Kath Duggan - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

266 days ago

After my Mitral valve was repaired I went into Afib at home so they prescribed Eliquis. Unfortunately, I developed a problem that requires a dental visit, but ...Read more

After my Mitral valve was repaired I went into Afib at home so they prescribed Eliquis. Unfortunately, I developed a problem that requires a dental visit, but I was told not to stop the Eliquis without a doctor’s instruction. Has anyone here had this happen ? What were you told to do? ( I have messaged my cardiologist but I haven’t heard back yet).

Kath Dugganposted an update

447 days ago

I am scheduled for mitral valve surgery on November 27. I am considering which vaccinations I should have now, before my surgery. I am more concerned that I ...Read more

I am scheduled for mitral valve surgery on November 27. I am considering which vaccinations I should have now, before my surgery. I am more concerned that I could be exposed to more germs in the hospital after the surgery. What advice have any of you been given? ( I am reaching out to my cardiologist too but I know there is at least a 2 week window before the surgery that is suggested.) Has anyone had the new RSV shot?

Kath Dugganposted an update

460 days ago

Kath Duggan reacted to this

Has anyone developed afib while waiting for mitral valve surgery? I have had pvc beats but today I think I am in afib. I called my regular cardiologist but ...Read more

Has anyone developed afib while waiting for mitral valve surgery? I have had pvc beats but today I think I am in afib. I called my regular cardiologist but he was not in the office and the receptionist said to go to urgent care . My heart rate up and down….Is this something that will pass?

Svetlomir Ivanov Yes, this occured to me, and 1 month later, did the surgery. After surgery, in hospital, no Afib, but ... Read more

Svetlomir Ivanov Yes, this occured to me, and 1 month later, did the surgery. After surgery, in hospital, no Afib, but I hope the same in the future. Still no first check, because it it only 17 days after surgery

Kath Dugganposted an update

460 days ago

Kath Dugganposted an update

680 days ago

I live near Boston and have been diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation and . I am trying to to find a surgeon who does a minimal invasive repairs, ...Read more

I live near Boston and have been diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation and . I am trying to to find a surgeon who does a minimal invasive repairs, but so so far no luck. I am getting very discouraged after two months of looking.

Donna Casaletto Hi Kathy! I’m from Lynnfield, Ma and I’ll be having surgery for my severe mitral valve regurgita ... Read more

Donna Casaletto Hi Kathy! I’m from Lynnfield, Ma and I’ll be having surgery for my severe mitral valve regurgitation on February 23. My surgeon is Dr. Nathaniel Langer at Mass General -Brigham Hospital. He performs minimally invasive surgeries if you’re a candidate. Unfortunately, due to a preventive bilateral mastectomy I am not a candidate for this surgery. Also he told me he’s 95% sure it will be a repair but to be prepared for a replacement.

Susan Lynn Kath - I'm sure Richard Munson will chime in. He had minimally-invasive mitral valve repair in Mass... Read more

Susan Lynn Kath - I'm sure Richard Munson will chime in. He had minimally-invasive mitral valve repair in Massachusetts. If you want to travel, there are many surgeons who specialize in this procedure, including mine near Philadelphia, Dr. Scott Goldman at Lankenau Heart Pavillion. Best of luck with your search!

Kath Duggan Thank you Donna and Susan for your comments. Unfortunately due to my insurance I think I am restricte ... Read more

Kath Duggan Thank you Donna and Susan for your comments. Unfortunately due to my insurance I think I am restricted to Massachusetts…maybe New Enland. Donna (or anyone else ) have any experiences with the Valve clinic at Mass General Corrigan Minehan Heart Center?

Richard Munson Sergui melichauk at mass general did my miminally invasive mitral valve surgery and he is great. He a ... Read more

Richard Munson Sergui melichauk at mass general did my miminally invasive mitral valve surgery and he is great. He also did maze at same time and replaced chords. Happy to share any data. His specialty is mitral valves.

Richard Munson I live in dartmouth by the way. I can also recommend dr. Dal bianco at mgh who was my boston cardiolo ... Read more

Richard Munson I live in dartmouth by the way. I can also recommend dr. Dal bianco at mgh who was my boston cardiologist at the time. Mitral valves are also his specialty.

Donna Casaletto Thank you Richard I was going to mention you too 😂‼️I had frozen pipe issues all day 🙈‼� ... Read more

Donna Casaletto Thank you Richard I was going to mention you too 😂‼️I had frozen pipe issues all day 🙈‼️

Richard Munson It’ll keep your mind off your surgery. My daughter in beverly has frozen pipes. Chose not to listen ... Read more

Richard Munson It’ll keep your mind off your surgery. My daughter in beverly has frozen pipes. Chose not to listen to dear old dad about keeping a trickle going thru the night.

Donna Casaletto I did the trickle, bumped the heat up and even left the bathroom cabinet doors open! The bathrooms th ... Read more

Donna Casaletto I did the trickle, bumped the heat up and even left the bathroom cabinet doors open! The bathrooms that are affected have pipes in the outside walls…not a lot of heat🙈! Thankfully, no bursting pipes and hairdryers work miracles! Hope your daughter’s situation improves too🤞

Kath Duggan Thank you Richard and Donna, I am going to call MGH tomorrow again to try to get to see someone. Rich ... Read more

Kath Duggan Thank you Richard and Donna, I am going to call MGH tomorrow again to try to get to see someone. Richard I read your post to Terri. I find this part hard…I was sent to Beth Israel by my local cardiologist…the e doctor from there asked me if I wanted a mitral clip or open heart surgery when he called me ( and then said he could zoom call me in 2 months). I need to find someone who will explain things ….