Mitral valve repair

Hi All I am new to this site as just came across it & looking for reassurance. I had open heart surgery in Dec 2016 as my mitral valve was leaking & repaired. In Mar 2018 I had a PM fitted &now been told following an echocardiogram that my mitral valve may need another surgery to stop it leaking again.  Can I ask if anybody has undergone open heart surgery twice as I am very concerned as I suspect it would be much more difficult to reopen me up the second time around. I would. Very much appreciate it if anybody can put my mind at rest. Many Thanks Kind Regards..Graham aged 61

 

4 Comments

Twice?

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-02 21:41:53

I've only been unzipped once but my father in law had three open-heart surgeries (the fool wouldn't quit smoking) and that was decades back, when they were in the stone-age of heart surgery.  Each time was easier for him but that was likely because they were just learning how to crank them out.  As you know, it's not a picnic but I doubt it'll be worse the second time around.  No reason for it to be.

Is there no way they can repair it through a catheter?  I'd sure ask.

Medtronic

by Theknotguy - 2019-03-03 16:10:10

Check with your EP about Medtronic.  They (Medtronic) have a procedure for heart valves and are doing a study on the mitral valve.  I don't know if the mitral valve procedure is in production yet, but they are doing something.  I know it's minimally invasive as they go through either the arm or the femoral artery and up into the heart.  

Maybe it won't be of any help to you since you've already had a valve done, but at least it's something to start a discussion.  Wish I could be of more help but the Medtronic reps can only give out minimal information.  

Hope they are able to take care of your problem quickly.  
 

Thankyou

by hopping hare - 2019-03-05 19:15:05

Many thanks for your kind replies, these are most helpful & will research Medtronic to see if this may apply to me. Kind regards. Graham

mitral valve repair

by islandgirl - 2019-03-10 18:35:45

I had 'minimally invasive' mitral valve repair in Nov 2018.  It was still open heart, on bypass, but they cut me below my right breast about 6", spread ribs on my right side, to access the heart.  Only 1 valve can be repaired/replaced with this minimally invasive procedure, and my aortic valve was in question.  The recovery was rough, 14 days in the hospital due to low blood pressure and arrhythmias. I'm sure it's better than cutting the sternum.  My ribs continue to be sore, particularly on the right side, and still seem displaced.  They told me it would be about a year before I'm completely healed.  I don't know anything about Medtronic being involved.  There is another repar or replacement procedure for patients that cannot endure open heart surgery that is done through the groin.  I didn't meet that criteria, as the FDA approval is very specific, so I don't know too much about that.  

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