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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: March 18, 2018

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Paul Pierce posted an update

7 years ago (February 15, 2019)

I have been to the CC in Cleveland been through all the testing and I have some mild calcification in my femoral artery where the cannulation would be for the heart lung bypass. So I was not recommended for robotic surgery. I either need to have a full sternotomy or... Read more.

👍 Mava Reif reacted to this

Debbie Kelly

Paul, I highly suggest you get a second opinion, and even possibly, a third. Dr. Joseph Lamelas recently moved back to Miami. He was here in Houston for two years, and before that, in Miami. He is considered one of the best in minimum invasive surgery. Several people on this... Read more.

Phyllis Petersen

I'm sorry to hear that you have another disappointment. This process is stressful enough without any added twists and turns. Good luck with finding the team and process that you can feel really confident in so you can move forward.

Ellen Leng

There are surgeons out there who will do a lateral thoracotomy repair without the robotics, or do a partial sternotomy (which I had) without the robotics. The surgeon I used is Luis Castro, however, he's in Northern California. I'm certain that there are great surgeons nearer to you who could... Read more.

Paul Pierce posted an update

7 years ago (December 25, 2018)

Well I am home. I have to decide what I want to do next. I have to do a full stenatomy. But I am going to try to get it done closer to home. I have some time yet but running short. I really did not have a plan B.... Read more.

Rob Sparling

Paul, Cleveland Clinic Weston? May be easiest to get that arranged at a CC facility given the progress you made up to this point with CC Main Campus. Can (did?) Dr.Gillinov or your CC Cardiologist make a recommendation to you? Of the major cities in FL, Weston is nearest to... Read more.

Rob Sparling

Just checked a map.... Weston is 30 mins west of Ft. Lauderdale.

Rob Sparling

Paul, There is also the Heart Hospital search tool from this site which indicates a facility in Orlando. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/hospital/florida-hospital-cardiovascular-institute-valve-microsite

Florida Hospital Heart Valve Surgery Clinic

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/hospital/florida-hospital-cardiovascular-institute-valve-microsite

Learn About The Florida Hospital Heart Valve Surgery Clinic with Dr. Kevin Accola in Orlando, Florida

Rob Sparling

Googling for hospitals with high scores from STS yields Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Sounds like you should do some research to see where the rock stars are among them (and others?). https://www.smh.com/Home/News-Events/Release/smh-cardiac-surgeons-earn-highest-sts-ratings-for-quality-care-outcomes

SMH Cardiac Surgeons Earn Highest STS Ratings for Quality Care, Outcomes

https://www.smh.com/Home/News-Events/Release/smh-cardiac-surgeons-earn-highest-sts-ratings-for-quality-care-outcomes

SARASOTA (Feb. 26, 2018) â€“Â Sarasota Memorial Hospital is one of only three cardiac programs inÂ the United States and Canada that earned the highest 3-Star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for patient care and outcomes in all five of the adult cardiac surgery procedures STS measured in its latest analysis: Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass (CABG) Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) AVR + CABG Isolated Mitral Valve Replacement/Repair (MVRR)...

Rob Sparling

Disclaimer..... this info is just from surfing the web! No warranty implied or otherwise! If it were me, I would get back to Cleveland, see Gillinov, get the full sternotomy and find a way to get a ride home.

Rob Sparling

Paul, I am now a follower of yours so you can see my email address. Let me know how I can help.

Paul Pierce posted an update

7 years ago (December 19, 2018)

Well now what do I do. I traveled 1200 miles and can't have the robotic mitral repair. I have some calcium in my femoral artery that's an additional risk factor for stroke. I can't do the full sternotomy because I didn't allow for the additional healing time. Back to square... Read more.

Rob Sparling

Paul, what did Dr. Gillinov recommend as next steps? He is the one whose opinion/recommendation matters most.

Susan Lynn

Paul - That's a tough one. Is there any way you can adjust your schedule to allow for the sternotomy or mini- sternotomy? You're already there - you're only going to have to return. All the minimally- invasive approaches require femoral cannulation. It's a huge disappointment, but our conditions don't... Read more.

Dan Baltazor

Sorry to hear Paul. That's a long way to travel. Praying the answers to your right path start to appear for you.

Rob Sparling

Paul, the full sternotomy is not something you should worry about. I agree with Willie, it wasnâ€™t that bad. It is also an option that gives the surgeon more leeway, I understand. Give them the options they need, man! Susanâ€™s advice is also very practical. Can you arrange to stay... Read more.

Barbara Wood

When I first came here 2 years ago I was also eager for robotic surgery, but after reading a number of stories on here from patients who had them & had complications & pain after the fact, I changed my thinking. I had a full sternotomy & truthfully it just... Read more.