Myectomy

[annamc]

Hi! I had my first myectomy at the age of 7 and mitral valve replacement, which is a mechanical heart valve. The whole thing is a complete blur and nonexistant in my memory.

What I'm wondering is does the obstruction grow back?
What is done prior to a myectomy in the hospital?
What is done after a myectomy while in the hospital then at when you go home?

I'm also presently with a heart murmer, and read that is present in the severest of cases, is this true? If I am asymptomatic, does that mean that I don't need surgery? Do mechanical heart valves have to be replaced?

???? :?

[Reenie]

Anna, I don't know if you'll have to have the mechanical valve replaced. I have no idea on how long they usually last. As far as your septum growing back, I think the answer is no, but since you had yours so young your septum wasn't fully developed and it might have grown more since it was going to anyway, but not necessarily growing back. Does that make sense? As far as a murmur goes, it doesn't mean that it's one of the most severe cases. It just means that the blood flow is turbulent. There are lots of people in the world who have murmurs and no apparent reason for it. I hope that answers some of your questions.

Reenie

[annamc]

Reenie, thanks for your reply. Hm, septum may have grown some, but not cause obstruction. I feel the procedure was in capable hands at the time it was performed all those years ago. Okay, I get it about the murmer. As far as the before and after surgery procedures, I just wanted to know b/c I'm curious. If you have a link to a web site that explains that, please post it here for me and I will check it out.

Thank-you!

[Reenie]

Anna, I'll have to see what I can find. While you wait, you might want to do a search for myectomy here on the board. There is a lot of info here from people who've had them in the past year. I don't know of any right off hand, though, who have had more than one myectomy. I seem to remember seeing a site that had a cartoon-like video of how they do a myectomy. I'll see if I can find it.

Reenie

[Lisa Salberg]

If you were going to have "regrowth" it would have likely already happened - it can happen normally in your younger years. While some adults have regrowth it is very rare.
Re your valve. I would check who the manufacturer is and do a search for information on them. It may have to be replaced later in life but it may hold up just fine.
Lisa

[annamc]

No regrowth sounds good to me. Now, to research the valve issue. Perhaps, it will hold up though. It's looking good so far. :wink: I think the manufacturer is St. Jude, but I am unsure of that.

8-) Anna

[roxann]

Go to www.heartcenteronline.com and search on Septal Myectomy. It's pretty good information.
Roxann

[annamc]

Thanks all! I'll research more posts on here and possibly compile them with the questions and answers. Phew, that will take me awhile for sure.

:) 8-) :wink: