Robotic mitral valve replacments

Hi @in2dabluz, I had a mitral valve repair three years ago, which called for open heart surgery. When I called the medical centers that do the less invasive repairs, I was told that the mitral valve is difficult to get to, hence the need for the invasive technique. I don't know if techniques have advanced to the point where that is possible now. I wish you the best.

Hello Teri and Thank You for your info.
I have been emailing with the Mayo library today and a replacement procedure is falling into the invasive category... a mechanical valve requires coumadin for life, whereas a "MOOving" valve or Snort-Snort valve requires coumadin for 3 months or so, then maybe Pradaxa for duration, which I'm on now.

I. Have had bilateral chest wall radiation for breast cancer. . Has anyone had open heart surgery through the sternum with a history of chest wall radiation? I am concerned that there may be non healing issues due to my history of radiation. Also, I have very minimal lymph edema lt upper arm and wonder what is the risk of worsening lymph edema post op.

I had robotic mitral valve repair March 2024. I continue to have right chest discomfort that is present 24/7. I cannot sleep on my right side because of the pain. The surgeon nor my cardiologist can explain why this persists. Anyone else experiencing this?

@kayept
Robotic mitral valve repair is in trials right now. Are you in that category? Or did you have the operation outside of the trial? And what was the reason for your surgery? Stenosis or Regurgitation? How long was your hospital stay? I am in line for that surgery - through the trial. Would appreciate any insight you have. You're at almost the 2 year mark. How do you fare walking - and daily routine? Is the pain worse at night or is it simply a constant - not varying in pain intensity 24/7?

@valleylil
It is actually my husband that had the surgery. It is not "in trials" in Gainesville, Ga. It was for mod-severe mitral regurg. He was totally symptom free, very healthy, normal, on no meds of any type, doing whatever non restricted activity he wanted. We were told 3-4 days max stay because he was in such great shape. But that turned into a horrible 7 day stay!
His BP and HR were uncontrollable except with the wire placed in his heart they could manually control. It was day 3-4 before he could sit or stand as his BP and HR dropped so drastically he'd pass out. His catheter wasn't pulled until the afternoon before he d/c'ed because he couldn't get OOB alone! Once home, he was walking mild inclines in the yard 10-15 min 2-3 times daily with me by his side. He had dizziness after leaning forward for 1 year as well as decreased stamina. Fast forward, he still has some mild SOB, stamina has not returned to pre surgical status, the feeling of right chest discomfort that is present 24/7 and prevents him from right side skeeping hasn't resolved. And, the coup de ta, he still has mild- mod mitral regurg!!! The surgeon just passed us off saying he is an outlier. No #*#*. Needless to say, we wonder if things would've gotten as bad as they said if he'd not had the surgery. We had no support group and hoped to have gotten more support from the surgeon. He returned to his normal nonrestricted activities within 6 months but with decreased stamina.
I don't want to scare you away from the surgery. We wish we could've had others view on this prior to our decision. Not that it would've changed our decision, but just to know what we could face.
God speed to you 🙏