My father had a mitral valve replaced 30 years ago and today underwent an angiogram to see what’s going on with his heart. His mitral valve is still working well and his arteries are clear however he has been told that he has another badly leaking valve and will not be offered surgery to correct it as his heart is too weak. He is already taking high doses of diuretics to help alleviate the buildup of fluids around his lungs and abdomen. As surgery has been ruled out what other treatments could be offered to help his condition?

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My father had a mitral valve replaced 30 years ago and today underwent an angiogram to see what’s going on with his heart. His mitral valve is still working well and his arteries are clear however he has been told that he has another badly leaking valve and will not be offered surgery to correct it as his heart is too weak. He is already taking high doses of diuretics to help alleviate the buildup of fluids around his lungs and abdomen. As surgery has been ruled out what other treatments could be offered to help his condition?

Answered by Dr. Brian Jaski

A leaky heart valve that regulates the direction of the flow in or out of the left ventricle (atrial or aortic) can by itself lead the heart to weaken. The heart is working “overtime”. If the hearts impaired condition is too advanced it is possible that the surgery to repair or replace would be too risky.

In those cases medications including diuretics and others can still help. Other factors including your father’s age at this time may also be relevant.

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