Hi all, I've posted a few times when I was diagnosed with a severe Mitral valve prolapse in July. Since then I've been waiting to see a surgeon. My case had been referred to Leicester Glenfield hospital. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he told me that they have concerns about my Tricuspid valve as well. He said they will not know the full extent until they open me up. Surgery is at least 3 months away. I had a list of questions to ask him but on hearing this news I went into shock, I was trying to process what he told me. He said if that valve has also gone then its very complex surgery. I'd just come to terms with the news from July about the mitral valve, and was hoping to hear the words "We can fix you..." but he painted a far darker picture. Has anyone had both valves fail and if yes how was the surgery and life quality afterwards? Thanks in advance for any help and experiences you can share. Thanks Paul
Mitral and Tricuspid valve failures. - British Heart Fou...
Mitral and Tricuspid valve failures.
I have had severe regurgitation with my tricuspid valve for 10 years. No surgery.I would ask the surgeon for further clarification on the tricuspid valve issue. Mine does not work at all and i am 85.But other valves still reasonable as I understand it.
Hi there, thanks for replying. No surgery, wow. Good to hear you are all good and healthy. I will ask him for more information. Thanks again for replying. All the best. Paul
Hi there, sorry to hear your news. I can understand the shock and sometimes surgeons are quite matter of fact when they give you a diagnosis. I was told in 2017 that my mitral valve was infected and needed replacing. It was a shock because I never smoked, don't drink and always played sports. I was 51. I made a list of questions and went through them with my surgeon who explained the surgery and what to expect afterwards. At the time I opted for a mechanical valve and have no regrets over the decision. It took me 18 months to fully recover and I am on warfarin for life. I self test at home and have had no problems. There was no option for TAVI. The chap opposite me had 2 valves replaced and was back on his bike within 6 months. It took me a bit longer but I walk and run regularly. My quality of life is better than before because I know how lucky I am. These heart surgeons are amazing people.
Hi there, Thanks for replying. Yep, these surgeons are straight to the point, which on reflection is the best way, especially as I've now had some time to process the news and all you lovely people replying has also helped hugely 🙂. I'm very similar to you and have opted for the mechanical valve. I'm glad you are now ok after your recovery time. Agreed, these surgeons are on another level. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. All the best. Paul
Hi, Having two valves done at the same makes the surgery more complex, no doubt about that, but, you whilst you won't realise it just now, the surgeon being upfront about it is a positive in that they know about a potential issue with the Tricuspid Valve. Try not to underestimate the benefit of that knowledge to the surgical team.
My first surgery, a single AVR at a youngish age was straightforward, it couldn't have gone any better. The second 19 years later at 52, was meant to be a simple AVR redo, but became much more. The surgeon had no indication beforehand that there was/maybe a problem with the Mitral as well. They effectively went in blind, and the surgery became very complicated, an emergency situation in many ways, long, encompassing Aortic and Mitral valve replacements and other related issues. Anyway, I obviously survived, because complex or not, the surgeons are more than capable of dealing with most situations.
I was unfortunate enough to contract Endocarditis soon after, and had a third surgery 4months later. The expectation was that both valves would again be replaced, however, in the event when I was opened up they found that they could repair the Mitral, but, the Aortic was too far gone. They had a much better idea what to expect that day.
So, I've come through two double valve surgeries, albeit not Tricuspid/Mitral.
The way I would look at is, better to be prepared than being caught out by an unknown factor.
Quality of life is what you make of it, and there's every probability that you'll walk away from the surgery "fixed" as I refer to it and live a normal life. Personally, I did what I what I've always done, picked myself and fought after the 3rd surgery. Back at work 4 months later, a Stranglers gig at 5 weeks, and Premier League Football match at 6 weeks post-op. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have ongoing problems with Heart Failure, for the last 2 years, but, that's a different story and my quality of life remains decent enough. Retired at 60, holiday twice this year, still go to football matches, have a drink when I want etc....
Bottom line as I see it, your surgeon is being honest and not hiding anything from you, which is a good thing.
Best Wishes
Heed
Hi Heed, thanks for replying. Yes, you are correct in that I now know everything that is going to happen before the operation. It was just hard to hear when I'd ony just got my head around accepting that the Mitral valve needs replacing. I cannot image going through 2 double valve surgeries. Good to hear you are still OK and living everyday, especially going to a Stranglers gig so soon after, very cool 🙂. Thanks again. Paul
Hi Paul, Sorry to hear about your Trucuspid valve, last time we talked it was just your Mitral valve.
My problem was mainly the tricuspid regurgitation that was severe, the Mitral was moderate, as my surgeon said he didn’t want to fix the tricuspid and have to get me back in a few years for the Mitral, I’m in Australia and I don’t know if things differ a lot from country to country but open heart was my only option here
To get them both done at once. My surgeon also said he wouldn’t know till they operated exactly what they would do but he thought the pig valve as he didn’t use the metal valves for Trucuspid.
As it turned out he did the Annunoplasty on both, he said my heart didn’t like the pig valves, I assumed from that remark, he tried both. I was in surgery over 6 hours, maybe that’s why.
I know what a stressful time this is for you, I was waiting 7 months before I had it done, very hard to think of anything else.
I am very glad I had it done, I’m so much better, have been in the garden all afternoon, and lifting bags of potting soil, I’ve got nearly 20 years on you, so I’m sure you will have a great outcome. I was very confident in the Surgeon I had from the minute I met him, I didn’t look anywhere else and that was a huge comfort to me.
Very best wishes, Jenny
Hi Jenny, good to chat again. Hope you are still well. Yep, the last time I posted it was just the Mitral valve but he has had a good look at the data and similar to you he said he will not know the extent of the damage until he opens me up. He did say his team are prepared to do whatever fixes are required in the one operation, so like you I could be in surgery for a while. The waiting is the killer. In England it's making headlines today that there are 7.7 million people on the waiting list for treatment, I'm in there somewhere🙂. Thanks again for your kind supportive words. All the best. Paul
Are you having repairs or replacement? I had both valves repaired at the end of 2018.
When I went into hospital I thought it was just for the mitral valve repair but was a bit surprised to learn that I had my tricuspid valve repaired at the same time.
In the event it made absolutely no difference to my recovery and I have felt very well since, long May it continue.
Hope this helps put your mind at ease a little xx
Hi there, the Mitral valve definitely needs replacing and he thinks the tricuspid might just need a repair but he will know more once they operate. Its good to hear of others like you who have had similar surgery, thanks for the reply and yes, my mind is more at ease now🙂 Keep well. All the best. Paul
Good morning ....I had both my mitral and tricuspid valves done and am just a year post op. I was prepared to have replacement valves and had all the discussions but the surgeon repaired them ...which was also discussed. Having both valves done sounds drastic but it is a fairly routine and common procedure with an extremely high success rate. It always sounds more scary because it is open heart surgery but you will be in exceptional hands and the team that look after you are amazing. Hospital stays vary but I believe ICU after the op is usually 1-2 days to get everything stable then back onto the ward. Even though this is major surgery, you can be home within a week. Physios had me out of bed and walking the next day. Recovery is not a walk in the park and once home you will most probably find you will have steps forward and a few back but it you do everything as advised....especially exercise...stay positive and determined, it will all be beneficial. I found doing the breathing exercises daily leading up to the op were a great help and these are a must do after surgery to help get your lung function back to capacity. Recovery isn't always 'text book' and I'm sure people will give different accounts of it as everyone is different....age... circumstance....lots of things can vary that can make the journey fairly fast or sometimes lengthened but this can be the case with most surgeries. You will get lots of support and advice from people on the forum who have been through the op that I am sure will be a great help for you as they have been for many others. I hope all goes well for you...take care x
Hi there, thanks so much for the detailed reply, so happy to hear you are doing well🙂. Yep, he said I'd be in for 1 week if all goes to plan. I asked my surgeon about his experience and he has done surgery where multiple valves needed work many times. Plus he has done over 5000 heart operations, so I keep playing that part of my chat with him over and over in my head. My life is in his hands and I need to trust him and his team 100%, as they are the experts. I'll try some of those breathing exercises you mentioned now to prepare, good idea🙂. This forum has been great to chat with lots of different people, so I'll definitely post again to give you an update. Thanks again. All the best. Paul
You can't go wrong doing the chest and breathing exercises before your op....you do the same ones after and it really does help with your coughing and breathing post op. My surgeon told me more or less what you were told and they really are masters in their art. You will be in the very safe hands of experts and the staff that tend to you after are just as gifted in what they do. You will be just fine. X
Lovely words, many thanks for your reply. I agree, the people who do these operations and the ICU staff who look after us are amazing, so I will think positively as I can whilst I wait. Take care.
Keep us posted x
Hi there, For sure it's a shock to be told the tricuspid valve may also need replacing. It happened to my husband in April this year shortly before being admitted and after further tests, his planned operation went from only mitral valve to having also tricuspid and a bypass. The surgeon's thinking was I believe, that it was preferable to the strong possibility of further open heart surgery.
Now, 5 months post op, and after some initial struggles with low mood, he is doing brilliantly. At a party last Sunday, and much to my surprise he even got me up for a jive! Pretty impressive as he's 83 next week...
I have no words to adequately describe how much we feel indebted to the surgeons skill, and the wonderful nursing staff on the cardiology ward. I'm sure when the worrying and waiting for surgery is over you will feel the same sense of well being. Wishing you all the best.
Hi there, thanks for sharing your husbands experience. Happy to hear he is doing well and doing the jive at 83 years old....very impressive😀. I have read so many stories about the surgeons and the nurses, so hoping I get the same care which I'm sure I will. Thanks again. All the best. Paul
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