I recently had a Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR )

I'm supposed to have mine worked on, and I'm not sure I want it done out here in Oregon at OHSU. My wife doesn't trust them, having lost one of her business clients on the operating table getting heart surgery. My dad actually used to be friends with one of the Mayo brothers and always had great respect for the institution.

I tend to wait too long for many things and my regurgitation now is considered severe as is my heart enlargement to compensate. That has made the tricuspid regurgitation moderate even though it appears the valve isn't damaged. I was in a bad car accident 15 years or so ago and ended up unconscious after my chest plowed into the steering column. Unfortunately, no one thought to check my heart, even though I told them my pulse was all over the place when I was regaining consciousness, and then I saw stars for months after and I spent months being short of breath.

I'm just wondering if people think it is worth taking the cross-country trek to get this worked on back in Minnesota. It's where I grew up, but I haven't been there in many years. I know the Mayo Clinic's reputation is top-rate, and my wife, for some odd reason, would prefer to see me more alive than dead..

@twilde
I had minimally invasive Mitral replacement at OHVI Springfield Oregon. They seem to be first rate. Great reviews and ratings. I’m happy. Mayo is first rate but far away.

@billmason My wife is the one pushing for surgery elsewhere and I try to remind her that Minnesota isn't someplace you just hop into the car and head over for a checkup. I don't think she realizes the number of doctor visits involved. She suggested checking on the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, but then she likes hot weather. I'm a Minnesotan. I loved the winters and hated the summers.

The surgeon I am going to see at OHSU does the highest number of mitral surgeries in the state, so I'm just going to see how comfortable I feel using him. I have a ton of questions regardless of who does it. The main one being, how soon can I get back to building stuff? I had major surgery reconstructing my wrist after falling off of scaffolding and breaking my back and destroying my wrist. They said six weeks minimum. The bones were fully healed and I was cleared for full work in three. I heal very quickly.

@twilde
My minimally invasive mitral replacement required 4 visits at the hospital before surgery. Three days in recovery with 3 caregivers in 2 motel rooms.
A month later I went into A-fib ( not uncommon) & returned via ambulance for 4 days. My wife wasn’t up to the drive, cab to home was $180.
I Had two in person visits at two weeks and two more at 6 weeks.
I also build things and have invented some new products. The estimate of when I could return to “work” was pretty accurate.
10 new and changed prescriptions drove my dulled Mind crazy. Then weekly changes.
That’s my experience 80 miles from home.
Finally: it WAS worth it!

I'm supposed to have mine worked on, and I'm not sure I want it done out here in Oregon at OHSU. My wife doesn't trust them, having lost one of her business clients on the operating table getting heart surgery. My dad actually used to be friends with one of the Mayo brothers and always had great respect for the institution.

I tend to wait too long for many things and my regurgitation now is considered severe as is my heart enlargement to compensate. That has made the tricuspid regurgitation moderate even though it appears the valve isn't damaged. I was in a bad car accident 15 years or so ago and ended up unconscious after my chest plowed into the steering column. Unfortunately, no one thought to check my heart, even though I told them my pulse was all over the place when I was regaining consciousness, and then I saw stars for months after and I spent months being short of breath.

I'm just wondering if people think it is worth taking the cross-country trek to get this worked on back in Minnesota. It's where I grew up, but I haven't been there in many years. I know the Mayo Clinic's reputation is top-rate, and my wife, for some odd reason, would prefer to see me more alive than dead..

I previously had my mitral valve replaced via open heart surgery 5 years ago. I was recently hospitalized due to my valve having stenosis. My current cardiologist here in Wilmington, NC is saying that I need the mitral valve replaced again. He said his team would only do it via open heart surgery again, with no further explanation as to why. After much research, I believe the TMVR procedure is a far better option. I am trying to find a hospital/surgeon within a drivable distance to get a second opinion. Does anyone have any specific suggestions? Btw, I am an average sized 40 yr old woman with 2 younger kids. If open heart surgery must be done, fine, but I feel my current cardiologist does not have the knowledge regarding TMVR and therefore, will not see it as an option. Any help is much appreciated!

Hi @natmaz622, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have found a good place to share information as you walk through getting your heart back in tip top shape. I don’t like reading you are looking at another mitral valve replacement, but encouraged to hear you are doing your due diligence to find the best procedure for you. Kudos!

I have had wonderful care at Mayo Clinic MN and have made countless drives for care, 7 hours each way. They are conservative and collaborative in their approach, aggressive once they know what needs done. I highly recommend them. I looked at a map and I would think Rochester is too far of a drive, but their Jacksonville, FL location may be just the thing for you.

Mayo has a Valvular Heart Disease Clinic that can help you. It is typical for them to assess patients and perform minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery before choosing open. My husband found out he had kidney cancer a couple years ago and thought he needed open surgery to take his entire kidney. Of course, not cardiovascular but typical of Mayo….he had a consult at Mayo Clinic and ended up having 5% removed robotically. He would highly recommend them as well.

I encourage you to pursue a 2nd opinion/consultation at Mayo Clinic. You can call or use their online form here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

You may have read more about Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) at Mayo Clinic. I am including links in case you haven’t.

- Mayo Valvular Heart Disease Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/valvular-heart-disease-clinic/overview/ovc-20442104
- Mayo Clinic Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mitral-valve-repair-mitral-valve-replacement/about/pac-20384958
Mostly, @matmaz622…..you are dealing with a lot. If you are comfortable sharing, how are you feeling since finding out you need to have this surgery? Does Mayo Clinic sound like an option worth pursuing?