I have not gone in for a TEE or angiogram yet. All of this has taken me by surprise although it certainly explains my shortness of breadth during strenuous exercise!

I'm trying to determine the skill of surgeons in Utah. I understand that Cleveland has the leading center for these operations but it is out of my healthcare network and until I determine there is not a good local option, I'm holding off on calling them.

Thus, how do I go about determining surgeon skill? I know I can ask how many mitral valve repairs the surgeon has done but what is a reasonable number? My cardiologists (I went for a second opinion when the surgery words came out) have been helpful in recommending 2 local surgeons (one from each).
What questions should I ask?

Thank you
Chuck Hansen

 

[Kim]

My surgeon told me he had done over 200 mitral valve repairs. He said he couldn't even tell me the last time he was unable to repair a mitral valve and had to do a replacement. He said he had even repaired other surgeons repairs. But......when he did my surpery he attempted 2 times to do a repair and ended up having to replace the valve!!!!
I think your gut feeling will help you decide when you speak to your surgeon. I just felt very confident in mine! I would still have him do any additional surgery that I might need....even though in the end he couldn't do the repair!

 

[Hank]

Heart Surgeons in Utah

Heart Surgeons in Utah

The University of Utah is home to some of the best heart surgeons in the world. That is where the first Artificial heart was developed and probably will be the place where that technology is finely made practical.

There aren't too many (if any) better sources of heart surgery talent than the UofU Medical center. Of course, you still have to do your homework because just being affiliated with an institution is not enough.

 

[Bill Hall]

Chuck - I went to Cleveland for my Mitral repair and Aortic replacement. I was lucky that my insurance covered it, since it was out state. I don't know how you evaluate a surgeon's skill, but you can get recommendations and try to find an actual someone who has been trough the experience with that surgeon. Also, make sure the surgeon does this procedure on a daily basis. I think you will be fine, if you get that much. Good luck.

 

[ccrawford]

Chuck - There are a couple of dynamics to your question. first, there is somewhat of a case for trying to stay near home so that whatever maintenance effort down the pike can be done without extensive travel time and cost. Second, there is a strong case for seeking out those surgeons who do a bunch of this specific type of surgery. You want one that has done so many he can sleep through it and still perform flawlessly. a good site to visit for ratings of hospitals and doctors would be http://www.healthgrades.com/ they include over 5000 hospitals and 620,000 doctors. Hope this helps, Chris

 

[fyrfytr]

Hi Chuck,
Just wanted to welcome you to this Great Site. You will find that there are Very Caring and Knowledgeable people here. There is another thread in this forum that might help with some of your questions. It is Mitra Valve Repair/Replacement. Hope this helps you some. Again Welcome.

Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Christina L]

Chuck,

I am right at this point in time in the process of being scheduled for surgery with Dr. Cosgrove in Cleveland for the first week in November.

I live in Colorado. I have a "nasty" mitral valve - both anterior and posterior leaflets floppy and deformed and severe regurgitation. My cardiologist here in Colorado immediately mentioned Cosgrove's name - he says that if I want the best chance at repair to go to Cleveland. Dr. Cosgrove and his "star pupils" as my cardiologist puts it, perform hundreds of these procedures in a year and that is what I want - people who can "perform these things in their sleep." Dr. Cosgrove has seen my TEE and says he is 95% sure he can still repair my valve, although it is a mess (so I've been told by several surgeons and cardiologists).

HOWEVER, that said, like the posts to you before mine, you NEVER know what the outcome of the surgery will be, until the surgeons get in there and see what they can do - and do comfortably. Like my cardiologist told me, I don't want a "repair at any cost" because I wouldn't want to go back in for a replacement within a year or two if the repair fails.

My cardiologist told me there are MANY fine surgeons in this country that could do as good a job as Cosgrove, but to be on the safe side, he wants me to have my surgery there and so do I. There is a lady on this board who just had her mitral valve repaired (it sounds like it was a lot like mine) in Minnesota very successfully and she is doing great!

By the way, Cosgrove is out-of-network for my insurance, but this is the rest of my life we are talking about and right now money is the least of my worries.

Just do all the research and get referrals and recommendations from many, many doctors and patients - find out the statistics of the surgeons - how many mitral valve repairs they do in a year and their success rate, etc. etc., and may God guide you in your choices, because He/She will - everything will fall into place - that is what I have found with my saga so far. I found this web site for one - FANTASTIC people here to help you!!

Chris

 

[medtronic of borg]

Utah

Utah

In 1974 I had three cardiac arrestes in yellowstone park , I was flown to salt lake city. The first two hospitals could not find what was wrong. They also couldn't not even get me stabilized. Once in salt lake I was in saurgery within an hour. Dr. JArvic was the one who handled my case and surgery. It was a very touch and go situation. At one point I had been pronounced dead. I would trust them !

 

[Nancy]

Hi Chuck-

Welcome to this wonderful site. Can't help you out with Utah. But you have some good answers already.

My husband had 2 of his valve surgeries and his 2 lung surgeries right here near where we live. It couldn't have been any better. We live in a small community but within a larger area near Albany, NY. We are blessed with some very gifted surgeons, and they are well-known locally, so it was easy to get good information.

Having these operations close to home was so much easier than having to travel, and when it came time to "hand off" to the cardiologist, it was seamless.

Best wishes in your decision making, it's difficult. Hope to see you here a lot.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Chuck,

The number of surgeries the surgeon has done is one way to find out if s/he is a good fit. One of the best things you can do is do you own research on the type of surgery you would like to have. These things would include: 1) trying to determine if you want to go for a repair or replacement 2) determine the type of valve you would want if a replacement becomes necessary (your surgeon will need this info from you) - tissue or mechanical valve 3) Determine if you want to pursue - and are a candidate for - minimally invasive surgery.

I think answering these questions for yourself will help guide you to the most appropriate surgeon for YOU. It is a totally individual choice. For example, if you wanted a mechanical valve and were comfortable with a full sternotomy, then (in my opinion) many surgeons could do a GREAT job. If you were going for a complex repair, then your choice of surgeons would look a little bit different. Or if you wanted a minimally invasive procedure done then you would have to find a surgeon who was comfortable operating with limited visibility.

In short, heart surgeons specialize like everyone else. There are surgeons who are general heart surgeons, ones who like emergency cases, ones who like to fix valves, etc, etc. Your job is to find the best fit for you!

Hope this helps - welcome to the site!

Melissa