Doctors, doctors and more doctors..and a Mitral Valve

[aja8888]

On a smaller, less interesting note, my knee surgery is three and a half weeks old and I was given my Diploma by my Doc and graduated to "call us if you have problems" (Oh, and don't do stupid things again).

Now DW is really the subject of this thread as she has been suffering from a variety of issues since her five vertebrea compression fractures and subsequent repair episodes. The biggest "new" issue has to do with her total lack of stamina and being on oxygen on a constant basis (COPD), which was not a situation at all about eight months ago. Note: the compression fractures are a result of COPD treatments using steroids (Prednisone) which accelerated severe osteoporosis.

The lack of stamina and constant 02 use had her COPD Doc stumped so he recommended a stress test followed by a cardiologist visit, which we did. That test and visit resulted in two internal looks at her heart functions. These tests determined that her Mitral valve is leaking "severely" and that is not good, especially for a person with severe osteoporosis and COPD. Reason being "not good" is that she may not be a good candidte for tradional open heart surgery to replace the valve.

We met today with a top cardiologist from my BIL's heart transplant team in Houston and he suggested two options:

1. A Mitral Valve Clip install to shut off the leaking portion of the valve (bandaid repair),

2. A total Mitral valve replacment that would be done entering the heart from the side of the body versus traditional cavity access.

We were told there is one surgeon that apparently specializes in the side entry procedure and we have an appointment set up to meet with him next month to discuss this procedure. This method of surgery still may not be an option for her based on a review of DW's pulmonary situation.

In any event, the last few months (a year?) have been centered around medical stuff and this really makes one think about retirement and getting in the fun stuff early on, like a lot of you do.

Anyone have experience on dealing with Mitral valve issues and what to expect? This is new ground for us and any words of wisdom or sucesses, etc would be appreciated. I know I can look this stuff up on the internet, but I don't believe half of what I see there.

 

[Walt34]

I have no experience with it but wish you and your DW the best possible outcome.

 

[braumeister]

Yeah, you both really have our sympathy and good wishes.

 

[Alan]

Sorry to hear about all your family health issues, particularly your wife's issues.

A friend here had a mitral valve replaced in October using the open chest method. He was home in a week but it took weeks more for the wound and chest muscles to heal. (Heart function was immediately back to normal)

Yesterday I was watching a documentary on the Heart Attack Centre in a London hospital and a lady had a heart valve replacement using the side entry through the chest method. As you say, very few surgeons can do this at present. The heart still had to be stopped with sodium and the blood sent through a heart lung machine, but the surgery was a complete success, home after 10 days, and the lady didn't have the trauma of a split breastbone in normal open heart surgery.

 

[REWahoo]

I have no experience with it but wish you and your DW the best possible outcome.

^ What Walt said.

 

[haha]

I have no experience with it but wish you and your DW the best possible outcome.

Me too. best of luck AJA, to you and the Missus.

Ha

 

[aja8888]

Sorry to hear about all your family health issues, particularly your wife's issues.

A friend here had a mitral valve replaced in October using the open chest method. He was home in a week but it took weeks more for the wound and chest muscles to heal. (Heart function was immediately back to normal)

Yesterday I was watching a documentary on the Heart Attack Centre in a London hospital and a lady had a heart valve replacement using the side entry through the chest method. As you say, very few surgeons can do this at present. The heart still had to be stopped with sodium and the blood sent through a heart lung machine, but the surgery was a complete success, home after 10 days, and the lady didn't have the trauma of a split breastbone in normal open heart surgery.

Alan, thanks for the details on that technique that was done. Were in abit of a shock on this but at least we know why she is so tired and weak.

 

[aja8888]

Thanks for all the well wishes. She's pretty tough and I'm sure can handle this when we have it done.

 

[splitwdw]

Glad to hear that your knee is recovering. I know nothing about that type of surgery. I'm sure you've looked online.
(Oh, and don't do stupid things again).
The best to you and your wife.

 

[Meadbh]

I may be a doctor, but I'm not qualified to express an opinion on this situation. So I will just wish you and DW well, and suggest that you speak with her healthcare team about support groups and information for families.

 

[MRG]

Both of my parents had valve leakage, DF was Mitral valve issues, DM not sure what valve. Neither had surgery and lived full lives.

Obviously your DW has complications my parents were fortunate not to have. It's pretty amazing the alternative surgery docs can do today.

This is multi-hand but a buddy of mine's BIL had the clip done(don't know why vs total valve replacement) and is enjoying life.

Best wishes to you both.

 

[aja8888]

Both of my parents had valve leakage, DF was Mitral valve issues, DM not sure what valve. Neither had surgery and lived full lives.

Obviously your DW has complications my parents were fortunate not to have. It's pretty amazing the alternative surgery docs can do today.

This is multi-hand but a buddy of mine's BIL had the clip done(don't know why vs total valve replacement) and is enjoying life.

Best wishes to you both.

Good to hear. Apparently Mitral valve leakage is common and if not severe, it's not too bad to deal with even if the clip job is not done. According to her recent Doc visit, the clip is an alternative if the leakage is not too bad. It's a call for the Doc.

 

[Fedup]

I too wish for best possible outcome.

 

[street]

Just wanted to say I wish both of you the best and I'm sure all will go well.

 

[Bestwifeever]

DH had a mitral valve repair two years ago after 25 years of mitral valve prolapse resulted in severe regurgitation and enlargement of his heart (that is how long it took him to quit smoking even the random cigarette here and there so my sympathy was tempered by his stupidity). He had the old fashioned crack the chest surgery to allow full access for repair--had a replacement or clip been required that procedure would have been done laparoscopically and the recovery faster and shorter. It is amazing what surgeons can do these days and it sounds like Mrs aja will be in good hands. All the best to both of you.

 

[aja8888]

Thanks for all the kind wishes. It's comforting to hear that others here have had successful experiences with the issue. This afternoon, we have been referred through DW's cardiologist to a Dr. Lamelas here in Houston who has done quite a number of the minimally invasive Mitral valve repair procedures. Hopefully, she will qualify for the procedure and can have it done very soon.

https://www.bcm.edu/news/surgery/minimally-invasive-heart-surgeon-joins-baylor

 

[W2R]

Wow, what a shock this must be. I am hoping for the best, also.

It's encouraging that you have located a nearby surgeon who can do this procedure. Thank goodness you retired in a city that has some of the best medical facilities and doctors in the country.

 

[redduck]

I have no experience with it but wish you and your DW the best possible outcome.

I can't express it any better than Walt did. I, too, wish you and your DW the best possible outcome.

 

[Dreamer]

I am also sorry to hear about your family's medical issues. I wish you both the best of luck in resolving them.

 

[rodi]

Add me to the list wishing you guys well in dealing with this.

I don't have any experience or knowledge to add to the discussion. The only advice I'd offer is to ask the specialists how bad the recovery will be... That way you can weigh the pros and cons of the options presented.

Congrats on graduating from the knee doctor... now don't do anything stupid.

 

[eytonxav]

Good that the problem is identified and your reviewing options carefully. Prayers for you and your DW for a positive outcome.

 

[kimcdougc]

OP, I sent you a private message about this. I have had an aortic valve replacement and gave you some info to go check out that helped me tremendously in the before and after surgery. Please go check it out. - Kim

 

[MBAustin]

Add me to the list wishing you guys well in dealing with this.

I don't have any experience or knowledge to add to the discussion. The only advice I'd offer is to ask the specialists how bad the recovery will be... That way you can weigh the pros and cons of the options presented.

Congrats on graduating from the knee doctor... now don't do anything stupid.

+1

 

[Tom57]

TAVR for Mitral Valve should be investigated by you and DW

TAVR is Transcather Aortic Valve Replacement. I had a TAVR on 7/25/16 and the new Aortic Valve (Edwards Sapien 3) is working great. My AV was 75% occluded and this did cause a 2+ Mitral Valve regurgitation that stopped about 6 months after the TAVR. AV is the output valve and the MV is the input valve for blood flow through the heart.

TAVR for the Mitral Valve has been approved and uses an Edwards Sapien 3 replacement valve. TAVR is very similar to an Angiogram, that is the new valve is threaded through the right groin artery to the heart. I had conscious sedation and the procedure took about 1 hour. This method was imperative because another open heart procedure for me carried a 50% chance of stroke or mortality (death in medical lingo).

TAVR for AV is fairly new, about 5 years ago. TAVR for the Mitral Valve is very, very new about 1 to 1 1/2 years so you will have to do a lot of research to find a doctor who does this procedure.

Good luck!

 

[aja8888]

TAVR is Transcather Aortic Valve Replacement. I had a TAVR on 7/25/16 and the new Aortic Valve (Edwards Sapien 3) is working great. My AV was 75% occluded and this did cause a 2+ Mitral Valve regurgitation that stopped about 6 months after the TAVR. AV is the output valve and the MV is the input valve for blood flow through the heart.

TAVR for the Mitral Valve has been approved and uses an Edwards Sapien 3 replacement valve. TAVR is very similar to an Angiogram, that is the new valve is threaded through the right groin artery to the heart. I had conscious sedation and the procedure took about 1 hour. This method was imperative because another open heart procedure for me carried a 50% chance of stroke or mortality (death in medical lingo).

TAVR for AV is fairly new, about 5 years ago. TAVR for the Mitral Valve is very, very new about 1 to 1 1/2 years so you will have to do a lot of research to find a doctor who does this procedure.

Good luck!

Thanks Tom. We will certainly research this and discuss it with the appropriate cardiologist. We are in the early stages of dealing with DW's issues.