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A question for you guys who know so much about dental. I'm BAV with native valve (i.e. no AVR yet). I totally started skipping going to dentist about 10 yrs back because of BAV. My logic was why take a chance at all, i..e. even if there is a minor chance (I know it's statistically significantly...

I really like the response from Northernlights above. It's a different kind of response than what we get most of the time. Generally speaking (not this particular post), while everyone is good intended, kind-hearted and helpful, and checking back with your doctor on any symptom is a great idea...

You mentioned new machine and technician, which is most probably the reason for any change (e.g. good for LvDD and worse for AO). Even with the same technician and machine, there is always slight variation, let alone with a change like this. Did you ask your cardio of this concern, and what did...

I meant, the first and most important thing to do with your BP is to know your baseline, which can be done by taking several readings (e.g. at home under several conditions/times of the day, over a period of time). Once you know what your baseline BP is, although relevent, it's less important to...

Please consider buying (if not already) $50 BP monitor from Costco or Walmart, and start monitoring BP yourself. They are very accurate.

Very thoughtful post. There is a lot of good feedback in there, if we read carefully. If one has BAV, knowing it sooner than later is probably a good thing. It can help you proactively monitor it, and avoid any terrible outcome. But knowing about it too early when there is nothing for you...

Congratulations. Everything looks really good, what else can someone ask for. How long was your LV enlarged for (at 7.1cm or >6.5cm) prior to the surgery? Once again enjoy your new lease on life and continue to do well.

hi cldlhd, thanks for your feedback.. Timing for aortic surgery is very personal especially when both the aorta and valve are below the surgical thresholds, but you could probably also use the same insight from numerous others on this forum who've already gone thru root/ascending surgeries...

hi cldlhd, Could you share what the dimension of the beginning of your arch is, and if surgeon is even entertaining touching that during the surgery? Is it in 3s or 4s? At what point it actually becomes a concern, you know?

1) What's the surgical criteria for aortic arch and descending aorta? - 5.5cm as per newer 2014 guidelines (and 5.0 prior) seems to be the criteria for aortic root and ascending aorta, but it's not clear what arch and descending surgical thresholds are. 2) More importantly, what were your...

hi Anthony, Although it's quite understandable why you may be feeling this cardiac depression, but it's important to note that you are completely fine physically. You were 100% physically fit, if not 110%, after your first surgery. Then you hit a unique situation with the infection, and you...

hi Cliff, Measurement instruments are characterized using 2 terms - Precision and Accuracy (you can find definitions on the web). Echo (ultrasound) instrument may have a 'precision' of 1-2mm (if they are saying so), but it may not be very 'accurate' in the measurement of aorta (but it’s not...

hi Cliff, It seems from your echo results that your valve is working great, no regurgitation or stenosis. Your only issue then seems to be to closely monitor the aortic root (and ascending root) going forward. It doesn't appear your GP or cardiologist were off in their opinion that you didn't...

Well, everyone in medical community did seem to go along together for over a decade. This new guidance is based on data and new understanding in that period. If certain group of surgeons still want to go their way, which they probably once recommended based on certain assumptions (e.g...

hi Mark, I think this new guidance also affects you favorably. You addressed your ascending and have all the peace of mind you need. You still have your native valve with trace regurgitation/calcification. The journey from trace to severe can take decades. You aren't on coumadin and probably...

hi Cliff, There are 2 things you are dealing with: Aortic root of 51mm and your symptoms. The most recent reply from AZ Don (i.e. link to the new 2014 guidelines for surgical intervention of aorta) would probably give you some peace of mind on the former, while you also simultaneously focus on...

Link: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1104327 Among BAV population, aneurysms very common, dissections not so... Some excerpts from the paper, a population study(416 BAV patients): To our knowledge, this study reports for the first time the BAV incidence of aortic dissection...

thanks for posting that link AZ Don. I will review that shortly. Another related question I always wonder about is how much it matters where the aneurysm is. There seems to be a consensus in the medical community to consider it to be the same no matter where the location. But is the size of a...

Hi Mark, Yes, that makes total sense. They fixed what needed addressing i.e. your asscending aorta. I suspect because your aortic valve was functioning so well (inspite of being BAV), the pressure on the aortic root hasn't been bad, so it's in a much better state (and would probably continue...

hi Mark, Congratulation once again on your amazing continued recovery, ~6-days post-op now... Your 5.1cm aneurysm correction was at ascending aorta, correct? Was that the only part of aorta they had to repair/replace, or any other as well (e.g. root)? Did they spare root or also...