Azzurri
Member
Thought I would post about my recent AVR experience since I have derived so much support and comfort from lurking on this site for the last three years. I'm a 47 year old male who was diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation and a dilated aorta three years ago. I had my AVR (On-x) and aortic graft procedure done at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago on March 18. The surgery itself went well but by the fourth day after surgery I started to notice that it was getting more difficult to walk rather than easier. They did an echo on me and noticed some fluid build up around my heart (pericardial effusion). The size of the effusion was described as small to moderate and they initially took a conservative approach hoping that the effusion would just get reabsorbed by the body. I had an echo done on the next two consecutive days which showed no changes and they were considering sending me home but it just didn't feel right when I tried to walk and my heart was racing in the low 100s even while at rest. On the sixth or seventh day, I fainted in the bathroom while shaving. Basically just fell forward into the sink. Not sure how long I was out. Thereafter, they decided that we needed to drain the pericardial effusion which, I was told, could be done by using a long needle (amnio) or by reopening me (gulp!). After much discussion, it was determined that the amnio was too risky and they would have to reopen my sternum to do a pericardial "washout". As you might imagine, I was pretty bummed out at that news.
A couple hours before that second surgery, I went into afib and my heart was racing out of control (with rate over 150) with my blood pressure plumeting downward. That was a scary morning. They brought me into the operating room where I was cardioverted and then the second open heart surgery was performed. As I recovered from the second surgery, I went into afib again. They started an Amiodorone drip which severely irritated my arms but ultimately was effective in getting me back in rhythm (along with Metoprolol).
After sixteen days, I was finally discharged and have been home slowly making progress. I'm walking a little more each day and I'm being slowly weaned off the Amiodorone.
Obviously, I was disappointed that things did not go smoothly but I kept thinking of others on this site (Steve) who went through significant complications and came out just fine in the long run. And for everyone of us who goes through complications, there are just as many who have a bump-free experience. In fact, on my recovery floor was a 93 year old man who had just had AVR and he was doing laps around the hall at a much faster pace than me!
So thanks to everyone who contributes regularly to this site. I think your contributions are invaluable to those facing AVR and other issues.
A couple hours before that second surgery, I went into afib and my heart was racing out of control (with rate over 150) with my blood pressure plumeting downward. That was a scary morning. They brought me into the operating room where I was cardioverted and then the second open heart surgery was performed. As I recovered from the second surgery, I went into afib again. They started an Amiodorone drip which severely irritated my arms but ultimately was effective in getting me back in rhythm (along with Metoprolol).
After sixteen days, I was finally discharged and have been home slowly making progress. I'm walking a little more each day and I'm being slowly weaned off the Amiodorone.
Obviously, I was disappointed that things did not go smoothly but I kept thinking of others on this site (Steve) who went through significant complications and came out just fine in the long run. And for everyone of us who goes through complications, there are just as many who have a bump-free experience. In fact, on my recovery floor was a 93 year old man who had just had AVR and he was doing laps around the hall at a much faster pace than me!
So thanks to everyone who contributes regularly to this site. I think your contributions are invaluable to those facing AVR and other issues.
