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that's good to know. i'll ask the necessary questions, but it seems like one less thing to worry about in the grand scheme of things.

That's really cool! Thanks! here's another link I just found on it too http://wiki.noblood.org/Intraoperative_blood_salvage

Wow, thanks for the info! I thought that the lack of blood flow was because of the regurgitation and didn't realize the a-fib also contributes. So she's almost got a double whammy. Seriously, if she had more energy... wow. There'd be no way to keep up.

That really is amazing.... I'd actually like to know what the collection process is. It's amazing what they can do these days.

I'll have to try to get more info about the a-fib. The only thing I can think of right now is that hers doesn't come and go, it's constant and they've always said going in and out and in and out of rhythm vs always being out. For my own knowledge, how could not being in a-fib give her more...

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. The challenge (assuming we're a match) would be coming from far away and the timing it can all take. I think once we get appointments set up, I'll be making some phone calls to talk to them and see what, if anything, we should/could do ahead of time. So...

Thanks for the tips! I didn't know they had online chats with nurses from there, I will definitely look into it. Those 3 doctors you mentioned were among the top on my list, along with Lytle so I know I'm on the right track at least.... just have to wait and see what we get to do as far as...

Yeah I've seen some pictures of people in the ICU right out of surgery and almost fell off my chair.... When I was young, she had pneumonia and my dad took me into her hospital room. She had an O2 mask on and I said "that's not my mommy" and turned around and walked out. This time I just have to...

You know I honestly don't. I believe my mom is O+ (I think she's a universal donor but can't donate because of the meds she's on) and I THINK my dad was O+ and if I remember my highschool biology, that means I have to be O+ but I know there's also other factors taken into account to determine...

Hmmm ok that's interesting... and wasn't something I was aware was a risk with this surgery since I was thinking it was "just" go in, take out bad valve, put in shiny new valve, check for working of valve and move on. Didn't know that might mess with electrical signals. Not that I'm going to...

Ok thanks. I think what we might do is see when her appointment is and then I can call Dr. Hobbs' office out there and explain these additional things we want to talk about/explore. Since she will have a cath when she gets out there anyway, perhaps they can do a two for one then. She doesn't...

The concern the local doctors have always had is that a regular irregular beat is better than getting it situated, having it go out again, and back and forth, etc. My understanding was that the maze was done WITH OHS and generally not on its own (from reading on the CC) site and it sounded like...

Good to know, thanks for the info. I think once we get the appointments set up, I'll call the nurse or office staff to see what's what. I've never given blood before (terrified of needles, getting blood for blood work is a "process" because it seems to take so long to fill a tiny vial, getting...

Thanks Lyn. I'll have to do some more reading up on the valves so when we do get out there, at least I'll have some education behind me. At this point there's just so many questions my head is spinning. I have started a section of a notebook that I found helpful when my dad got sick (Pancreatic...

Hi all, My mom is most likely going to have her MV replaced at the Cleveland Clinic sometime fairly soon. Wondering if people bank their blood (or matching family member's blood) before surgery? The interesting twist is that we live 8 hours away in Northeast PA so I'm not evern sure how/if that...

Ok so they actually do something to the pig valve before they implant it in a person? I know with cow valves, it's really pericardial tissue where they make the valve leaflets, but it's not really the cow's valve.... perhaps this is the same thing? Is there fear of rejection with a porcine valve...

It might be my misunderstanding of what I have read in a few places but I thought ideally, pressure on both sides of the valve should be roughly the same. A gradient of 5-10mmHg was listed as moderate stenosis and above 10mmHg was considered severe. Not quite sure what you mean about if she...

Thanks for the info! She initially thought she wanted a pig valve because of the coumadin and clicking but when 2 doctors said the coumadin would stay, she doesn't want to take the chance of a pig valve wearing out (her family tends to live into their 90s) plus with both doctors saying...

Hi everyone, I've been reading a lot on here and it's a very helpful site. My mom is 72 and as a kid, had rheumatic fever and we all know what that can do. She's been on coumadin since 1983 with very steady levels and other than easier bruising, no issues (monitored monthly via bloodwork in...

thanks for the welcome. i will be posting soon as i have a ton of questions since my mom was recently told that they think it's time (for real this time) that her MV gets replaced. trying to get my head around it so i can post questions in a succinct manner.