MVR-My dad 53yrs old

[Dats2cute]

My father has been having excessive sweating, breathing problems etc.. his DR had him on Digitek and lasix for a while saying it was CHF. He got really sick last saturday and we took him to the ER. They found he was in A-FIB and they did a few tests. (he looked pale) They admitted him and after a cardiologist came in and listened to him they said he had a Valve leak and murmur. The did a Heart Catherization and found their were no clogged arteried, but he has Mitral Valve regurgitation. They said it's pretty severe. Right now he is on blood thinners and still in the hospital for a day or 2 more. They also have him on a low sodium diet. The DR said that he needs the surgery, but in 3-6 months, because his heart muscles need to get stronger. ?? We are VERY scared about all of this. We don't want to lose him.It's so hard to see my dad like this when he was always strong and going all over the place. How do you get through this? Has anyone had a succesful replacement/repair? Please someone contact me and tell me your story. How you made it through surgery etc.. I am seriously going nuts!!! My dad just turned 53.
Thank you so much!

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Dats

First of all, take a very deep breath. Now take a second. You have come to the right place because almost everyone here has had valve replacement or repairs or are the s/o of someone who has. My husband had an aortic valve replacement at 59. He too went into afib. Right now, at 65 we just finished a 2 mile walk, had breakfast and getting ready for the day. I believe the success rate is about 98%. Tyce was in surgery one month after going into the hospital with afib....that was his sign, as our cardio said.

Start doing your homework and finding a good surgeon or two. Does your dad like his cardio? That's very important and a good place to start. I'm not from your area, but many are and they may be able to suggest a good surgeon for you.

This is a great place with very knowledgeable and caring people. We'll get you through this. Believe me, 6 years ago I was a basket case, too.

Evelyn

 

[Adrienne]

Hi and welcome. I had a very successful, albeit complicated, MV repair. I was planning to have it anyway and then since my atrium was so dilated, I went into atrial fibrillation which caused the start of CHF. To make a very long story short, I finally went to the ER. They did a cardioversion (the paddles) and put me on a cocktail of drugs until I had my surgery. I could have had the surgery the following week, but the surgeon I had already contacted who is head of surgery and a total expert in repairs, was going to be out of town. So, I waited for him, and he did not only a complicated repair but a Maze procedure to make sure the A-Fib was cured, and also he closed up a patent foramen ovale (a type of hole between the two atria a bit like an atrial septal defect). In any case, I feel great! By the way, I was 60 when I had my surgery. I never had complications after the surgery. I am now in normal sinus rhythm.

 

[Ross]

Is he still on Digitek? If so, that drug alone may be causing him undo problems. There was a nationwide recall on it.

Nonetheless, he'll need surgery to correct the valve issue and yes, many have gone before him and most all of us are still here to talk with others about it. It's unnerving to be told that you need heart surgery, but odds are overwhelmingly in your favor of survival now a days.

 

[catwoman]

I was 1 month short of 53 when I had my mitral valve replacement. Two months before that I was told I needed surgery PDQ.

I was having CHF and felt pretty crappy pre-op, so it prolonged my recovery. Based on my father-in-law's experience with 2 MV replacements, I opted for a mechanical valve in case a repair didn't work, and it didn't.
Having a mechanical valve means I am on warfarin for life, but I have my own testing machine and can adjust my warfarin dosage myself.

If your dad's bad off enough that his doctor (I assume a cardiologist, not a surgeon) wants to wait several months before he has surgery, I'd get a 2nd opinion. And I would advise talking to several surgeons now. If you wait too long to have surgery, you can have permanent damage to the heart.

Tell your dad good luck! He'll feel soooooo much better when he's gone through surgery and recovered.

 

[skeptic49]

Just a note to say welcome and glad you found VR. The good people here can help!

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[Dats2cute]

Is he still on Digitek? If so, that drug alone may be causing him undo problems. There was a nationwide recall on it.

Nonetheless, he'll need surgery to correct the valve issue and yes, many have gone before him and most all of us are still here to talk with others about it. It's unnerving to be told that you need heart surgery, but odds are overwhelmingly in your favor of survival now a days.

Yes he is still on Digitek. I remember back in April when he got a letter in the mail from the pharmacy about it. He went to the DR and he never took him off of it. ?? I Just did research on the drug and now I am starting to wonder about why he is still on it. He vomits at least 2 times a week and has been getting heartburn feelings and he also feels like he is nauseous and sweats alot! I mentioned the vomiting to the DR and he said he did not know why he is vomiting. Now that I have this info I am going to bring it up to the DR. Thank you very much for the information! It feels good to have people to talk to and read about that have gone through this and are going through it now. I wish you all the best, and I will probably be posting more if nobody minds!

 

[Dats2cute]

I was 1 month short of 53 when I had my mitral valve replacement. Two months before that I was told I needed surgery PDQ.

I was having CHF and felt pretty crappy pre-op, so it prolonged my recovery. Based on my father-in-law's experience with 2 MV replacements, I opted for a mechanical valve in case a repair didn't work, and it didn't.
Having a mechanical valve means I am on warfarin for life, but I have my own testing machine and can adjust my warfarin dosage myself.

If your dad's bad off enough that his doctor (I assume a cardiologist, not a surgeon) wants to wait several months before he has surgery, I'd get a 2nd opinion. And I would advise talking to several surgeons now. If you wait too long to have surgery, you can have permanent damage to the heart.

Tell your dad good luck! He'll feel soooooo much better when he's gone through surgery and recovered.

I am glad you are doing well now! That is great!!!!

What is the difference in a repair and replacement as for as health goes? From the little I have allowed myself to research (I get paranoid when I read up on this, because I see something I don't like and it makes me sick to my stomach) I saw that a repair is better then a replacement? As for the heart etc..? Is this true? We don't know yet if he will be getting a replacement or a repair, but if it's as severe as the cardiologist says I am thinking replacement.

I asked th Cardiologist why they are waiting and he told me that the valve is severe and it has weakend his heart muscles. He said he would like to put him on more diruetics and continue with the blood thinner and in 3-6 months his heart will be stronger for the surgery??? His Heart is putting out 35 percent when it should be well over 50/55?? I am so new to this stuff so forgive me for not knowing the exact word. I believe it was ef rate??

Thank you so much for the reply!!

 

[Dats2cute]

Just a note to say welcome and glad you found VR. The good people here can help!

Best wishes,

Jim

Thank you so much for the warm welcome!

 

[Dats2cute]

Hi and welcome. I had a very successful, albeit complicated, MV repair. I was planning to have it anyway and then since my atrium was so dilated, I went into atrial fibrillation which caused the start of CHF. To make a very long story short, I finally went to the ER. They did a cardioversion (the paddles) and put me on a cocktail of drugs until I had my surgery. I could have had the surgery the following week, but the surgeon I had already contacted who is head of surgery and a total expert in repairs, was going to be out of town. So, I waited for him, and he did not only a complicated repair but a Maze procedure to make sure the A-Fib was cured, and also he closed up a patent foramen ovale (a type of hole between the two atria a bit like an atrial septal defect). In any case, I feel great! By the way, I was 60 when I had my surgery. I never had complications after the surgery. I am now in normal sinus rhythm.

What a awesome outcome! I love reading happy endings!!!! I am very nervous about them waiting 3-6 months for the surgery, but the cardiologist said his heart needs to get stronger.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Your dad needs to have a primary Cardiologist to follow / advise him. It sounds like he also needs to be interviewing Surgeons, preferably ones with Lots of Experience doing Mitral Valve Repairs (>100/yr) in the hope that he can have his native valve repaired rather than replaced. His Cardiologist should know of some good surgeons in your area or you can ask about Surgeons in your general region. U.S. News publishes an annual listing of Hospital Ratings by Specialty. www.HealthGrades.com is another source of ratings.

That said, he should also have a 'Back Up Plan' just in case the repair does not work. He will need to choose between a Tissue Valve (wears out in 10 to 20 years) or a Mechanical Valve (requires lifetime AntiCoagulation Therapy with Coumadin of generic Warfarin). See the "stickys" at the top of the Valve Selection Forum for a more detailed explanation of the tradeoffs.

You will be relieved to know that Valve Surgery has evolved to a highly refined art with a 1% risk of Mortality and 1% risk of Morbidity on a National Basis vs. almost certain death if the problem is left untreated. Top Surgeons at Major Heart Hospitals have even better numbers.

I hope you are beginning to breathe a little easier now.
Feel Free to ask any Questions as they come to mind.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[geckley]

Hey DAT
If you or you rfather have any weird feelings about the doctor my suggestion to you is get a second opinion on everything. I'm 38 and had my MV reaired in 2005. A repair is the best option less meds and it's always better to have your own parts still in place. My repair didn't hold, so I'm going to have a replacement. Also check with your DR. Mine said to exercise as much as allowable to build up my stamina. You need alot for recovery. The odds are in his favor. Since your on the east coast there are several very very good centers that can do the surgery. This place can help you calm some of the stress. Most of us have been there so you are not alone and we are there for you.

 

[CThrock]

Welcome to the vr.com site. Glad you are checking out things for your dad. This is a place you'll get alot of information. 3 to 6 months will go by fast you need to have the time to get everything set up for surgery. Good Luck and hope to hear more from you & your dad.

 

[tprice54]

Welcome

Welcome

As you are in New York State, there is a web site that shows heart surgeons as well as hospitals as far as the number of procedures and success rate.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/disea...ease/docs/2003-2005_adult_cardiac_surgery.pdf
As close as you are to the city (okay, much closer than Syracuse anyways), there are many fine choices there. Although mine was aortic valve repalcement, not mitral, I think your father has an excellent chance of a good outcome. PLease hang around and ask as many questions as you'd like!

 

[Freddie]

Hi there Dat, and welcome to the family.
I had my mitral valve replaced with a mechanical @ the age of 45 and I too was a severe case with regurgitation - only waited 3 days for surgery after being put on the "On call List". I'm doing just fine and on warfarin for the rest of my life - a big adjustment since I was never on any kind of medication prior to surgery and I'm sure your dad will do just fine.
Do your best to educate yourself and relax. We're here to help you.

Now take care yea hear! Don't go and make yourself sick - you'll be no good to your dad and family if you do that.
((((((((((hugs))))))))))

 

[Phyllis]

I just want to extend a welcome as well and suggest that more opinions from other cardios or even a surgeon is a good road to take right now. As you can see, the success rate is very high for both repair and replacement and I am sure that once you find the perfect surgeon and do your research you will feel much more confident about your Dad's good prognosis. Hang in there and just keep posting. We are here to help you and your family through this.

 

[Adrienne]

What is the difference in a repair and replacement as for as health goes? From the little I have allowed myself to research (I get paranoid when I read up on this, because I see something I don't like and it makes me sick to my stomach) I saw that a repair is better then a replacement? As for the heart etc..? Is this true? We don't know yet if he will be getting a replacement or a repair, but if it's as severe as the cardiologist says I am thinking replacement.

If a surgeon who does a lot of repairs says he/she can do a repair, that is the way to go. With a mechanical valve, he will have to take Coumadin for the rest of his life, not that that is terrible, but there is a lot of management involved. With a tissue valve (bovine or porcine), it will only last a certain amount of time and he will then need at least one other operation down the road.

 

[Debster]

Hey Dats! My mom was bad, bad, bad 3 years ago when she had her mitral valve replaced. She waited too long to have it done, and she has permanent heart damage..BUT...she is getting along pretty darn good considering how bad she was. When she had hers done with a pig valve, it was too damaged to repair, so he replaced it. My mom has chf issues, and is on lasix, digitek, coreg, etc. I believe these have helped her heart too-her EF was 20-25%, last check was 54 percent-wooho!. Lots of hope for your dad-TONS of success stories out there!!Your dad will be one too. Keep us posted! Deb

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR, Dats2cute. I had a mitral valve repair. I had no symptoms and no history of heart problems except my doctor noticed a new heart murmur at my annual check up. It turned out to be several regurg. I was age 51 when I had the OHS. While no picnic, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Now I'm two and a half years out and life is normal and good, and the surgery seems like ancient history. Best wishes and good luck to your Dad.

 

[Illinois Al]

Has anyone had a succesful replacement/repair? Please someone contact me and tell me your story. How you made it through surgery etc.. I am seriously going nuts!!! My dad just turned 53.
Thank you so much!

I'm not as knowledgeable as most of the other members of the forum, but I can jump in with my personal experience ... I just turned 60, and just last month had an aortic conduit (Aortic valve and aorta) replacement along with one bypass.

The surgery and recovery wasn't nearly as bad as the waiting ahead of time! Here it is about six weeks later and I am feeling so much better, have started back to work and resuming a normal life. I chose a mechanical valve and thus will be on Coumadin the rest of my life, but I consider that a small price to pay for being able to look forward to the rest of my life!

So hang in there, everybody is pullnig for you.