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Last Reply:

83 year old woman needing valve surgery

heartbert posted:

This is regarding my mother. She had a heart attack in July, 1988, and has been on medication. Since about 2002 she has had some degree of heart failure, taking diuretics for about the last five years, I guess. She takes plavix, covederil, lipitor, a loop diuretic (don't know which) and another (blood thinner?) plus childrens aspirin. She recently had a stent placed in. A doctor said one of her valves is not healthy. What are the possibilities to do a valve surgery. I read about Barbara Bush, at 83, having this done last year in a Houston hospital. Are all valves repairable by the mechanical method? If you need any other specific information, let me know and I would try to get it. I just want to educate myself about this. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:83 year old woman needing valve surgeryThis is regarding my mother. She had a heart attack in July, 1988, and has been on medication. Since about 2002 she has had some degree of heart failure, taking diuretics for about the last five years, I guess. She takes plavix, covederil, lipitor, a loop diuretic (don't know which) and another (blood thinner?) plus childrens aspirin. She recently had a stent placed in. A doctor said one of her valves is not healthy. What are the possibilities to do a valve surgery. I read about Barbara Bush, at 83, having this done last year in a Houston hospital. Are all valves repairable by the mechanical method? If you need any other specific information, let me know and I would try to get it. I just want to educate myself about this. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CardiostarUSA1 responded:

Hi:

"What are the possibilities to do a valve surgery?"

In general-only here, even though heart surgery, or non-surgical catheter-based procedures carries risks (and the possibility of complications, some unforeseen), and is considerably riskier in the older crowd, it is reported that more individuals in the early/mid-to-late 80s, and even well into the 90s, are undergoing procedures, such as heart valve repair or replacement (first time or re-op), thanks to the advancements made in this area, and of course, some highly-skilled doctors.

Today, as applicable, some individuals who are deemed high-risk, or even inoperable, may be considered (by some doctors) a candidate for an experimental, non-surgical procedure that replaces a heart valve (ReValving) without removing the native valve, namely percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR), implanting a new aortic bioprosthesis right over the diseased heart valve.

Outcomes in general can not be predicted though, and pre-existing medical conditions (cardiac or otherwise), negative factors, and especially comorbidities (medical conditions known to increase the risk of death in addition to the most significant condition that causes an individual's stay in the hospital), as well one's general overall health are taken into consideration.

Most important, communicate well with her doctors at ALL times. The very best of luck to your 83-years-young mother down the road of life.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)

-

-

Be well-informed

Cleveland Clinic

Valve Surgery - Past, Present, Future

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/history/future/valve.aspx

Informational and support site for heart valve replacement patients, and for those who may require this type of surgery sometime soon.

SEE: FORUMS

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/index.php

-

LEARN ABOUT the Heart

WebMD

The Heart: (Human Anatomy) Pictures, Definition, Location in the Body and Heart Problems

http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart

WebMD Health/The Cleveland Clinic

How the Healthy Heart Works

Arteries, Chambers, Valves

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/healthy-heart-works

Your-Doctor

How the Heart Pumps

Animated Tutorial

http://your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.html

-

The hospital/medical center you choose can make a difference...a critical difference. Choose wisely!

Credentials, Experience, Research

U.S. News & World Report

Best Hospitals: Heart & Heart Surgery

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/heart-and-heart-surgery

-

Quote!

Be a questioning patient. Talk to your doctor and ask questions. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"

- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society

.

WebMD/WebMD Health Exchanges does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Report This| Share this:83 year old woman needing valve surgeryHi: "What are the possibilities to do a valve surgery?" In general-only here, even though heart surgery, or non-surgical catheter-based procedures carries risks (and the possibility of complications, some unforeseen), and is considerably riskier in the older crowd, it is reported that more individuals in the early/mid-to-late 80s, and even well into the 90s, are undergoing procedures, such as heart valve repair or replacement (first time or re-op), thanks to the advancements made in this area, and of course, some highly-skilled doctors. Today, as applicable, some individuals who are deemed high-risk, or even inoperable, may be considered (by some doctors) a candidate for an experimental, non-surgical procedure that replaces a heart valve (ReValving) without removing the native valve, namely percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR), implanting a new aortic bioprosthesis right over the diseased heart valve. Outcomes in general can not be predicted though, and pre-existing medical conditions (cardiac or otherwise), negative factors, and especially comorbidities (medical conditions known to increase the risk of death in addition to the most significant condition that causes an individual's stay in the hospital), as well one's general overall health are taken into consideration. Most important, communicate well with her doctors at ALL times. The very best of luck to your 83-years-young mother down the road of life. Take care, CardioStar* WebMD member (since 8/99) - - Be well-informed Cleveland Clinic Valve Surgery - Past, Present, Future <a rel="nofollow" href="http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/history/future/valve.aspx">http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/history/future/valve.aspx</a> Informational and support site for heart valve replacement patients, and for those who may require this type of surgery sometime soon. SEE: FORUMS <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/index.php">http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/index.php</a> - LEARN ABOUT the Heart WebMD The Heart: (Human Anatomy) Pictures, Definition, Location in the Body and Heart Problems <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart">http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart</a> WebMD Health/The Cleveland Clinic How the Healthy Heart Works Arteries, Chambers, Valves <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/healthy-heart-works">http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/healthy-heart-works</a> Your-Doctor How the Heart Pumps Animated Tutorial <a rel="nofollow" href="http://your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.html">http://your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/heartpump-tutorial.html</a> - The hospital/medical center you choose can make a difference...a critical difference. Choose wisely! Credentials, Experience, Research U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals: Heart & Heart Surgery <a rel="nofollow" href="http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/heart-and-heart-surgery">http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/heart-and-heart-surgery</a> - Quote! Be a questioning patient. Talk to your doctor and ask questions. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!" - Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society . WebMD/WebMD Health Exchanges does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

heartbert replied to CardiostarUSA1's response:

Thank you for your helpful reply. I appreciate it.

Report This| Share this:83 year old woman needing valve surgeryThank you for your helpful reply. I appreciate it.

CardiostarUSA1 replied to heartbert's response:

You're welcome.

Report This| Share this:83 year old woman needing valve surgeryYou're welcome. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> C*

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