Multiple Valve/ Maze procedure operation questions

[Patrick Haley]

This is my first posting so please be patient with me, and excuse the spelling. I am a 61 year old man with normal to average health issues (excluding my heart). Approxmately five years ago I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibillration and Aortic/Mitral valve stenosis. I had a pulimonary vein ablation performed to correct my irregular heart rate at Barnes Jewish hospital, St Louis in Sept 2003. This procedure was an immediate failure with several side complications, respiratory failure and constant rapid heart rate. Since then I have had further valve deterioration. (Aortic is currently at a 1.1 cfm and the Mitral is 1.5) and I have been iin full time AFIB since Sept 2003. Arteries are in good shape, Angiogram completed last November.

My question and concerns after reading several postings are, it looks like very few people have had both valves replaced at the same time plus an attempt made to correct an irregular heart rate.
I would love to hear from anyone who has been thru a mulitple procedure ,complications,table time,healing issues related to a one procedure operation, and how rare is this valve/maze combo operation?


I met with Dr Patrick McCarthy, Northwestern Medical, Chicago, last January and he believes I should have the operation before I really get sick. Excluding shortness of breathe and dizziness at times,I am leading a normal active life,. I own my business and have been able to put in a full day on most days.

I will appreciate any and all advise that could help me in the decision making process concerning when and even where I should have this complicated procedure done.

Thank you,

Patrick Haley
[email protected]

 

[Nancy]

Hi and welcome to the site. Well, you're really going to have the deluxe overhaul!

You've got a great surgeon there. One of the best.

Can't help you out with the multiple surgeries at the same time, but I know that others have had it done and they'll be along to help.

Here is a site for the Maze procedure. It is run by Jack Drum, who used to come around here every so often, but he still runs his Maze procedure website.

http://www.mddietofutah.com/maze/index.html

My husband has had three valve surgeries, has an aortic and mitral mechanical and had a repair on the mitral. But he had his at different times.

We did have a friend of the family who had a mitral replacement and Maze at the same time. The Maze took care of her afib. It did take a few months to work. I guess there has to be scar tissue form to stop the afib.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Patrick! You certainly have a colorful heart history. I agree with Dr. McCarthy (who we Chicagoans are thrilled to have in The Windy City now), surgery before you begin to feel ill is the best thing. I know it's a scary thing, but if surgery is inevitable I would recommend thinking about getting it done at your earliest convenience for you and your business. Sometimes valves can begin to go bad rather quickly. We have several members who were told "Oh,you're years away from surgery." and then wind up having it 6 months later. Hopefully this would not happen to you, but if it did, you would be in a sticky situation with your business, not to mention your personal life. Being able to plan your surgery and recovery time is much preferable to having it thrust upon you when you aren't ready for it.

 

[Ladyarcher]

Multiple Valve/Maze

Multiple Valve/Maze

I had both these valves replaced by mechanicals in May of 2002. Was shooting archery 2 weeks after surgery. My biggest problem is constantly going into afib. Have had 7 cardioversions but the last 2 didn't work so back in the hospital I go. They put me on Soltrol (spelling) and it has been 3 weeks now and I haven't felt this good in years. I have had a pacemaker for 4 years but it only works on the low end of pulse rates not the racing out of control. I have had times when my pulse was 160 and I was a raving idiot as each day went by. How in heavens name do you manage to be in afib for a couple of years? Really I found the surgery to be a snap compared to others I have had. Just watch the seat belt when you go home. Just had my cardio visit and don't have to go back for a year (unless I run into trouble again.) Coumadin and the blood tests are the biggest pain. They have trouble regulating me so sometimes I have 3 blood tests a week. Veins are shot. Good luck to you.

 

[RCB]

Welcome Patrick

Welcome Patrick

Patrick,
I last heard from you at Jack's website. People were concerned that they hadn't heard from you.

The advice most people here would give you is to get it done as soon as
possible. You have a great surgeon( he would be my pick if I were to need
something done tomorrow)- I would follow his advice.

As for how rare this operation is, Dr. McCarthy should be able to tell you that, but I would bet he has done several before. It is becoming more common everyday.

You will be fine!
longtimevalver on Jack's website.

 

[901]

This is my first posting so please be patient with me, and excuse the spelling. I am a 61 year old man with normal to average health issues (excluding my heart). Approxmately five years ago I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibillration and Aortic/Mitral valve stenosis. I had a pulimonary vein ablation performed to correct my irregular heart rate at Barnes Jewish hospital, St Louis in Sept 2003. This procedure was an immediate failure with several side complications, respiratory failure and constant rapid heart rate. Since then I have had further valve deterioration. (Aortic is currently at a 1.1 cfm and the Mitral is 1.5) and I have been iin full time AFIB since Sept 2003. Arteries are in good shape, Angiogram completed last November.

My question and concerns after reading several postings are, it looks like very few people have had both valves replaced at the same time plus an attempt made to correct an irregular heart rate.
I would love to hear from anyone who has been thru a mulitple procedure ,complications,table time,healing issues related to a one procedure operation, and how rare is this valve/maze combo operation?


I met with Dr Patrick McCarthy, Northwestern Medical, Chicago, last January and he believes I should have the operation before I really get sick. Excluding shortness of breathe and dizziness at times,I am leading a normal active life,. I own my business and have been able to put in a full day on most days.

I will appreciate any and all advise that could help me in the decision making process concerning when and even where I should have this complicated procedure done.

Thank you,

Patrick Haley
[email protected]

I just had the surgery you are describing in June. The timing of my surgery was driven by a significant change in ascending aorta diameter from the previous year. My MV had been leaking for a long time and was called "severe". During the TEE the surgeon called my AV leakage "moderate". I was in constant A-fib, but had no noticable symptoms. I asked the surgeon how many of these "procedures" he does in a year and he told me about a dozen.
So, I had the Bentall procedure (aortic graft), AVR & MVR with St. Judes, and the RF MAZE Procedure. I've heard that I had bleeding issues and was "on the table" for nearly 12 hours. I don't remember anything past the anesthetist introducing himself up till waking up with the tube in my throat. OUCH!!! My throat was on fire and I couldn't tell the nurses to give me some ice. I asked the surgeon later if he found any suprises during the operation and the only thing he brought up was that two leaflets in my AV were fused (Is this the definition of BAV?).
My recovery has gone very well, and I'm sure some would say outstanding. I returned to work after two weeks and three days. I had SOB that I thought was part of the recovery, NOT. I started into rehab at around 4 weeks out and found out that I was in complete heart block Prior to the surgery, the surgeon had told me that heart block is not uncommon in dual valve surgeries because the nerve centers for the heart firing (pulse) are located between the MV and AV and the valves are in close proximity to each other.
I had a pacer installed last week and have noticed that I no longer have SOB (I haven't tried any running, yet). I'm planning to re-start rehab next week.

When we were planning my surgery, the surgeon didn't seem to be in a rush to get it taken care of. He recommended that I get it done w/i six months because of the size of the anneurysm. At the time, I had most of the Summer already planned out, so I picked a date late in the Summer. After leaving the surgeons office on the way home, my wife was freakin' out over the potential mortality of waiting with a big aneurysm. So, we moved the surgery up to ASAP.
So, you don't have the aneurysm thing to worry about but I'd still suggest that sooner is better.

 

[Jasko]

Hello I am from St.Louis as well and my dad had a hear surger on June 14, 2005. He had an aortic valve replacement(mechanical valve) as well as the Maze Procedure done at Forest Park Hospital. Two doctors operated on my dad Victor Ruiz, and Dr. Barnes I heard he is one of the best when it comes to Maze Procedures. So far my dad has been doing great his heart beat is normal . If you have any more questions just ask.


Jasko