Questions to ask a surgeon?

[Harmony]

I have moderately severe regurg +3-4 of the Mitral Valve. I am seeing a surgeon next week and making a list of questions. My Cardio differs between telling me I dont need surgery to I should inquire about it. He feelsthat if I get AF than I will need surgery. So everytime I have a palp I worry.My left Ventricle is not enlarged. I had a TEE done last year which shows evidence of a PFO and that worries me. My bp is normal low 110/60. I did see a surgeon last year who wanted to operate but at the time I had just found out about how bad my valve had become. I really knew nothing about heart surgery or for that matter any other type of surgery. I am in my 60's and know the longer I wait my chances of a good OHS lessen. The most time I ever spent in a hospital was 6 hours for trigger thumb surgery. The only questions I can think of to ask are: How many MVP surgeries have you done, what percent are repairs to replacements, the mortality rate, if a repair can not be done what type of valve will I get. I know there are many more questions to ask and hope you can help me. I want to be more informed than I was last time I saw a surgeon.
Thank You for any help

 

[gadgetman]

My first suggestion is DON'T GET HUNG UP WITH STATISTICS. During my visit my Surgeon gave me a 20 to 25 per cent chance I would get through this. YIKES!!!!!!! He based this on the documents forwarded by my Cardio. He was still worried the Wednesday before my surgery on Friday, to the point of telling us he might not be able to operate on Friday unless things improved. By Thursday things suddenly took a turn for the better (THANK YOU LORD) and when I woke up I had a "repaired" valve instead of the mechnical I expected.

Also when you ask him about valves, you may want to know his recommendations. Surgeons tend to recommend valves they are comfortable with.

Others will be along with suggested questions I'm sure. Good luck on your upcoming visit.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[rossmom]

I have moderately severe regurg +3-4 of the Mitral Valve. I am seeing a surgeon next week and making a list of questions. My Cardio differs between telling me I dont need surgery to I should inquire about it. He feelsthat if I get AF than I will need surgery. So everytime I have a palp I worry.My left Ventricle is not enlarged. I had a TEE done last year which shows evidence of a PFO and that worries me. My bp is normal low 110/60. I did see a surgeon last year who wanted to operate but at the time I had just found out about how bad my valve had become. I really knew nothing about heart surgery or for that matter any other type of surgery. I am in my 60's and know the longer I wait my chances of a good OHS lessen. The most time I ever spent in a hospital was 6 hours for trigger thumb surgery. The only questions I can think of to ask are: How many MVP surgeries have you done, what percent are repairs to replacements, the mortality rate, if a repair can not be done what type of valve will I get. I know there are many more questions to ask and hope you can help me. I want to be more informed than I was last time I saw a surgeon.
Thank You for any help

I have Mvp, My question to you is what dose af and PFO. Im not good at the abriviations.
One experience that i had was after an echo, and a tee, the Doctor said i needed surgery. They set my date after i went to a dentist for an exam. My cardio didnt feel it nessecery to run the die in my heart, but the surgion wanted to have it done. So i packed my bags and when i got there they did the test, my surgery was to be the next day. But after the test he didnt find anything so they run it again, still didnt find anything to warrent surgery. That was 5 or 6 yrs ago. Now he tells me that i have a mild case of mvp. Im still trying to figure that one out. But i read that the two test i had at first are not as acurate as the die test. I dont know the correct name. So my first question would be are they going to do that test first. There are others here that are way more experienced than i am with this but i just wanted to tell my story, and hopefuly after they do the test you may find it to be not as bad. Good luck with your Doctor visit

 

[Harmony]

Rossmom I am not good at abbreviation either, but I am such a bad typist I use them and hope others understand. AF is atrial fibrillation and a PFO means Patent Foramen Ovale which is a tiny hole between the left and right heart chambers. It should have closed at birth but in about 15% of people it did not. I am one of them. What is a dye test does it have a name. I am real happy for you that you did not have surgery. The Mitral Valve has 2 leaflets and only one of my leaflets is prolapsed so my Cardio feels a repair is very likely. However even a repair is open heart surgery with all its risks. Thank you for your reply.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Most surgeons want to see a Cardiac Catheterization test (with a small amount of radioactive dye) run before surgery to help define the condition of your heart (many request a Right Heart Cath in addition to the standard Left Heart Cath).

The dye makes it possible to evaluate your coronary arteries for blockages. The surgeon wants to know the condition of your arteries so that if you have blockages, he can perform a bypass operation at the same time IF it is needed.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Harmony,

Before you meet with the surgeon, it would be wise to review the Valve Selection Forum to learn the different types of valves (several Tissue types and several Mechanical types).

Mechanical Valves are designed to last 'forever' but can cause blood clots to form and therefore require Anti-coagulation medication (Coumadin) for life to prevent clots.

Tissue Valves typically do NOT require anti-coagulation (unless you develop permanent Atrial Fibrilation) BUT typically only last from 10 to 20 years and then will require another surgery to replace them.

Not all surgeons are familiar with all the valve options so you will need to find one who is experienced with the type of valve you prefer. Most are familiar with the St. Jude Mechanical Valve which has been around the longest and has a long history without mechanical failure.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[rossmom]

Most surgeons want to see a Cardiac Catheterization test (with a small amount of radioactive dye) run before surgery to help define the condition of your heart (many request a Right Heart Cath in addition to the standard Left Heart Cath).

The dye makes it possible to evaluate your coronary arteries for blockages. The surgeon wants to know the condition of your arteries so that if you have blockages, he can perform a bypass operation at the same time IF it is needed.

'AL Capshaw'

Thanks Al, Icould not have explained it as well as you. You sound like a Doctor. You always have good advice.