Cardiac Surgeon for Mitral Valve repair

[Batgirlx]

Hello, I am new here. My 89 year old Dad has a leaky Mitral Valve and enlarged aortic root. I am not sure if he will be able to have open heart surgery. Has anyone had the MitraClip or NeoChord repair? How was your experience and can you please recommend a surgeon? Thank you.

[10gingercats]

I was told open heart surgeon was inadvisable for a tricuspid valve clips op. And they considered a TAVi with entrance via the groin also inadvisable.With the later they were nervous of a big bleed or other such event which means the surgeons would have to resort to an unexpected and sudden open heart surgery while I was on the table. Another factor is to check if your father has a wide gap. If so they may be unable to do the operation as the clips wil not close the gap enough to stem the regurgitation.Surgeons who do mitral valve clips also do tricuspid valve so in essence it is the same. If you find a surgeon willing to carry out the surgery check how long the surgery will take(how long your father will be under the anaes thetic and the recovery time.Iam 83.My op. has been considered very recently.I would be interested in knowing if you find a surgeon willing to operate.

[Paperlover]

I had my mitral valve repaired by minimally invasive port access, so I had one incision just by my right breast and five small holes for camera etc. Also an incision in the groin for the bypass machine. My surgeon was Stephen Hunter at Northern General in Sheffield which is one of the specialist centres in the UK. There are several surgeons there who specialise in different things. My cardiologist sent him info and asked for an opinion on whether surgery was appropriate and he said yes! I was only in hospital for 3 days and recovery is much shorter - around 4 weeks on average, but perhaps a little longer for your dad given his age. Certainly no harm asking if it’s possible.

[Antique50]

Hello Batgirl - just found this question re your father having a MitraClip. I have just been advised to have this because of spinal fractures. Did your father have a MitraClip fitted in the end? Your reply would help a lot (hope your Dad has come through all this OK)Best wishes- Sandra