Treatment Considerations
Treatment Considerations
- What alternatives are there to open heart surgery andare they available to me?
- What will happen if I don’t receive any treatment?
- Can I have my treatment with smaller incisions or via transcatheter?
- What are the benefits and risks of this treatment versus medication therapy?
- Am I a good candidate for less invasive treatment approaches for mitral valve stenosis, such as a Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI) or Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)? Can you explain why not?
- How many MIS procedures does this hospital carry out? How does it compare to other hospitals?
- What’s the difference between a mechanical valve, tissue valve and a repair?
- What is the pros and cons for each type of valve device? How long will my valve last?
- What will happen in the operating room?
- How long do you expect the treatment to last?
- Are there things I should do to prepare for my treatment?
- How large will my incision(s) be?
Post Treatment Reassurance
- What is it like in the intensive care unit?
- How much pain should I expect and how will it be managed?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- How much help will I need after discharge?
- Will I be on medications after the treatment?
- When will I start cardiac rehab and how much time will it require?
- When should I start thinking about a second procedure and what symptoms should I look out for if there is a deterioration in my valve?
- What information do I need to share with my dentist or any other clinician in the future?
- I need transport to the hospital/ home from the hospital – how can I arrange this?