mitral valve and maze

[Guest guest]

Hi Lil

I have had a leaky mitral valve for over 30 years...I am 50 and about a

little over a year ago went into AFIB. I had one cardioversion and it was good

for three weeks. Then waited for six months and had another one which also

lasted for a week. The dr put me flacanide (50 mg) and after one week, I was

diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Had open heart surgery in Feb 2005

and had a heart valve replacement. Dr was unable to correct the

AFIB...because of scar tissue from rhematic fever. However the leakage problem

has been

corrected and the left atrium is still enlarged.. AFIB does not happen

often... all in all, I feel good and can perform most normal activities with no

problems. I guess I am glad that I had the heart valve replacement now rather

than in my 70's. I recovered after 8 weeks and I look and feel so much

better.

hi Annie, thanks for responding...so with the replacement you have to be on

coumadin, right? But you notice a definite improvement in your stamina, for

example? I am starting to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of mitral valve

surgery. I am 61 and not sure I want to wait around another 10 years until my

poor mitral valve poops out. Maybe the one I have can be repaired. I

understand they can also do the Maze as long as they are in there for the afib;

two

for the price of one! ?? It scares me to Kingdom Come to think of Open

Heart Surgery. I understand there is also less invasive surgery for the mitral

valve and maze.

Lil

[Guest guest]

Speaking of leaky mitrals and afib...my sister had open heart for this in March

this year. She is 62. She recovered well and now I can never find her!! Always

on the go!!! I just found out last week that her heart doctor said she could

stop taking coumanim and her EKG's looked great...for her no more afib. I

thought I would encourage you with this news. She said she would do it all over

again.

Sherry from Indy

-------------- Original message --------------

From: cnetwork@...

Hi Lil

I have had a leaky mitral valve for over 30 years...I am 50 and about a

little over a year ago went into AFIB. I had one cardioversion and it was good

for three weeks. Then waited for six months and had another one which also

lasted for a week. The dr put me flacanide (50 mg) and after one week, I was

diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Had open heart surgery in Feb 2005

and had a heart valve replacement. Dr was unable to correct the

AFIB...because of scar tissue from rhematic fever. However the leakage problem

has been

corrected and the left atrium is still enlarged.. AFIB does not happen

often... all in all, I feel good and can perform most normal activities with no

problems. I guess I am glad that I had the heart valve replacement now rather

than in my 70's. I recovered after 8 weeks and I look and feel so much

better.

hi Annie, thanks for responding...so with the replacement you have to be on

coumadin, right? But you notice a definite improvement in your stamina, for

example? I am starting to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of mitral valve

surgery. I am 61 and not sure I want to wait around another 10 years until my

poor mitral valve poops out. Maybe the one I have can be repaired. I

understand they can also do the Maze as long as they are in there for the afib;

two

for the price of one! ?? It scares me to Kingdom Come to think of Open

Heart Surgery. I understand there is also less invasive surgery for the mitral

valve and maze.

Lil

[Guest guest]

Speaking of leaky mitrals and afib...my sister had open heart for this in March

this year. She is 62. She recovered well and now I can never find her!! Always

on the go!!! I just found out last week that her heart doctor said she could

stop taking coumanim and her EKG's looked great...for her no more afib. I

thought I would encourage you with this news. She said she would do it all over

again.

Sherry from Indy

-------------- Original message --------------

From: cnetwork@...

Hi Lil

I have had a leaky mitral valve for over 30 years...I am 50 and about a

little over a year ago went into AFIB. I had one cardioversion and it was good

for three weeks. Then waited for six months and had another one which also

lasted for a week. The dr put me flacanide (50 mg) and after one week, I was

diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Had open heart surgery in Feb 2005

and had a heart valve replacement. Dr was unable to correct the

AFIB...because of scar tissue from rhematic fever. However the leakage problem

has been

corrected and the left atrium is still enlarged.. AFIB does not happen

often... all in all, I feel good and can perform most normal activities with no

problems. I guess I am glad that I had the heart valve replacement now rather

than in my 70's. I recovered after 8 weeks and I look and feel so much

better.

hi Annie, thanks for responding...so with the replacement you have to be on

coumadin, right? But you notice a definite improvement in your stamina, for

example? I am starting to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of mitral valve

surgery. I am 61 and not sure I want to wait around another 10 years until my

poor mitral valve poops out. Maybe the one I have can be repaired. I

understand they can also do the Maze as long as they are in there for the afib;

two

for the price of one! ?? It scares me to Kingdom Come to think of Open

Heart Surgery. I understand there is also less invasive surgery for the mitral

valve and maze.

Lil

[Guest guest]

Lil

cnetwork@... wrote:

Hi Lil

I have chosen a mechanical heart valve (titanium) which should last a

lifetime. A pig valve will only last about 10 years. With a mechanical heart

valve, I have to be on coumadin for life. With a pig valve, if all goes well,

coumadin is not necessary. The heart valve can also be repaired. That is the

number one choice for doctors. If it cannot be repaired, then a replacement is

needed. With my new heart valve, I noticed a BIG, BIG improvement with my

stamina. I can climb a long flight of stairs...however, I do rest a bit and I

do make it to the top. I walk fast for 30 minutes each day. I am almost normal.

I can drink coffee (a cup a day), have a beer or a glass of wine and be OK. I

am still afraid of afib so I do watch what I consume and eat. As for the MAZE,

my dr wanted to fix the AFIB but can't because of scar tissue caused by the

rhematic fever. If I didn't have the scar tissue, I think he would have fixed

it. So for you, it's a good possibility of fixing " two for

the price

of one " . As a matter of fact, there was an article in the San Francisco

newspaper last year saying that it may be better for people with damaged heart

valve to get it fixed now rather than waiting until in their 70's. Having it

fixed earlier, gives the person a better quality of life and also not the danger

of heart failure. As for myself, I am really glad it happened now rather than

in my 70's or 80's. I get so many comments from people that I look so much

better...seriously...I think the blood is pumping correctly and it makes me feel

better and therefore look better.

With technology nowadays, the open heart surgery was not that bad. I

recovered in 8 or 9 weeks...and I had a broken bone on my right foot mid-last

year also (yes, it was quite a year) and couldn't drive and the recovery took 12

weeks. It was harder than my open heart surgery...so don't be afraid...Whatever

you decide...I wish you the best of luck!

hi Annie, thanks for responding...so with the replacement you have to be on

coumadin, right? But you notice a definite improvement in your stamina, for

example? I am starting to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of mitral valve

surgery. I am 61 and not sure I want to wait around another 10 years until my

poor mitral valve poops out. Maybe the one I have can be repaired. I

understand they can also do the Maze as long as they are in there for the afib;

two

for the price of one! ?? It scares me to Kingdom Come to think of Open

Heart Surgery. I understand there is also less invasive surgery for the mitral

valve and maze.

Lil