Does Bicuspid Aorta valve get a Tricuspid replacement?

[Cynthia]

Hi, I'm so new here, and my questions are numerous. Thank you for your help thus far!

I meet with doctors 5/1. But for now, I'm wondering if my abnormal bicuspid aorta will get another bicuspid replacement, or if they turn it into a tricuspid aorta.

Does anyone know? I'm just wondering if it'll be a tougher surgery because they're working with an abnormality (and a little worried about that).

THANK YOU!
God bless,
Cynthia

 

[PJmomrunner]

If your aortic valve is replaced with a tissue valve (pig, cow or human) it will be trileaflet. If it is replaced with a mechanical valve, these days the vast majority of them, if not all, are bileaflet.

 

[Cynthia]

If your aortic valve is replaced with a tissue valve (pig, cow or human) it will be trileaflet. If it is replaced with a mechanical valve, these days the vast majority of them, if not all, are bileaflet.

Hi. Thank you. I saw in your "signature" that you're not running now. I love to jog and am getting increasingly active again as my three little ones are getting older (4,6,7), so I can only imagine how hard it must be to not run.

Can you share with me what would be a warning that I shouldn't be working out and getting exercise? I like pushing myself, and feel like it's a waste of my time when I'm not. I like accomplishing more than the time before. I just checked my heart rate today when jogging, and it was 157. But, since I have a BAV and it is leaking, I'm wondering what such a heart rate does to that problem. And, I'm wondering where the "safe zone" is.

Can you offer any help?

thank you so much,
Cynthia

 

[tobagotwo]

The safe zone you refer to would be different for each person. It depends on your age and general physical condition. It also greatly depends on how much leakage there is through your regurgitating valve, whether you're experiencing symptoms, and whether/how fast your left ventricle is enlarging.

If you are at moderate-to-severe or severe insufficiency (regurgitation), you should strongly consider going down to a walk. You should look for strategies to keep the rest of your body in good condition without beating up your heart in the process.

Best wishes,

 

[PJmomrunner]

I'm not running because of the aortic aneurysm, not because of the valve. Until I began taking medication to lower my blood pressure I felt just fine running. My surgeon feels it is not safe for me to run because of the turbulent way the blood forced through my aortic valve hits my fragile aneurysmal aorta. Incidentally, all of the four cardiologists I have consulted have advised that it IS safe for me to run. The surgeon felt strongly enough that they were mistaken to send them a second letter emphasizing that I should not run.

Ditto what Bob said about the "safe zone".

Have you had a CT (computed tomography), MRA (Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Angiography (contrast dye)), or a TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) to measure your aorta? I do not believe any of these is routinely done in the presence of a BAV, but I personally believe at least one should be because of the high correlation between the BAV's and aneurysms and because the TTE ("regular" or transthoracic echo) I had done did not reveal my aneurysm, it was found incidentally when the cardio went looking for a PFO (patent foramen ovale) (which, happily, I do NOT have!).

 

[mbfleth]

Isn't it kind of weird that the one muscle that you would want to strengthen before surgery is the one that the Dr's want you to rest.
I wonder if they tell brain surgery patients not to think too much.

I was born with a bicuspid as well. The number of current flaps will not make much of a difference. Natural individual variations come in the size and shape of the connective tissue that hold the valve in place. As long as the heart itself is not deformed you should not need to worry. A TEE would give a close up of your aortic root's size and shape.

Ask you Dr. about exercise. Tell him/her what you are doing and make sure that it is OK. And, inform your Dr. of your concern!