Mitral valve repair

Welcome @yoanne und willkommen.
Good questions. It is important to know the "next steps". I'm tagging fellow members @cynaburst @mikkeleo @lepadelford @barbararickard @vdouglas who either have had a mitral valve repair or may need one.

There are several discussions happening about ablation that may also interest you. Please see:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/jimana-79-year-old-male-caucasian-excellent-health-and-regular-exercise-with-history/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosed-with-svt-and-cant-seem-to-find-any/
How are you doing now post surgery?

Best of luck! Keep us posted!!!

As I already mentioned, I am living in germany.As far as I know, germany is the only european country,which offers post surgery patients a stay+treatment (for cardiac patients normally 3 weeks) in rehabilitation centres/clinics. I took part as well and I must say that my physical improvement is amazing. When I left the cologne heart center, my condition was very poor. Because of severe shortness of breath (fluid around the right lung) I could hardly walk a few metres.Now 3 weeks later two staircases in my home are not a problem.I even take my bicycle to do some shoppings.Of course I have not regained my pre surgery energy, that will take another few months.Not having a (partial) sternotomy was definitedly an advantage for a quick recovery.I'm feeling fine!!!
I would like to point out,that it is very important to have a mitral valve repair at an early stage, i.e. as long as the left chamber/ventrikel is still good and the left atrium is only slightly dilated.Now I have a "normal" life expectancy (according to my age,I'm 70 years old).
Because of the fixing of a ring around the mitral opening I need a bloodthinner,for the next 3 months.because of atrial fibrillation I took that medicine since 2010. so far there were no attacks (or I didn't notice it), so I really hope that they allow me to stop.unfortunatedly it depends on the cardiac dr., who treats you.They don't agree with each other and the guidelines are not clear.
Therefore I joined the mayoclinic discussion to get more information about the after-treatment in the usa.

Hello, Group Members,

This is my first posting. I have scheduled mitral valve surgery to, hopefully, repair my valve.

I am 73, 124 pounds, active, and having none of the symptoms commonly associated with mitral valve reflux (no fainting, shortness of breath, light lightheartedness, or muscular weakness). I do have non-systemic Lupus and the body aches associated with the disease. I have seen 2 cardiologists and 2 heart surgeons each of whom determined that I have severe regurgitation ( #4 ) and said I should definitely have the corrective surgery.

Well, I am still fussing over whether to have or not to have the surgery. Should my selected surgeon be unable to repair my valve, then he will implant a pig's valvle, a prospect that concerns me. The valve may only last for 15 years, which would mean another surgery when I reach 88. My mother lived until she was 90. I would at least like to reach her age. I would also like to not feel any effects from having a pig's valve in me.

Is there any member or doctor in this group that can comment on the physical effects of having a pig's valve replace the hearts human valve. For example, would I be able to feel a pig's valve working inside of my heart or would I feel no more than if my own valve had been repaired. Also, does anyone know of any surgery using a pig's valve that in some way did not work out well?

My gratitude for any member's comment,
Petersen73 (Chris)

Welcome @petersen73, I'm glad you found this discussion. There are several discussions happening on Connect about Mitral Valve repair. Some people have opted for surgery, while others are monitoring their condition. You may also want to read:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosised-with-mitral-valve-and-tricuspid-insufficiency-i-have/
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/jimana-79-year-old-male-caucasian-excellent-health-and-regular-exercise-with-history/
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-was-just-diagnosed-with-svt-and-cant-seem-to-find-any/

Besides the members in this discussion, I'd also like to connect you with @grandmajan @frande @mikelauriemh12, as well as @ricke62 @pfsinger both of whom have had a porcine valve replacement.

@petersen73
I've had my pig valve for over 10 years and I've experienced no ill effects. I cannot feel it beat, it still feels like my own heart. In fact, my valve is still working as well as it did the day they put it in! It's "perfect" as my cardiologist, Dr. Warnes, says. I had a checkup just over a year ago and she said I didn't need to come back for 2 years. Theres no calcification, no regurgitation or anything. Sometimes these valves can last way longer than their life expectancy. I'm so thankful I went to Mayo and had the surgery. I wouldnt be here if I hadn't.

Hello pfsimger,
Thank you so much for replying to my concerns. I am still hesitant about the surgery and even more hesitant about how to handle the short-term, 10-week aftereffects. The good news is that my surgeon may be able to repair my own valve as long as it is not too calcified. You have lifted my spirits. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hello colleenyoung,
I'm glad I found the discussion group too, Thank you for all the leads, I will definitely follow up on them. You have been very helpful.

did you read my post of may 12? then you know the most important details.I was suffering from a mitral valve prolapse,which is hereditary.slowly I developed mitral regurgitation. no symptoms! 2010 i had my first A-Fib attack, the cardiac echo showed at that time stage II, i.e. the regurgitation became worse, still no other symptoms.I started with an anticoagulant (Xarelto) to prevent a stroke.in the beginning of this year I asked for a second opinion and I went to a hospital specialized in cardiac arrhythmia. they found severe mitral regurgitation (stage III). I still had no symptoms, like you. they recommended a cardiac echocardiog. every three months and a spiro-ergometry to test my physical condition. I myself decided to have an operation as soon as possible and I made an appointment in the heart center of the cologne universitiy. that was quite unusual, normally a cardiologist send the patient to a hospital. i had the possibility to discuss my problem with one of the best medical experts ,in particular, if he could do the operation minimal-invasive. at the end he would do an ablation. of course he could not promise, but I woke up (intensive care) and I had only a 2-3 inch at my right side..he repaired the mitral valve/reconstruction) und placed a ring around the opening of the valve. I had two unpleasent weeks in the hospital.,but I think that is normal.I had a very quick recovery after coming home and 3 weeks rehabilitation. 2 months after the operation my husband and I flew to greece.I continued my daily walking there, sometimes 8-10 km!!! I'm feeling absolutely fine. I I would recommended everybody,: don't wait too long, don't postpone the operation.your time of recovery depends on your physical condition, i.e. your heart.before the operation.
as you wrote that the cardac surgeon will do a reconstruction, you are suffering from a primary/ degenerative mitral regurgitation (like I had). otherwise he would place a mitraclip around the mitralvalve opening

Hello Yoanne,

Thank you so much for your detailed mitral history and the detailed anatomy of your mitral surgery. So far as I'm aware, I have experienced no A-Fib attacks. I am, however, planning to meet one more time with my Rheumatologist (for Lupus), with my cardiologist, and with my cardio Surgeon to ensure there are no predictable conflicts among the three disciplines. During discussion with my doctors, I shall inquire deeply into my physical state, including questions about the existence of or likelihood of my suffering A-Fib attacks. I shall also ask if I might be facing an ablation procedure. I have seen the procedure mentioned in several of the Mayo postings I have read.

As you encouraged, I am not putting off surgery. I have scheduled my surgery for October 12, 2016.

Thank you again for taking so much trouble to help me through this procedure.

Chris