Tracy McPherson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

289 days ago

Edit: Just to clarify, the TMVIV is the Transcatheter Mitral Valve in Valve procedure. They go in and place new Valve (through cath) over the existing valve. ...Read more

Edit: Just to clarify, the TMVIV is the Transcatheter Mitral Valve in Valve procedure. They go in and place new Valve (through cath) over the existing valve. They do not remove the old valve.

Hello everyone! I have a Medtronic Porcine mitral valve that is leaking severely and has mild stenosis. I just had a consultation with a surgeon that recommended the TMVIV procedure. I am 50 years old and have already had full OHS twice in my life(18 months old and 35 y/o) due to ASD defect repair. Surgeon said that with my history, the TMVIV is the safest option since I want to go with a tissue valve and due existing scar tissue. Any thoughts on this opinion? Is TMVIV safe long term? What other option are there?

J Alexander Lassally I need to read more about it, but I thought any transcatheter Mitral replacement approach was new to ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally I need to read more about it, but I thought any transcatheter Mitral replacement approach was new to the scene, so there is not a lot of data on it. Since you are 50, as am I, the question also mounts - what about another surgery down the road at 65 to 70? Does TMVIV buy you options, or close doors. Are you in the PNW? Noticed Richland. I am also... I'd suggest getting a consult at a re-repair speciality center...

Yumiko Ishida I am not familiar with TMIVI. I’m assuming that is a transcatheter procedure? If that is the case, ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida I am not familiar with TMIVI. I’m assuming that is a transcatheter procedure? If that is the case, I think J Alexander is right in that it is relatively new and there is not a lot of data. Has anybody mentioned thoractomy as an option? It’s frequently referred to as “minimally invasive,” but it’s riskier in terms of potential complications compared to sternotomy. Hope you find the right surgeon for you!

Robert Miller I am not qualified to give any advice. But what are the other options not going with a TMVIV? Not sur ... Read more

Robert Miller I am not qualified to give any advice. But what are the other options not going with a TMVIV? Not sure how long it will last but it's less invasive. I had a couple of surgeries and scaring was mentioned as an issue. So I am not sure you want to add to that if you can avoid it. I assume you were not treated for Afib. I had the maze procedure which adds some more (different) scaring. So it probably can't be compared to your situation. You might want to ask how soon/likely you will need another surgery going one way or another. And what are the implications for either decision. And how many such cases the surgeon handled before. And get another opinion.

Valerie Allen I’m not familiar with it either, as mine was aortic full sternotomy. But I would ask for how many t ... Read more

Valerie Allen I’m not familiar with it either, as mine was aortic full sternotomy. But I would ask for how many the surgeon has performed, how often and what is his success rate. Also the possible complications after surgery and how long the valve is expected to last. That said, I would also get a second opinion and ask the same questions about whatever they recommend.

Yumiko Ishida Valve in valve! I should’ve figured that one out. It’s in my long term plan. As a lay person, I f ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Valve in valve! I should’ve figured that one out. It’s in my long term plan. As a lay person, I found data on TMVR to be scarce, and info on mitral VIV even scarcer. Nothing on mitral valve-in-valve-in-valve. So you probably do need to seek out a specialist. It might have to be a re-repair specialist, as J says, or a mitral valve specialist, preferably a mitral valve re-repair specialist. Let us know what you find out!

Tracy McPherson Yeah, I haven't been able to find much of any information, research, or studies about it. I don't wan ... Read more

Tracy McPherson Yeah, I haven't been able to find much of any information, research, or studies about it. I don't want to put something in that will fall out down the road.

Tracy McPherson My only other options are minimally invasive through the side valve replacement, but not recommended ... Read more

Tracy McPherson My only other options are minimally invasive through the side valve replacement, but not recommended due to scar tissue from two previous open heart surgeries would make it too risky and full open heart not recommended either, as he said the sternum would not heal properly if cut open a third time.

Robert Miller Again, I am not really qualified talking about this but why did you have two OHS in the first place? ... Read more

Robert Miller Again, I am not really qualified talking about this but why did you have two OHS in the first place? Did something go wrong with the first one (it did for me)? Did you have a repair and that didn't work out? Then had a replacement? If you have another OHS the success rate might depend on your history. I think there are quite a few people here that had more than two open heart surgeries. I never heard that the healing of the sternum is an issue. But if it is, I heard of people having some plate installed. So maybe that's an option. I really don't know, though. Just some thoughts to discuss with the surgeon.

Tracy McPherson I had my first OHS at 18 months due to ASD repair. Then in 2009 I had my leaking mitral valve replace ... Read more

Tracy McPherson I had my first OHS at 18 months due to ASD repair. Then in 2009 I had my leaking mitral valve replaced with the porcine valve that I have now.