Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery, this Thursday, March 22, TERRIFIED

[lbennett]

Had arotic valve replaced in 2006 at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Petterson with a Homograft tissue valve which at the time appeared to be the valve of choice and supposed to last 15 to 20 years. At the time I was 59 years old. I also had a single bypass of the major artery and an aortic root replacement and anyerisim repair. After 6 years it is failing and needs to be replaced. I have chosen an On-X mechanical valve as the thought of a 3rd reop just is not something I want to think about.I will participate in the clinical trials for this deivice.

The more I read about the increased mortality of a reop and increased complication rate I become more and more anxious and terrified. The surgeon showed me a national suvivial rate for aortic reop to be in the neighborhood of 90 to 95%. I beleive for first time implants it is 97 to 98%. I have chosen whom I believe to be an outstanding surgeon, Dr.Thomas Martin, Professor of Surgery at Shands Hospital at UF in Gansville. This center does tend to handle the more compicated cases and I believe a reop to be more complicated and hence my reason for Shands. Dr. Martin believes I will also need a root replacement which does complicated the procedure further. I did have a good experience at CC but the travel for me and my family is arduous and felt confident in the FL surgeon. I was very angry and unhappy at the thought of having to go through major heart surgery again in such a short period of time and if I had to do over again if I would have chosen the mechanical valve.

Ok, any reops out their who can share their experiences? Maybe align my fears? Know Dr. Martin and his colleagues at UF?
Thank You
Len Bennett

 

[Greg~]

Len
I'm sorry to hear that you need another surgery, but I'm really glad you've found a surgeon and facility you trust. I think that's the most important part of the journey.
I’m 13 days post op from my AVR and I felt very confident when it came to getting this done. Since I'd never had the surgery before, I wasn't sure if I'd breakdown emotionally at the last minute. But I felt a confidence that I would do just fine because God hadn't brought me this far to end it on the table. And I felt very confident in my doctor and OR staff (who I met personally before the procedure).
I feel you have several very key things going for you:
1) You're only 59 (yes I said only). There were two 80+ year olds in the same unit as me that also had OHS (one was an AVR and the other was a 5 way bypass - they had zero issues)
2) You've gone through a very complicated heart surgery before and came through just fine.
3) You have a very competent and highly skilled team performing the surgery.
4) I'm sure you have a wonderful family what will be supporting you through this and they sure aren't going to accept anything short of perfection from this surgeon. You made it through the first one, you'll darn sure make it through this one - they're counting you.
We will be praying for you daily leading up to and including the surgery and post op recovery. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help

 

[OldManEmu]

Len
Don't panic, it shouldn't be any worse than the first surgery assuming you do not have any additional health issues to those that may have existed in 2005.
It must be very disappointing to have the valve fail in only 6 years, this is something that wouldn't normally be expected in a 59 year old, and even people in their 20 usually get at least this out of a valve. Have the doctors suggested why it has failed so soon?
I had a redo last year and I found it much easier than the original surgery.
I can't help you regarding choice of surgeons and hospitals for the obvious reason I am not in the US.

 

[lbennett]

Thank you Greg and I appreciate your reply. I was 59 at the first operation and 64 now.

 

[lbennett]

Glad to hear your redo went easier than the initial one.
Regards,
Len

 

[TheGymGuy]

Len,

You will do fine. Re-op has slightly higher risks than the first one, but it is just that "slightly higher". My surgery is on March 27th and I am scared as well, there I said it, I am scared. Though, here are some thoughts that calm me down, and will hopefully make you feel better too. OHS gets better and better every year. Little tiny nuances, better equipment, surgeons do more and more surgeries, this list goes on.
My surgeon mentioned that lots of risks of surgeries take into account co-morbidities and pre-existing conditions, if you are doing well otherwise, this surgery should be the same as the first one. Hopefully, you will never need a re-op again.

What I think is working in your favor is that you have already had 1 surgery and know how to deal with things and exactly what to expect post-op. There is a member on here - "Jarno" I believe who had a second OHS recently due to his first valve failing and he mentioned that second OHS was easier on him than the first one. Boy, I sure hope I did not confuse a member name and procedure he had.

Anyway, Len, you will be alright, and once you are done, we will be here to support ya through your recovery.

Good luck on 22nd, will send lots of positive thoughts your way.

 

[escargome]

Len,
Wow, what a bummer that your valve failed so soon. I chose a tissue valve in 2008 and while my surgeon didn't make any promises as to longeivity, I sure hope it lasts for a while. In any case, we are here and we will be rooting for you. On-X seems like a good choice and I hope that once the surgery and recovery are in your past, your valve will serve you faithfully for many years to come.