Mitral valve replacement with tricuspid repair

[Mtym]

I am trying to come to terms with facing open heart surgery shortly for severe mitral valve disease and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. I am 77 with other health issues and I am concerned about the length of time I'll need to recover. I spoke to my GP today to discuss the consultant's findings and it seems without the surgery I don't have long left. Can anyone on here give me their experiences? Thank you

[Traveldreams]

I did not have the same health issues but needed mv repair and possibly replacement. I asked Dr same question as I have a very low immune system. Was given same answer. I’m 55. I was lucky and was back at work part time at 13 weeks and full time at 16 weeks. Currently on holiday enjoying life to the full BUT if you read the stories on here this is not the case for everyone and it is wise to go into your op full of hope but aware of all possible outcomes.

Good luck to you x

[NotanAstronaut]

Hi Mtym

It is a big op in that it takes several hours, your heart is opened and you're put on heart lung bypass for the time it takes the surgeons to repair or replace your valves, and of course you have to have your sternum split open for the operation itself. BUT, it is quite routine around the world these days, and in case you're squeamish about what I've just described...you'll be out of it soon enough after arriving in the operating theatre and should get lots of painkilling drugs when you come round on intensive care.

I had aortic valve replacement a year ago, but I was 20 years younger than you, and relatively symptom free when I had it done. I was given two years to live if I didn't get it done.

You'll know what symptoms you have now and what the benefits of success are likely to be in terms of improvement in those symptoms. It will take you a good three months to recover from the surgery though within a day or two you should be up and starting to walk about. The sternum wound hurts when you laugh, cough, sneeze or move in bed. A year on and I still feel some discomfort in bed turning over, but I can swim a kilometre, ski, cycle and walk, as normal, despite being on warfarin.

I was in hospital for a week. You might be there a bit longer given your 20 years seniority. My top tip - take in some salt and pepper for the food. It might make it a bit more palable!

My surgeon emphasised to me that it was my choice to have the surgery. There are small risks of having a heart attack or stroke during the operation, but faced with death within 2 years I thought they were risks I had to take. We've all gotta go at some point haven't we so you make your choice - have the surgery, hope it does you a world of good and you live years more being more active than you have been or you ask them to treat you as best they can with drugs and see how long it gives you. They should be able to give you an idea of what time that might be and what it will be like for you. You don't have to have surgery. Surgeons like operating - its what they've trained to do, but they do normally tell patients if the outcome is likely to be futile. They have enough people on their waiting lists not to operate on 'hopeless' cases. The fact that you've been offered it suggests to me they don't think you are one of these!

I hope this helps, apologies for my bluntness and good luck.

[Janmat in reply to NotanAstronaut]

Hi - thanks for that. Just been informed I need open heart surgery (replacement aortic valve and triple bypass) and was absolutely stunned as I am asymptomatic and exercise regularly. I’d been warned that I would need some sort of intervention, but wasn’t expecting that. Your note has helped me quite a lot so, again, thank you x

[NotanAstronaut in reply to Janmat]

Thanks. Good luck. See my reply to JoTsu below too.

[JoTsu in reply to NotanAstronaut]

I know that you wrote this in reply to someone else but I am so grateful for your reply. It has answered a lot of the questions that I had. My cardiologist has referred me to a surgeon as I need surgery for severe mitral valve regurgitation and aortic valve stenosis due to a bicuspid valve. I really appreciate your response as it so full of good advice. Thank you again.

[NotanAstronaut in reply to JoTsu]

Great. Thanks for telling me. Good luck yourself

Did I link my blog? shaunoconnell.com/2023/08/1...

I’m a year and two days on. I’m writing the second half of the blog now.

[JoTsu in reply to NotanAstronaut]

Thank you so much. I will read it now. Really appreciate it.

[Boomlover]

My husband, 84 yrs old, had a mitral valve replacement in April this year . He also has other medical issues but he came through all the tests, I.e. lung function, scans angiograms etc. So they went ahead with the op. He was in special care for 1 week and then 3 further weeks in hospital. It did take longer for him to recover and gradually, every week, his stamina and strength is improving. If he didn't have the op he would have had a limited mobility and life span. Now we can look forward to a better future. Hope everything goes well with you.

[minerva9 in reply to Boomlover]

Glad all is well and to hear that he is improving

[Janmat]

Hi - I’m in the same boat. I’m 77 and have just been told I need open heart surgery - replacement aortic valve and a triple bypass. Although I had been half expecting the news I kidded myself that it wouldn’t come to that because I am pretty much asymptomatic and exercise regularly! To say I was stunned is an understatement and, like you, I am now trying to process the news. I must admit I did feel a little better about it after reading NotanAstronaut’s comments, but am still feeling very stressed. No idea when I’ll get the surgery!