Coronary bypass with 21 year old valves

[Kathleen]

I am wondering if anyone has had a bypass after valve surgery. My 2 St Judes mechanicals are 21 years old now. I did need to have 6 stents implanted 18 months ago when my right coronary artery was occluded during an abalation attempt. Three weeks ago some symptoms I had been having required me to make a trip to the ER then being admitted. During an angiogram they found one of the stents to be 90% blocked and piggy backed it with a new stent. Yesterday I met with my EP docotor who was also in the room during the newest stent placement and he said we now need to discuss doing a bypass since the remaining stents are 30% blocked. I have an appointment with my cardiologist who I have been with for 27 years. Right now for the valves and blockages I am on Plavix, coumadin and aspirin. This would be the 5th open heart surgery for me and needless to say I am quite distressed. I do have some other issues with heart failure and cardiomyopathy, a previous stroke and brain bleed, paralysis of the left diaphragm and an ICD. I think I am about at my limit of being able to pull oneself up and prepare to recoup yet again.
Kathleen

 

[Karlynn]

Kathleen, I don't have anything to tell you about bypass. But I just wanted to tell you that we're here offering as much cyber-support as possible. Don't forget Nancy's signature "Never give in and never give up." Praying for you.

 

[pipersmith]

I want to echo Karlynn's sentiment. I do not have knowledge to help you - but will offer as much in praying ands support as you need. Do not let negative thoughts take over - modern medicine is truly miraculous. We are all betting on that fact!!

{{{{Kathleen}}}}

 

[Phyllis]

I can't add anything to the above sentiments except agreement and we send you our best wishes as you approach this newest problem.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I can understand your anxiety Kathleen.

Having had Bypass Surgery (first), I'd say that is the EASY part. It's all external to the heart. To avoid the effects of the ByPass Machine, you may want to find a surgeon who does "Beating Heart Bypass Surgery". This should be a viable technique for the RCA since it is in front.

Naturally the BIGGEST issue will be 'getting in there' through all of your Scar Tissue and NOT damaging the heart while doing so. For this you will want a Surgeon who has EXTENSIVE experience with re-ops.

Out of curiosity, where did you have your previous surgeries? Have you talked with your previous surgeon(s) about the risks of a 5th Opening of your Chest and their confidence in doing so?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Granbonny]

I am sorry to hear ..that you are facing more surgery.I hope you have a great family support ..that you will need to help you thru..for the after home recoup...You can do it..Like Al , I wonder where you had your last surgeries? living in Mn..was it Mayo?I remember a member from N.C. that flew up there.. I think she is doing fine...Let us hear back from you. bonnie

 

[Kathleen]

I have been with Abbott Northwestern for the entire 27 year saga. The cardiologists and surgeons are wonderful. Our insurance did not cover the Mayo as a preferred providor. I always knew the surgeries would be expensive and the 80/20 would have put us into a deep hole. I ususally do these things in levels and this is the angry level. I do know how it works and will allow myself time to process it. I have a large family and did move to be closer to my daughters and grandgirls and doctor about three years ago.
Kathleen

 

[John & Joann]

Original valve surgery in 1971. In 1999 Joann had 3 bypass and the 2 valves replaced. Not an easy day at the hospital, but you do what you need done.

Go to a MAJOR HOSPITAL that has experience in high risk procedures. This is not an easy procedure, but IT CAN BE DONE. Going off coumadin, scar tissue, and general patient conditions are all concerns.

Joann can not use Heaperin, Lovenox, or other standard clotting drugs. They used refludin (leach spit) soon after the surgery. She was in intensive care for 5 days and in Cleveland Clinic for 15 days.

Let us know if we can be of assistance.

 

[RCB]

Do it soon at a major hospital, with......

Do it soon at a major hospital, with......

A surgeon who does this type of surgery every day. Chance are it is too soon
for bad scar tissue to form from your last surgery. I can't add much to the great advice that John and Joann has given you except the Joann's Surgery was made difficult because of the time of her original surgery and her second.
She had a very rough time and would probably not have survived had she not been at CCF. Plus, she is one of those tough Buckeyes from an even tougher
Lima!
I had two bypasses during my 3rd surgery due to scar tissue that had engulfed the arteries, so it was impossible to dissect around them. If they could do it in 1982, they can do it now! Pick an experienced surgeon and "Git-R-Done!" You will be fine

 

[Debster]

Hey Kathleen! My mom had a triple bypass when she had her mitral valve replaced..she too has chf and will be getting a biventricular pacemaker in about 10 days or so. Like everyone-I would go with experience and high volume hospitals. Good luck and keep us posted-you can do it Deb

 

[Kathleen]

John and Joanne
Thank you very much for your post. There is such comfort in knowing another that had the same situation and it turned out well. One person certainly makes me feel not so isolated. Deb adn RCB thank you also for your input. I am taking a month until the next appointment since the doctors felt I needed some time to recoup.
Thanks again
Kathleen

 

[Dennis S]

Abbott-Northwestern

Abbott-Northwestern

That is where I had my AVR on August 1st, 2005. I thought it was was a wonderful hospital-I couldn't think of anything that they should have done differently. My surgery was done by Dr. Kshettry, and I will always be grateful for his skill, and his kindness in talking to my wife right after surgery.

Mayo deserves their great reputation, but I would be entirely comfortable at Abbott.

 

[Kathleen]

Dennis
Always nice to hear from another that was in the same hospital with the same group of surgeons. The new heart hospital is a beautiful place. The nurses are always nice to. Which cardiologist did you work with. I was in the hospital in August of 2005 but later in the month. Have been following the photos you are posting and they are beautiful. Your mentions of your granddaughter touch my heart since I have 3 grand girls. Luckily we moved here to be close to them so I get to see them every day. Last night I went to my second little ones kindergarden conference which is always fun.
Kathleen

That is where I had my AVR on August 1st, 2005. I thought it was was a wonderful hospital-I couldn't think of anything that they should have done differently. My surgery was done by Dr. Kshettry, and I will always be grateful for his skill, and his kindness in talking to my wife right after surgery.

Mayo deserves their great reputation, but I would be entirely comfortable at Abbott.

 

[Dennis S]

Yes indeed:

Yes indeed:

I think you are the first person I have run into on the board who also used Abbott-Northwest. As to who my cardiologist was: I had a big problem with my cardiologist and fired him in the week prior to surgery.(he was not associated with Abbott-Northwestern) and contacted my surgeon with the help of a few Dr, friends. So, in a way, I didn't have a cardiologist.

I have to ask if you received any care from a nurse named Luba? I often think of her. This is from a brief journal I kept.

"Two days after surgery, at about midnight, I met my new night nurse, Luba. I am telling you the gospel truth that she had come to Abbott-Northwestern from her previous job as a nurse in the Russian army. After surgery you need to work your lungs to avoid pneumonia, as well as to bring them back from some of the damage caused as a result of the surgery, etc. They had given me a small machine that measured how much air I could pull in, and told me to keep using it. I was using it, but it hurt so much to try to breath deep that I wasn’t working it with a lot of diligence.

I tried to convince nurse Luba that I would rather work on it with my wife’s help in the morning. Her words: “So you want to be a negotiator-she is your wife, I am your nurse-get started.” I made my best effort and she got in my face and said “There are 80 year old women on this floor that are doing better than that. Do it again, and this time put some effort into it.” To make a long story short, Luba was the best thing that could have happened to me, and with her system of multiple threats and limited rewards (such as taking me into the shower and cleaning up old tape adhesive from tubes, etc., and general grunge) she made me do what I needed to do to get better."

I would love to see her again now that I am better. Does that name ring a bell with you? Sorry to stray off the topic, but I can't help myself.

 

[Kathleen]

Yes Dennis I have had nurse Luba the non negotiator. I was in th hospital 6 different times averaging a 5 day stay so I did meet her. How can one ever forget her. I enjoy it when I get a nurse I have had before when I get admitted. There is something comforting especially when they tell you they remember you from last time. If I do have her again I will send your kind thoughts and words to her from you. I will be going to Abbott this afternoon for an appointment with my cardiologist. We have been together for 27 years so I never get nervous before and appointment since it is like visiting with a old friend.
Kathleen

 

[CathyK.]

Kathleen - just wanted to pop in and wish you luck at your apt. Do what you need to do and leave the rest in the hands of the big guy!! You truely trust your Cardio, so there you go. Hopefully you will get beyond the stages and can except things and start to plan soon! Thinking of you!

 

[CathyK.]

Just another little bit - I am originally from Minnesota. I miss it! I used to live in a small town called Mazeppa. Just thought you and Dennis would like to know there is another Minnesotian here!

 

[Mary]

. . . And I went to college in Winona; does that count?

Good luck Kathleen, and let us know what the cardio says.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Plus, she is one of those tough Buckeyes from an even tougher
Lima!

Now here's a man who knows of what he speaks !!!!


Kathleen,

AIn my postiiton at this point all I can offer you is support and prayers.
I have not had to have a repeat surgery; however you will get great advice from folks like RCB and Joanne.

God Bless

Ben