mitral valve, repair or replacement?

sculptor

sculptor

Valued Senior Member
OK
I am a 77 year old male and am facing a likely mitral valve surgery.
I ain't looking forward to an open heart surgery with any good thoughts.
I'm thinking that a repair is a good(perhaps, the best) option.
However, repair is a lengthier and likely more difficult procedure.
Triage would seem to indicate that the lengthy procedure would most likely be wasted on an old man who might not outlive the repair.

Anyone here faced this ?
Your thoughts?
 
I'd go with minimally invasive repair if possible; much less risk. Replacement is generally more invasive and higher risk.

But go with your doctor's recommendation over anything you hear on this forum; we know nothing about your overall health or specific risk factors.
 
My impression (which in no way constitutes medical advice - see Bill's caveat) is that a repair which can get you 85% efficiency from the valve is better than buzzsawing open a sternum and popping in a 98% efficient pig valve. My take is based on knowing a couple people who had the open chest thing and the protracted recovery and limitations on activity from that. They both told me, basically, "the new techniques with tiny entry holes and endoscopic maneuvering - wish I coulda done that!" But, repeating the caveat: it really depends on your particular situation and a physician's insight.
 
sculptor said:
OK
I am a 77 year old male and am facing a likely mitral valve surgery.
I ain't looking forward to an open heart surgery with any good thoughts.
I'm thinking that a repair is a good(perhaps, the best) option.
However, repair is a lengthier and likely more difficult procedure.
Triage would seem to indicate that the lengthy procedure would most likely be wasted on an old man who might not outlive the repair.

Anyone here faced this ?
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I feel you man. I'm still waiting for my ECHO results (15 months of testing so far)
Which country are you in? Book an appointment with your GP/Cardiologist if you can to talk it all through. As per the comments above anything I say will be worthless compared to a medical professional who has your full history.
 
Pinball1970 said:
I feel you man. I'm still waiting for my ECHO results (15 months of testing so far)
Which country are you in? Book an appointment with your GP/Cardiologist if you can to talk it all through. As per the comments above anything I say will be worthless compared to a medical professional who has your full history.
Click to expand...
Пин, почему у вас так долго делают анализы? У нас если не в тот же день, то на следующий вам дадут все результаты. В грудном центре вас обследуют всего до кончиков ногтей в течении часа.
 
Olga said:
Пин, почему у вас так долго делают анализы? У нас если не в тот же день, то на следующий вам дадут все результаты. В грудном центре вас обследуют всего до кончиков ногтей в течении часа.
Click to expand...
The hospital was very good it just takes a while for the results to be looked at by the cardiologist then forwarded to the GP. I have had 15 months of different tests this was just the latest.
 
Pinball1970 said:
The hospital was very good it just takes a while for the results to be looked at by the cardiologist then forwarded to the GP. I have had 15 months of different tests this was just the latest.
Click to expand...
Они с ума сошли. За это время человек может умереть, тем более, если у него проблемы с сердцем.
 
Olga said:
Они с ума сошли. За это время человек может умереть, тем более, если у него проблемы с сердцем.
Click to expand...
Whatever it is, it is not serious enough that they are too worried. They just want to get to the bottom of a few things.
I am not too worried but I don't like waiting for results.
 
Pinball1970 said:
Whatever it is, it is not serious enough that they are too worried. They just want to get to the bottom of a few things.
I am not too worried but I don't like waiting for results.
Click to expand...
У вас странная медицина. Может, они просто тянут из вас деньги?
 
Pinball1970 said:
I feel you man. I'm still waiting for my ECHO results (15 months of testing so far)
Which country are you in? Book an appointment with your GP/Cardiologist if you can to talk it all through. As per the comments above anything I say will be worthless compared to a medical professional who has your full history.
Click to expand...
USA, Iowa, near Iowa City 3 hospitals
(5 days in icu and heart floor cost a tad more than $120,000.00) (aside from one mildly insane nurse, I was treated well.)
then back in following week to get a shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
Now, I'm on drugs and will be chatting with a surgeon in 2 weeks.
 
sculptor said:
USA, Iowa, near Iowa City 3 hospitals
(5 days in icu and heart floor cost a tad more than $120,000.00) (aside from one mildly insane nurse, I was treated well.)
then back in following week to get a shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
Now, I'm on drugs and will be chatting with a surgeon in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Shifting a couple of your sculptures should cover that bill.
 
sculptor said:
USA, Iowa, near Iowa City 3 hospitals
(5 days in icu and heart floor cost a tad more than $120,000.00) (aside from one mildly insane nurse, I was treated well.)
then back in following week to get a shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
Now, I'm on drugs and will be chatting with a surgeon in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Это ужасно! Что делать людям, у которых нет таких денег? У нас в России медицина бесплатная. Т.е. все расходы на лечение оплачивает государство из своих фондов.
 
Olga said:
Это ужасно! Что делать людям, у которых нет таких денег? У нас в России медицина бесплатная. Т.е. все расходы на лечение оплачивает государство из своих фондов.
Click to expand...
most bankruptcies in the USA are from medical bills.
It seems that the spirit of "first do no harm" has been missed.
 
sculptor said:
most bankruptcies in the USA are from medical bills.
It seems that the spirit of "first do no harm" has been missed.
Click to expand...
Сначала думаешь: на Западе зарплаты выше. Но потом понимаешь, что кроме зарплат ещё должна быть какая то социальная защищённость у людей, хотя бы такая, как: бесплатная медицина и бесплатное образование. У нас это бесплатно. А ещё детские сады примерно за 1% в день включая питание, бесплатное питание в школах для малоимущих, право на единственное жильё, которое запрещает оставлять человека без крыши над головой, даже если он в долгах, и цены, гораздо ниже европейских и американских.
 
Sorry to hear about your situation, Sculptor. I have a close relative of similar age to you that has a failing aortic valve, and faces a somewhat similar decision. No easy option, and everyone's circumstances are different. I trust everything will go as well as possible.
 
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