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MVP - Repair or replacement? Baffled.

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Posted 7/5/2016 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
My brother-in-law, 55 years old male is having MVP and 3 blocks. The cardio is suggesting him to go for valve replacement instead of repair and open heart to clear the blocks instead of angioplasty / stent.

Since he is already having 3 blocks, the cardio is saying valve repair may be tough, and valve replacement is the option. He is also saying stent is not possible due to MVP, and they are planning for an open heart surgery.

However, we are bit worried about open heart surgery.

Can anyone clarify these?

1. Is it true angioplasty/stent is not possible to clear the blocks when someone is having MVP? Why they are going for open heart instead?
2. Which is best - MVP repair or replacement?
3. If a valve is replaced, is it a permanent one? Is there any further replacement required when people get much older?
4. What is the survival rate for open heart and valve replacement?


Thanks.

Post Edited (David5010) : 7/5/2016 8:36:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/5/2016 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Is he stable enough to get a second opinion? If he can try for another opinion and see if the second opinion is a better option.
open heart is major surgery and requires a longer recovery time.
My daughter had open heart at 10 days old, she has Aortic Stenosis and her valve had to be opened it's at 85% and she is now 25 yrs old and going to be married soon...Wish I could help you better...
Posted 7/6/2016 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not super knowledgeable on the mitral valve. However, I have a bioposthetic aortic valve, so I can speak a little to valve replacement. Tissue valves are not permanent, as they only last between 10-20 years, then need to be replaced. Mechanical valves do last forever, however blood thinners are need for the lifetime of the valve.

Valve replacements via open heart surgery have become quite common, with excellent success rates. I was 36 when I had my last open heart surgery. I went home 4 days later, was running 7 weeks later and back to normal activities at 4 months. I was also very healthy going into surgery, so my activity level may be different than someone with acquired disease.

Best of luck!
Posted 7/7/2016 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
mitral valve work is real common nowadays. I would consult a cardio thoracic surgeon for opinion. but yes, even with open heart they get ya movin' and groovin' straight away.
Posted 7/7/2016 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all.

He already visited couple of other cardiologists, however during that time, he didn't go for angiogram procedure to identify the blocks. Only because they are opening for repair or replacement of valve for MVP, the doctor is planning for the by-pass as well along.

The doctor is saying they will try for the repair first, and go for valve replacement only if it is really required.

He is planning to opt for the mechanical valve instead of biological valve, if in-case the doctor decide to change from repair to replace while performing the surgery.

When a by-pass with repair is done now, can he again go for a valve replacement after 10-15 years?

Post Edited (David5010) : 7/7/2016 7:05:11 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/17/2016 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Update:
He underwent the open heart surgery for mitral valve replacement (mechanical) and the blocks removed ad well.

The doctors say the heart beat is still not normal, and the bpm is showing abnormal beats in the ECG. Is this Arrhythmia? The doctors seem to have given the cardioversion shock 5 times, and giving some potassium intake medication. If the beat doesn't come down, the doctors are saying they may go for more cardioversion.

Is this normal to have high heart beat after surgery? We are little worried.

Post Edited (David5010) : 7/17/2016 8:30:32 AM (GMT-6)

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