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Great to hear that all worked out. What valve did you end up getting?

Sounds familiar. I had many echo's, CT's, TEE's, and they all said bicuspid aortic valve. Not until surgery when the surgeon got in there, did he discover it was unicuspid. You may have severe calcification. Further tests and evaluation needed. Good luck!

Very sorry to hear. And surprised as my sister in law is from Denmark (near Copenhagen) and I've heard nothing but great things about the healthcare system there. I visited in September. Nice place. I would think that an Echo and a CT scan would show in great detail, the valve and area. Maybe...

I have an On-X since Feb 2021. My INR target range is 2.0 - 3.0. Take a 81mg aspirin daily.

In a very brief summary (I can't write like Pellicle, ha). Assume that the two valves are very similar. Assume that you will maintain the same INR with either one. Choose a great surgeon with extensive experience with installing both valves. Let him/her make the final choice during surgery that...

Thanks for the insight and feedback. I wore a chest strap today on the elliptical and while doing weights. Compared those readings to my "dumb" watch. Noted significant differences. The watch seemed too high (150's) and the strap too low (100). And I was on a variable hillclimb for 45 minutes...

Hello - Thought I'd share some interesting info on high HR during exercise and get some feedback/comments. For background, I had an On-X aortic valve installed back in Feb 2021, and a Dacron graft to replace ascending aorta back in 2013. I'm curious how dangerous (or even if dangerous) high HR...

Congrats. Welcome back. Did you get a mini or full sternotomy? Keep up with the breathing exercises and walking. And rest! Every day gets better.

"How long after the operations were you guys able to have a beer? (Mechanical valve of course) just curious." I'm an On-X owner and over 21 (by a bit). About 2 weeks after surgery. But it was some good red wine to celebrate.

I had a mini sternotomy back in 2013, and a full sternotomy last year. The full had quicker recovery and much less pain. I had bad upper back pain for months and pericardial effusion after the mini. Agreed on the mechanical choice over the other options. For pain, try to get morphine instead...

Great to hear. Just so you know, Cleveland is very particular about testing. They didn't accept my test results from a large hospital in Pittsburgh. When there you'll see why. The testing is very thorough. For example, the cardiac echo took about 45 minutes vs 15 minutes at a local hospital...

Thanks. Understood. I find the forum to be helpful and quick. Much better than the other (Adam) one. I have not interpreted any advice as bullying. Just straight forward no BS advice. Pellicle clearly just wants to help. He surely puts in alot of time and is not getting paid! I appreciated the...

My schedule was almost identical. I stayed at the Marriott across the street. Walking distance to all facilities on the campus. Free parking too. Discounted rates.

I'm confused by your response. If you trust no one on this forum, why are you here and why are you a Supporter?

No not at all. I observe and agree that the US has Healthcare coverage issues. I worked a career in the Pharma industry and witnessed first hand the drug pricing in US and other Countries. It's all about profits.

Exactly. Roche has agreements to only provide thru services. This helps assure high prices. Coagsense has no such agreements.

I used Cleveland (twice). Chose my surgeon first, then asked for next available openings in his schedule. Luckily he had a fairly quick opening, which I needed due to urgency. It was about 2 weeks out. I would ask what surgeon is being assigned and do some research of them to see if you are...

I don't believe that one can legally get the Roche test strips in the US, and they are more expensive than Coaguchek. I still have a Roche meter from Acelis and use the weekly reporting service. They only charge the patient and/or insurance if you order supplies from them. I stopped ordering...

Speaking of Warfarin and potential patient sensitivity. I chose mechanical and we moved forward. But, I don't recall being tested prior to surgery, to see if I'd have issues with Warfarin. Could the test have been in one of the many blood tests? What happens after surgical implantation of a...

Here are examples of a bike ride last week in Pennsylvania.