6 weeks ago, I had my Pacemaker fitted and I`m feeling physically fine and I`ve just celebrated my 87th birthday. However, I have still got a leaky valve, operation may take place as long as I`m progressing well ! What does an operation for a leaky valve entail ?
Leaky Valve: 6 weeks ago, I had my... - British Heart Fou...
Leaky Valve
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Hello and welcome! You need to ask some questions: which valve, can it be treated by keyhole surgery, are there options? When is your next appointment?
My leaking valve is the main one Aortic valve. What happens to the blood that is leaking ??
It means a percentage of the blood is leaking back into the heart not that it is going elsewhere in the body. A small percentage will cause no symptoms apart from a heart murmur. As it increases symptoms will develop. At some stage unless other issues preclude this surgery will take place to repair/replace the valve.
Thanks for your quick response ! I was told approx. a month ago by my cardiologist that open heart surgery was needed but because of my age,87 yrs, he doubted as to any Surgeon would willing to operate.
I think you need to discuss with your GP/cardiologist if it is possible to have a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This is far less invasive that OHS and has been carried out successfully on a 98 y.o man in the UK and a 102 y.o. woman in the US. You are a youngster by comparison! Obviously there may be reasons why it might be unsuitable for you but ask the question.
Repair or replacement of valve. I’ve had a leaky valve often.
My valve leaked for years (36+ years) before I had to have surgery. Like the others have said it depends on whether it is a repair or replace, which valve it is, whether is can be done keyhole or whether it will entail open heart surgery.
Wendy