Resolved question:
I am in a Italian hospital for a mitral valve prolapse. I felt sick while on vacation. I keep reading and listening heads of cardio hospital medical sites that a valve can be repaired in 90 % of patients. the statements seem recurrent. Here they tell me my valve has mixomatosi (not sure in English) and that repair cannot be performed.but I keep reading that such condition should not be a problem.
I trust more the American hospitals. can this be possible? replacement of a metallic valve is not a good option
what are the cases of absolute not possible repair? I am contemplating flying back to the States if there is a possibility. flying, they say can hurt my heart. I would fly there only if I knew it can be replaced.
please advice
frank
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Cardiologist
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
Repair of the heart valve usually is the preferred and more common type of surgery for myxomatous prolapse or MVP. When the mitral valve is seriously damaged, heart valve replacement may be recommended.
Examples of serious damage or complicated conditions that might lead to mitral valve replacement include: Extensive ballooning of the mitral valve (rather than a single flap that puffs up).
Severe hardening (calcification) of the valve.
Prolapse (bulging) of the valve at an unusual location.
Damage to the valve from infection.
The decision as to whether you need a mv repair or replacement can be taken on the basis of your echo finding of mitral valve. Also the surgeon can access the status of mitral valve on table while operating. A surgeon should ideally try to preserve the mitral valve which should be possible in 80 to 90 percent of the cases. Possibly you could be having one of the conditions which makes mitral repair difficult. If you could upload your 2d echo report I could possibly help. Other alternative is to ask for a second opinion.
Whether you could be shifted out of Italy depends on your general condition. If you could provide some hospital data about your condition like the pulse blood pressure the examination findings some investigations and treatment details, I could give an opinion regarding safety of air travel.
Hope this helps, please feel free to discuss further.
Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
DM Cardiology