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Thank you and God bless you all!

rich01: Allergic reaction to contrast (which is the dye used) initiated it. Combine that with a blocked artery and aortic stenosis created a ”perfect storm“, as I was told. Fortunately a cardio thoracic surgeon is always kept as a backup in the hospital that proved pivotal.

So now since I am able to function lilttle bit more here is the unexpected journey in brief: I went for my cardiac catheter test on July 10 which takes about 50 minutes. Very early in the test my blood pressure dropped and I went into cardiac arrest. I was practically gone for a few minutes...

Got new valve installed and it is working fine and I am still in the hospital. Came here for the catheter test but went into cardiac arrest and they found one of the arteries blocked 85% so now I need to be rest here and wait for the recovery hopefully it will be all fine and I got Onx alve...

Thank you so much. Your experience is enlightening to all of us.

Actually I have not completely committed to anything yet since I won't meet the surgeon till July 20. Your points are well taken but one has to also realize that many times doctors propose what they have been doing for awhile instead of what could be more sensible between the mechanical/tissue...

No, I did the aortic valve replaced labelled as "isolated AVR".

So I did the STS risk score calculation based on what I so far know including blood levels etc. (including first cardio surgery) and left the items blank that I did not know. Attached is the result. The thing that comes out me at is the morbidity and mortality at almost 15%. Should I be worried...

I always admire a good and thoughtful analysis. Just for the record, a good read meant “entertaining“ not necessarily factually up-to-date.

While I wait for my cardiac catheter test on July 10, I came across a good read relating to quality of life after AVR. Although the papers are from 1992 they are good read, IMO.

pellicle: Your points are very well taken. A proven track record over the years is a powerful evidence of a product. And St. Jude thrives from that. One of the things I was made aware of was that On-X tends to be not prone to coagulation due to a specific coating. Hence they advertise lower INR...

So presently this where I stand: 1. Mechanical valve. 2. Preferably On-X due its being second generation and somewhat lenient on INR. 3. If available, keyhole surgical procedure.

So I can very much see myself in the camp of mechanical valves recipients. Now question is: Is there a particular kind or brand that I should be asking for when meeting the surgeon? I hear excellent applause for St. Jude. What about carbon fiber ones? Please share your thoughts/experiences.

Your rationale is very valid. That’s why, I prefer mechanical as well. There are only following elements that are making me hesitant: 1. Recovery time/process but pellicle has informed me that it is the same regardless. 2. Dependence on warfarin/Coumadin. My advising cardiologist discouraged...

Good to hear that. Mechanical valve is my preference as well. As someone who is very new to the current health predicament, it is frightening and overwhelming yet optimism is there with treatments. I am sure you all were at this point before. Can’t thank you all enough!

Will add these in my list of questions, pellicle. Thank you.

They don’t have any experience at all. Their perspective was simply along the path of my current scenario of being with myself. But you make some excellent points. I will inquire about Resillia with the surgeon. Also, if they find arteries blocked on July 10 then open heart surgery is the only...

I was discussing my AVR path forward with a group of friends today. One option that made some sense was having a TVR now and when the valve goes bad in 10 years (or so) getting it replaced with mechanical one which probably will last a lifetime. My friends were simply suggesting that path for...

Good points. pellicle: Here is my Lp(a) level. The way I see it, the number should be equal to or less than 29 whereas mine is slightly elevated at 31. Some websites say that the normal is up to 30. Please share your thoughts.

I was reading a research paper relating to biological and mechanical valves. It has put me in a state of dilemma now. According to the paper’s schematics, I should get a tissue valve not mechanical valve. It highlights some freaky things about mechanical valve. I am attaching three graphs here...