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What others have already said. Suggest that you really focus in on the 4.6. In this country a CT scan is the definitive test for aortic aneurysm. If the 4.6 is coming from an echo, it would be worth getting a CT scan to double check. Some of us have gone many years until we reach 5.0. I...

Congratulations and thanks for posting. I am only 1 year post op, but am very interested to see the experience of other tissue valve recipients. Here's hoping it keeps on keeping on!

My surgery at CC was a mini sternotomy for a tissue AVR and an aortic aneurysm repair. I was cleared to fly home (2.5 hr flight) 6 days after surgery. We took the CC supplied car service to the airport and they are very familiar with handling heart patients from the hotel to the airport. My wife...

Best wishes for a good trip with a good outcome. CC has a terrific track record and your odds are good.

I went to Cleveland on a Sunday, had all of my tests on Mon - Wed, and surgery Thurs AM. ICU until Fri afternoon. Step down unit until Mon afternoon. Back to hotel until Wed appt. with PA to get clearance to travel. Flew home Thurs AM. Your schedule may vary from that, but what I experienced was...

If you go to the CC website, they have bios of their surgeons and many have a brief video interview. I used this info to select my surgeon of choice. Like unicusp, I then contacted his office (in Cleveland) and requested that he review the test results that I had forwarded to him and determine...

Good Luck for a successful surgery and a smooth and rapid recovery.

For those who are interested in ongoing post op status: Annual cardio check up today - 15 months post op. Gradients still good, Aorta 3.29. AVA showing 1.89. Not sure if that is testing or where the valve settled in after 1+ year. Will keep an eye on that. Cardiologist apparently looked at the...

It sounds like you will get some additional info and a (more) definitive diagnosis after the scheduled testing and consult. I think that dornole's list is a good one. I would suggest that you also consider: Take someone with you who is familiar with your medical situation to listen to what...

Congrats on the 15 years!!! What is the rate of increase in the ascending aorta? I am no expert, but I believe the general rule of thumb is 5.0 before surgery is indicated. FWIW I was tested at 4.7 in 2003 and it stayed between 4.7 and 4.9 for 18 years. My understanding is that measurement can...

The success rate is very high. If you check the numbers, they should inspire confidence. My experience. Nurse woke me up in ICU and told me they were going to remove the tube. Even heavily medicated I knew what that meant. She took it out. I puked, but they were ready with a tray. They said OK...

I am no expert - just another "graduate" of OHS, but that valve area looks to be well within moderate. Some of us have maintained a satisfactory lifestyle with no issues at all for many years with AVA in the 1.0 - 1.5 range. There are some graphs available which show that the risk of surgery vs...

I went to Cleveland, as did several others on here. See my thread for some info. https://www.valvereplacement.org/threads/cleveland-clinic-questions.888038/

Another vote for an echo. If you don't have a copy of a previous echo test results, then having one now can serve as a baseline. Then you and your Doctors can see if the disease is progressing over time as well as make a determination of which stage your present condition is at : Mild, Moderate...

Here's hoping for a flawless procedure and a great outcome.

Greetings: You and I have some common ground. See my thread for my experience: https://www.valvereplacement.org/threads/cleveland-clinic-questions.888038/ At the one year mark, I have resumed all normal activities and have no heart related ailments. Felt like I was back to normal in about 3...

Much good info from Chuck and Pellicle here. I would add that in my experience (WHICH MAY NOT BE APPICABLE TO YOU), the key metric from the echo, that the Doctors looked at for the valve, was AVA (aortic valve area). When it goes below 1.0, they tend to consider some patients as ready to go to...

Great news from and for all of you. Congrats and Best Wishes for continued success with your valves. Modern Medical Treatment does do wonders!

Care to share your surgeon and valve choice? Best wishes for a successful surgery and a complete and uneventful recovery.(y)

Not sure how I missed this when first posted, but Belated Congratulations! Glad to hear that you are living large with your new valve.