Patient Story of Amy K

My Story

About Me (In My Own Words)

Hello,

Like many of you, I have been diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation. I have known since my late 20's that I probably had a MVP. Primary care physicians over the years would acknowledge my murmur, but I was never referred to a Cardiologist for monitoring.

I am sixty years old, and I have always been a very active person. I noticed this Spring that I did not have my usual hiking stamina. A visit to my PCP, week of CAM, and echo revealed the reason why. I am largely asymptomatic, unless I get my heart rate above 130 BPM. At higher heart rates, I experience non-AFib arrhythmia and reduced stamina.

I am scheduled for surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on 7/23/21, and I am hoping for a robot-assisted mitral valve repair. As you all know, the surgeon won't really know what course they will take until I complete my pre-op angiogram and other testing in the three days leading up to my surgery. Have any of you had a robot-assisted mitral repair and/or experience?

I also have mild regurgitation of my tricuspid valve. Have any of you also had this combined diagnosis? I've read about TR getting worse after mitral valve repair, mostly having to do with heart remodeling after ischemic mitral valve disease repair. My mitral disease is functional. It sounds attractive to have both valves repaired at once, but I dread being on bypass a minute longer than necessary. I just learned of 'pumphead" last night. Of course, I haven't had this conversation with my surgeon, but I am interested in your experiences.

I have a wonderful family and supportive friends, but they are all trying to be upbeat, positive, and reassuring. I am also trying to reassure all of them. In other words, no one is taking the deep dives with me. I want to be positive, but realistic.

I recognize how incredibly privileged I am to have the opportunity to undergo this amazing, lifesaving surgery. I am humbled and grateful. I want advanced medical care to be the option for all Americans.

Thank you for reading.