Complications from Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery from MIF519

[MIF519]

To all:
This is to update all on my recovery to date, and to let you know of some serious complications that I encountered. My previous post indicated that I had done well in the hospital after my initial valve replacement; I spent five days in the hospital and then was released. I did fine during the nine days following discharge, but at the normal post operative surgical visit, it was discovered that I had significant pericaridal effusion which required surgical intervention. I was hospitalized immediately, and the procedure was conducted the following morning. Unfortunately, I didn't recover as quickly as expected, with significant problems with breathing. On Monday, March 31, a CAT scan indicated that I had pulmonary embulai and I was immediately treated with Heparin and later Coumadin to treat the blood clots. I was released from the hospital the second time after 12 days. I'm moving slow and am tired, but otherwise I seem to be on the mend, and am continuing to improve from the initial surgery.

Is it unusual to have two significant complications from this surgery, considering that the intial surgery went well and I didn't have any symptons? Does anyone have any opinions as to why the pulmonary embulai would occur?

Regards Marc

 

[Rich]

Marc,
I can't answer that because I had no complications of any kind.
I just want to say I'm glad to hear you are on the road to recovery.
Sorry about the potholes in that road.
Rich

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear about the bumps in the road, but glad you are on the mend. I don't know about pulmonary embulai so can't help you with that. I did have the pericaridal effusion though. Best wishes for a smooth recovery from here on.

 

[Mary]

After any surgery, you are more apt to throw a clot to the lungs. That's why they make you wear the compression hose after replacement. I would guess that the procedure for the pericardial effusion was the source of the emboli.
Regarding the pericardial effusion, I have come to believe, after reading hundreds of post-op posts on VR, that it is a fairly common, but frequently overlooked, complication of valve replacement.
What were your symptoms when it was diagnosed?I would guess sharp pain in your back and upon inhalation?
You encountered one of those gigantic bumps in recovery that we all fear.
Take it easy and give yourself plenty of time to recover.[/SIZE]

 

[ctyguy]

I also had a bout of Pericardial Effusion but didn't need any intervention. That was about 3 weeks post-op. A couple days on Advil and the symptoms subsided, my body absorbed the excess fluids. Things were going well until today, had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with Pleurisy which is similar but its the lining around the lungs this time. Hurts like heck ! Im on antibiotics due to an elevated white blood cell count and back on the Vicodin as well. Hopefully within a few days this will pass as well.

Bottom line is some of us hit bumps in the road while others have smooth sailing. Hopefully now your done with the bumps and into the smooth sailing mode.

 

[Ross]

What kind of valve did you get? Mechanical?

 

[Susan BAV]

...Regarding the pericardial effusion, I have come to believe, after reading hundreds of post-op posts on VR, that it is a fairly common, but frequently overlooked, complication of valve replacement.
What were your symptoms when it was diagnosed?I would guess sharp pain in your back and upon inhalation?...

Interesting, Mary!

Marc, I wish I knew something to tell you. My post-op complication was temporary A-fib/A-flutter and that can throw a clot but happily didn't. But at least one post-op complication with valve replacement does not appear to be uncommon from the members accounts posted here. And perhaps as Mary suggested, your first issue caused your second issue?

Hoping all goes well for you from here on out. Take care .