Mitral Valve Replacement in Austin, Texas!!! Your comments/experience please!

[nobog]

THANK YOU 'nobog' -- Dr. Hyde of the Heart Hospital of Austin called me this morning after I questioned the Tendyne mitral valve because you mentioned it to me and he said if I choose that avenue it would be good for me should I qualify. I am going up to Austin on Thursday to meet with him (again)..

It is in trial since July 2018 with 1,010 patients in the USA and Canada and Dr. Hyde and the Heart Hospital of Austin are part of the trial. HOORAY for you (nobog) for telling me about it!! I have loved this site since 1999, but that was just after my aortic valve was replaced - so I went in as an emergency and came out with the St. Jude Silzone valve which has served me well for 20 years now. BTW, the Tendyne valve is approved in Europe with the CE Mark..!

Thank you everyone who has shown concern and taken the time to help this old woman come to a conclusion as what to do! I will continue to update when/if I qualify for the trial..

ShezaGirlie, You might know this already, but the Silzone in your valve was just a coating on the cuff to help prevent endocarditis. It was pulled from the market as there were some concerns that it "didn't work". I have seen the statistics and personally don't buy that, but in any event, after some 20 years, the cuff is certainly integrated with you native tissue so no worries. The SJM valve made in 1984 is the exact same valve as sold today (except for the Regent valve which is an aortic only valve).

Your SJM valve is officially called the St. Jude Medical Mechanical Heart Valve.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

ShezaGirlie, You might know this already, but the Silzone in your valve was just a coating on the cuff to help prevent endocarditis. It was pulled from the market as there were some concerns that it "didn't work". I have seen the statistics and personally don't buy that, but in any event, after some 20 years, the cuff is certainly integrated with you native tissue so no worries. The SJM valve made in 1984 is the exact same valve as sold today (except for the Regent valve which is an aortic only valve).

Your SJM valve is officially called the St. Jude Medical Mechanical Heart Valve.

Thanks again for your good info nobog. Yes, I knew that about the SJM Silzone valve. I even bought their stock back in 2000 to read the prospectus, etc..

 

[Freebird]

Yes, of course, happy to help. John Oswalt from CTVS did my surgery about a dozen years ago, and I could not have been happier with him and his team. I was looking geographically all over at the time, and he was the first one that was willing to deal with my case (because I was young adult) and listen.

I was at CTVS today and have my surgery set for late July with Dr. Dewan. Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with Dr. Oswalt's name as well. Since scheduling I have a strange sense of calm. I go to the dentist for a cleaning tomorrow, which is not at the top of my list in this covid era but the surgeon thought it would be a good idea.

 

[spartangator]

I was at CTVS today and have my surgery set for late July with Dr. Dewan. Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with Dr. Oswalt's name as well. Since scheduling I have a strange sense of calm. I go to the dentist for a cleaning tomorrow, which is not at the top of my list in this covid era but the surgeon thought it would be a good idea.

@Freebird , sounds like you're in great spot with your ducks in a row. I also had that calm once the plans were in place. Happy to support your journey however it's useful.

 

[dornole]

Wow awesome, I hope this is an option for you. My original cardiologist here in Minneapolis, Wes Pedersen, actually was the principal investigator on the team that did the first Tendyne mitral replacement in the US, back in 2015 (yep he's a badass with over 100 publications, now retired to full time medical device consulting and the nicest, most down to earth guy):

First U.S. Implant of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Device Under FDA Early Feasibility Study Conducted by Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

It's really amazing what some of this technology can do for us. I'm grateful for all the docs and engineers who make it happen. Good luck!!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Wow awesome, I hope this is an option for you. My original cardiologist here in Minneapolis, Wes Pedersen, actually was the principal investigator on the team that did the first Tendyne mitral replacement in the US, back in 2015 (yep he's a badass with over 100 publications, now retired to full time medical device consulting and the nicest, most down to earth guy):

First U.S. Implant of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Device Under FDA Early Feasibility Study Conducted by Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

It's really amazing what some of this technology can do for us. I'm grateful for all the docs and engineers who make it happen. Good luck!!

Thanks loads dornole..! Great article and yes, isn’t the technology amazing - not to mention the dedicated engineers, etc. working to help all of us out there. They will never know how grateful I am. Wow, I didn’t realize the first implantation of the Tendyne valve was in 2015..! Fantastic!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

I'm in Austin and my cardiologist recommended Dewan, Kerendi or Felger. I met with both Dewan and Kerendi and have decided on Dewan after hearing many recommendations. I haven't had the surgery yet but will most likely have it in the coming months. Happy to compare notes. Who was recommended to you?

All the best to you Freebird as you checkin to have your turn. I might be just a couple of weeks after you in the Heart Hospital of Austin!

 

[Freebird]

All the best to you Freebird as you checkin to have your turn. I might be just a couple of weeks after you in the Heart Hospital of Austin!

Why thank you ShezaGirlie! Do you have a date set yet? I'm ready!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Yes, after many tests - I have a date...August 13, 2020 at the Heart Hospital of Austin. I’m sure ready to get this over with and move on to traveling again!

 

[Trixie]

Good Luck! My niece works as a nurse there- after having a poor outcome with a mitral valve repair in San Antonio 2012 I choose to have a replacement in one of the top hospitals in the county -Mayo MN. So happy with the out come! I feel great.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Hi Trixie, I’ve probably met your niece especially if she’s in the Valve Clinic since I’ve been there 4 times since March. I’m really impressed with the nurses and the surgeons! Where else could a patient get the advice from 4 top cardiothoracic surgeons all with their own specialty in the same place... Yes, Mayo is fantastic along with the Cleveland Clinic, but I just didn’t have the energy to get there.

I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced in San Antonio in 1999 and it’s still ticking away. I’m actually a native San Antonian and lived on King William long before it was cool.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

The time is near... The Tendyne Mitral Valve Trial is on my menu for tomorrow morning at the Heart Hospital of Austin and I’m certainly ready. Did all the pre-ops this morning and all is well. A big Texas size thanks to nobog for posting The info about the trial. And a big Austin size thanks to Spartangator and Freebird for your help...and yep, the Hotel Ella is really cool! On to manana..

 

[Freebird]

I’ve been thinking of you! i didn’t ever think you’d end up going first, but hey that’s how life rolls! Now I get to learn from you. Be sure to remember all the good tips on making the stay at Heart Hospital a great one. I wish you well! See you on the other side!

 

[sylviayasgur]

Janie, hope all goes smoothly today and look forward to hearing about it soon.

 

[dornole]

Wishing you a smooth procedure and excellent outcome!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Wishing you a smooth procedure and excellent outcome!

Doc just came by and said the first one was a nice success! I’m next in just a little while.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Abbott makes the mitral clip (MitraClip) as well as the Tendyne transcatheter mitral valve:
https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2020-0...k-for-Transcatheter-Mitral-Valve-Implantation.

I wouldn't touch the SJM valve.

I’m going in for the Tendyne valve in just a minute. Thanks so much for your wonderful information! I’ll post post op soon as I can. The first Tendyne Mitral Valve this morning was a success!

 

[Duffey]

Janie, I’m late to the party, but best wishes for a super fast recovery. Looking forward to your account of undergoing replacement this time around. Mary

 

[spartangator]

Yes, we're here and sending the most positive thoughts that all continues wonderfully smoothly.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Well, here we are today, Wednesday post surgery - just 6 days and arrived home just 5 days post surgery with the new Tendyne mitral Valve. We are the first two central Texas folks to get the new trial valve. The incision was made on my left side so the valve could be inserted by transcatheter. The surgery was about 2.5 hrs and there wasn’t a use for the heart/lung machine.

CTVS cardiothoracic surgeons, Drs. Faraz Kerendi and Steve Dewan, were a part of the SUMMIT trial’s 1st TMVR (transcatheter mitral valve repair) implant in Central Texas. TMVR treats severe mitral valve regurgitation by replacing the valve without traditional open-heart surgery. CTVS is dedicated to participating in the scientific advancement of surgical medicine and this is another example of how we offer our patients access to the most advanced technologies and treatments. Congratulations Drs. Kerendi and Dewan! Austin, TX
Heart Hospital of Austin