surgical risks

[Leighanne]

Mobid questions.......
What are the true risks, numbers, for mortality with valve replacement surgery, the MAZE procedure etc. I know we are all different but I could not find the statistics and wonder what the post op risks are as well, such as stroke, infection.
Thanks

 

[Harpoon]

Best to ask your doctor.


Dr. Mee of Cleveland Clinic said there was a 97% chance for success in the procedure used to replace a tricuspid valve.

That was before we all knew how bad I really was....

Out of 100 patients, three might die.

He never minced words about it. He explained to me the risks involved. Because I had previous surgery on my heart, there was a chance that the inside of my sternum might have fused to the outer lining of the heart when it healed. They wouldn't know that until they cut through it and there was a real potential for severe bleeding. he explained the whole heart block issue and the possibility I might wake up with a permanent pacemaker of some kind, or need one shortly after the valve replacement.

He also said I should be home within two weeks of surgery, barring complications.

I was home in about nine. Whoops! Can't win 'em all...

Ask the doctor.

 

[MarkU]

My surgeon told me that there was a 2% mortality rate for my AVR, but that statistic reflected a much old average patient age than me (I was 47), so my actual risk was lower.
He also told me that the risk doubled for each repeat surgery. I've heard numbers similar to these over the years, but don't think I've ever seen any formal written studies.

MarkU

 

[Gemma]

Jim's surgeon told us there was a 2% chance of dying from the surgery, and a 1% risk of a stroke (Jim's 27 - I think the mortality rate rises to about 3-4% or so when you take into account the general population including patients of all ages). Other complications he was told might occur were needing a pacemaker, having kidney problems, and some other things which I'm afraid I can't remember. I think he may even have included the noise of the valve clicking! Mind you, he was very thorough and even more so when he discovered he was explaining a mechanical valve and its pros and cons to a precision engineer .

 

[tobagotwo]

It really is an individual number. Considering my age (51), general physical condition (slightly paunched but robust), and lack of any other complicating factors (coronary arteries were crystal-clear), my surgeon said there was a 99% chance I'd walk out fine.

However, different institutions also have different success rates. The quality of nursing care, especially in the beginning, is critical. The experience level of the surgeon is important. The complexity of the procedure(s), particularly where they affect pump time, is also important.

You can look at these things to limit your risk as much as possible. However, the risk that you need to focus on most is the risk if you DON'T do what's needed. If I didn't get the AVR, I would definitely have died sometime this year. THAT is a really significant mortality risk.

 

[catwoman]

I have wondered how these risk numbers are derived.
Not long ago I was at a large used-book store and perused through cardiology books. Seems there is an actual scale for mortality rates for various cardiology procedures. Don't remember who came up with these, but I saw various references to the scale.

Of course, age, previous surgeries and condition at the time of the current surgery will affect that rate.

 

[Bryan B]

I was given a 2.5% mortality rate for my Ross at Duke. But then again I was given a 1% mortality rate when I had my PICC line inserted when I had endocarditis (I was also shocked at the mortality rate for endocarditis ), so it's all relative. If you are in generally good health other than your heart problem I think the odds are greatly in your favor.

 

[Harpoon]

I think a lot of people die from endocarditis in part because they don't know they have it until it's kinda too late and in part because it's more common among people who already have some prior heart condition which is only made worse by the infection...

Plus, I don't think treatment is very effective unless started early.

I know some transplants are a result of endocarditis infections and you can pick it up from LITERALLY anything if the conditions are right, very opportunistic little bugger.


Heck, the bacteria that causes it can be found in ANYONE's mouth!!!

 

[Bryan B]

Yep, there's no telling how long I had it for sure. But it was me who insisted on the blood cultures, and once they came back positive for strep it was me who insisted on the echo. My PCP admitted this was only the 2nd case of endocarditis he had ever diagnosed (i.e. caught...lol). But hey, it got the ball rolling on my surgery, which I probably needed 3-5 years ago, so I guess everything happens for a reason.

 

[BillCobit]

Surgical Outcomes

Surgical Outcomes

Leighanne

Check out the info at the CCF site; compares CC results vs those reported overall by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for several different procedures.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/hear...utcomes/default.asp?firstCat=59&secondCat=440

 

[Lulabelle1]

Hi.
I don't know any info on statistics, but check out this site.....they may be able to inform you about the Maze procedure www.mazesurgery.org
Lulabelle1

 

[Mark Wagner]

I think the question that should be asked is, "What is the risk and quality of life I'll have without the surgery?"

Just a thought ... Mark