Posted by Dave Funderburg on December 16, 2002 at 11:35:21:
In Reply to: Re: new maze + replacement of mytal valve posted by Gene May on December 16, 2002 at 09:45:26:
Gene,
Until the surgeon can actually see the valve he doesn't know for sure if it can be repaired. In my surgery he had finished everything, taken me off the by pass, and then did an echo to check the valve. They found that it was leaking. They went back in and repaired the problem. 99% of the surgeon would have gone to an artifical valve at that point rather than correct the problem with the initial repair. That was why I spent a total of 7.5 hours on the table. But, the valve is repaired and 17 months later is doing fine. Dr. Burton is on the board list of MAZE surgeons. Good luck as you move ahead with your process.
Dave