Mitral Valve Repair: Different Approaches for Different Patients (Interview with Dr. Joanna Chikwe)

www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Patient advantages of mitral valve repair compared to mitral valve replacement include long-term durability, no required use of blood thinners, and the return to a normal life-expectancy. The "gold standard" for surgeon access to a leaking mitral valve (also known as mitral regurgitation) is a sternotomy which is an incision through the patient's chest. During the past 20 years, however, several new technologies have evolved that provide surgeons different access points that are minimally-invasive or non-invasive including robotic-assisted and transcatheter approaches (e.g. MitraClip). Watch this interview with Dr. Joanna Chikwe, Chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to learn how she and the Cedars-Sinai heart team uses different mitral valve repair approaches for different patients based upon risk-profiles, patient preferences and clinical trials. See patient reviews and a complete surgeon biography for Dr. Chikwe at www.heart-valve-surgery.com/s....

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Thank you Dr Chikwe. Excellent explanation and graphics.

[@anitaolson-nn3jx]

DR. Chikwe repaired my leaking mitral valve 2 weeks ago via robotic-assisted surgery. After the first few days my pain, which was minor, was controlled by Tylenol. Dr. Chikwe was very informative and I always felt like I knew what was going to happen as well as during the follow up in the hospital after surgery. Dr. Chikwe is the gold standard for mitral valve surgery.

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Anita, We are so happy to learn that Dr. Chikwe and the Cedars team took such great care of you! Congratulations on your wonderful mitral valve repair success story!

[@franardis5304]

I have Kaiser Permanente medical insurance and I have requested a referral to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I am very hopeful the referral will be granted and accepted by Cedars-Sinai. After seeing this video, I am eager to have Dr. Chikwe perform my mitral valve repair or replacement surgery.

[@xrayman7040]

I had a totally open mitral valve repair and along with what the Dr said, I was surprised how little pain is involved post operatively after getting your sternum cracked.

[@maryjobell]

This channel is a total blessing to me as I prepare for surgery. Thank you, thank you, thank you for creating it. You are blessing untold number of lives.

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Mary, Thanks so much for the very kind words! Great to hear how our videos are helping educate and empower you!

[@ebo2584]

Thank you so much for that very important information; am kind of new to this and there is lot of info and recommendations to follow but early is better than late for sure!!! Thks👍

[@KpxUrz5745]

Dr Chikwe did a superb job of explaining so many aspects of valve surgery, and I actually feel a lot better about these advancements, should this be in my future.

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Great to hear!

[@dnob6668]

Thank you for the info. I am doing research for my mother who is in need of a valve repair or replacement.

[@JewelersDaughter]

Very informative. Excellent explanation of choices.

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi there! Great to hear you enjoyed this video mitral valve repair with Dr. Joanna Chikwe!!!

[@lynleymcfarland2420]

Very clear information

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Great. Thanks Lynley!

[@sarahjo1201]

Thank you so much for this great information… I am trying to decide if I would be a candidate for the Mitral Valve surgery…. I have been dealing with a leaky valve most of my life…. Most Drs I have seen usually say it’s not a problem! As I’m getting older I am having problems to the point I feel like an Episode of Mystery Diagnosis!! So I want to thank you so much maybe there is hope for me finally..

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi Sarah Jo!!! Wonderful to read this. We are so happy the information provided by Dr. Chikwe was helpful as you monitor your mitral valve disease. If you need anything, you can always visit our educational resources and patient community at www.heart-valve-surgery.com/. Hope that helps!

[@Lindoronyuni]

I’m severe on mitral regurgitation with mild symptoms. Mainly fatigue. They want to monitor it every 6 months. I hear her say it’s better now, but my cardiologist wants to wait until I have more symptoms. They said you don’t operate until you have the symptoms, and fatigue doesn’t mean it’s coming from this. I’m guessing maybe I get a second opinion?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

A second opinion might be helpful for you Tabor. Here's another video about research related to early surgery for mitral regurgitation - kzbin.info/www/bejne/opKupKFogKqlepo. Hope that helps!

[@luchasiempre5857]

I would like to have that surgery instead of open heart

[@zargulkhan7]

I had repair in 2013 when when i was 13,,Recently Echo showed mild regurgitation after 10 years. I am 23, can i make it till 50s with my own valve???plz answer,,

[@angievazquez8647]

A year ago a cardiologist attempted to place a micro chip on my mitral value, however he said that he attempted a few times and the clip kept on dislodging (haven't heard anything regarding this issue). Could this be true ? In the meantime my cardiologist feels that open heart surgery would be too risky. Sooo I feel that it a wait and see. Any advice on this.

[@Wild100sRaisedMe]

I am definitely having the fatigue and rapid heartbeat at crazy times of the day with what I feel like pressure in the middle of my chest but not pain it’s just uncomfortable and a mild shortness of breathe, but not everyday. And I’ve waken up out of my sleep on many nights. This has just started maybe a few months ago (the pressure in my chest). I’m also waking up with acid reflux. Not sure if that’s a part of it. So my mind is in a frenzy.

[@Jeff-df9ct]

Go to a cardiologist and get an echocardiogram

[@Wild100sRaisedMe]

@@Jeff-df9ct yup been there done that. Did a stress echo as well. I am now wearing a heart monitor for 30 days just to keep track so the cardiologist can get a better perspective of what I possibly be going through.

[@brianpalasia6020]

Is this available in Australia 🇦🇺 or just in America? If someone knows can you please reply to me

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi, Great question. We would encourage you to speak with your medical team to determine which procedures are available in Australia. Sorry that we cannot be of more help!

[@naomivantonder1161]

I had a tripple bypass done with a stenotomie and I beg to differ from you. It was extremely painfull. I rather give birth to my twins again. I have a mitral valve leaking and would rather have it done by a catheter procedure. Do you have to have a leak fixed? Or can you leave it.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Depends if you have symptoms but over time that mitral valve will cause heart enlargement and heart failure. But talk to a cardiac surgeon about that I am not an ND just responding based on my understanding. Sorry your OHS was so painful.

[@JeffKohn]

Exploring need for surgery for MR. How do they know valve anatomy before cutting you open? Meaning, how do they know what solution is right before the incision? What diagnostic techniques are used?

[@trystalb]

On one video the said an angiogram, CT scan and one other thing. Sorry, can't remember the other.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram or TEE

[@bobabraham5060]

And they should/will check your cardiac arteries by catheterization before the op to determine if you need one or more bypasses while they are in there.

[@JeffKohn]

It sounds from Dr Chickwe that robotic repair is the preferred and more precise method. Is that true?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Yes, Dr. Chikwe prefers to use the robot for the treatment of mitral regurgitation if that approach is possible and safe for the patient.

[@RVBadlands2015]

Can a mitral valve repair and TAVR be done at the same time if you have a mitral leaky and a aortic valve that sticks.

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Great question RV! We will look into this! Thanks!

[@nancyconnors4415]

i had mitral repair with a ring 2 years ago. I am not having problem again with leaking. my doctor wants me to see another surgeon and talk about getting the clip. My question is, do I need to be concerned about working out to hard. I enjoy snow skiing and hiking but now I am worried the clip would tear?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Nancy, This is a great question. Let me see if I can get one of our heart valve experts to answer this for you. Thanks and stay tuned!

[@leesarah801]

I had my mitral repair with a ring 10 weeks ago, and I wonder why do you need to see another surgeon even you have no leaking now for the mitral clip? Is that a need for the future?

[@demirification]

I'm confused. if you dont have any problem. why do you see another doc?

[@yolandejones6183]

I went for a open heart surgery in April this year I'm fine a Bray new valve I took no blood for the operation

[@yolandejones6183]

I had a brand new valve

[@phillipmiller4541]

Do you know of any great heart valve surgeons, like Dr. Joanna Chikwe, in the Kansas City, Missouri area?

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Northwestern hospital in Chicago has mitral valve specialist team.

[@weloveyoubobmarleymayursou8632]

I have a Mitral valve replaced the new robot is not yet in Africa? I real need to now this

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi, Thanks for your question. We do not know if the robot is in Africa yet. I'm sorry we don't have more information to help you!

[@wendyrashall3016]

What about re op on calcified mitral valve!! Statistics of death?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi Wendy, Great question. Unfortunately, we do not have a specific answer for you. We'll ask around. Sorry, we do not have more information to help you at this time.

[@sreesai8340]

Mechanical maitral valve lasting

[@pjsguitar99]

If the patient mitral valve is leaking and doctor consult to do MVR using tissue valve but the patient heart is working at 20%, can surgery happened in this condition.??????? Please reply!?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi, You have a very good question. And, it's very specific to your specific situation. I would ask that question to you medical team to see what they think. Our thoughts are with you!

[@aboobackerip8209]

Is it possible somewhere in south India ?

[@singersunite9785]

I have a leaky valve, it’s ruining my life

[@FatimahDarboe-gs5cw]

Hello I found this to be really helpful I've been diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis too Can I please have Dr Joanna's email please?

[@HeartValveSurgery]

Hi Fatimah, You can contact Dr. Chikwe's office at [phone]. Hope that helps!

[@ManiKandan-rn9cp]

My son 6 years old his broblem is mitral valve, check the 6 doctors- diffetent statement but one matter is clear my son heart mitral valve problem is return blood back left ventricle. My son play fastlty time breathing is difficult but this one or two minutes recover his go again play. Pls tell this problem recover is automomically or any avaliable non surgical treatment, or non surgery recover solution Pls repay sir.

[@ManiKandan-rn9cp]

Pls replay