Can a grafted pulmonary valve be replaced with mechanical valve?

[lcwhitney]

As some of you may remember I had an aortic valve replacement, a repair a an ASD and a pulmonary valve replacement with a repair of a pulmonary artery anurysm. Now it seems that my pulmonary valve is stenotic again with what my doc calls a critically high pressure gradient. It is only 70mmhg. My students think that is passing so why can't we pretend that is a passing number and forget replacing this valve again. No such luck. I am waiting for my bleeding ulcer to heal and then my surgeon in Houston will set a date for my surgery. The point to this long rambling story is to find out if anyone knows if just my pulmonary valve can be replaced without having to replace my entire pulmonary outflow tract again. If this can be done I would like for this replacement to be a mechanical valve. I already take coumadin and to me that would be the only argument against it from my stand point.
All ideas would be appreciated.

Lettitia

 

[hensylee]

Well, good gracious, Lettitia - you have to do it again? I hate to hear this for you. Seems once is quite enough for everybody. I am so sorry. There are some others who have had replacements replaced. Nancy's Joe has had several surgeries and this might be one of them. They'll all be along soon. God bless

 

[Nancy]

Hi Lettitia-

I'm so sorry you are having to face yet another surgery. Sometimes, it feels like it will never end, right? Joe (my husband) has had a large number of surgeries. Somehow, he missed the pulmonary and tricuspid valves. And I sincerely hope he never has to have another surgery. So I can understand how you must be feeling.

I wish I had the answers to your questions, maybe someone else will be along soon, with just the right info.

I just want to tell you to NEVER give up and NEVER give in. Somewhere, in the depths of your being, you will be able to summon the strength to handle this latest situation.

God Bless.

 

[lcwhitney]

Thank You

Thank You

THANK YOU, all moral support and prayers are greatly appreciated. I always have my students and my family and close friends but none of them have actually been through heart surgery.

Thank you again,
Lettitia

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi letitia!
i am so sorry to hear that you have to go through this again.
just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
you must be so disappointed. i feel for you.
please let us know if you need anything.
be well, sylvia

 

[lcwhitney]

Thank you Sylvia, your thoughts and prayers mean a lot only those who have been through this surgery and those closet to them truly understand where we have been physically and mentally. The only thing that I actually need is for my father and brothers to be out of that sandbed and at least accessable to me. Please pray for a true end to the conflict our military is involved in so they will be a little closer to home.

Lettitia