Edwards Resilia Inspiris Aortic Valve

[pellicle]

Dear Alchemist

I myself find reading stuff like this helpful:

http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/me...ns.4.four.html

if I may quote:

Unhappy am I because this has happened to me?
Not so, but happy am I, though this has happened to me, because I continue free from pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearing the future.

For such a thing as this might have happened to every man; but every man would not have continued free from pain on such an occasion.

... will it prevent thee from having modesty, freedom, and everything else, by the presence of which man's nature obtains all that is its own?

Remember too on every occasion which leads thee to vexation to apply this principle: not that this is a misfortune, but that to bear it nobly is good fortune.

a more "penetrable" read is in a newer translation
https://books.google.com.mx/books?i...page&q=emperor's handbook how unlucky&f=false

 

[Alchemist]

Thank you Pellicle for sharing this.

I will definately revisit the Stoics but for now I've a snippet of Seneca that may resonate with you and hopefully others:

'Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.'

 

[Alchemist]

duplicated post!

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Thank you Pellicle for sharing this.
I will definitely revisit the Stoics but for now I've a snippet of Seneca that may resonate with you and hopefully others:

'Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.'

well worth the visit. Stoic philosophy has been my go to for guidance much of my life. It represents true wisdom and shows just how little we've really changed as humans since the Ancient Greeks.

and that's a good quote too ... many of these are phrased in different cultures and languages, which reflects how central they are to human values irrespective of culture.

Shalom

 

[Agian]

Marcus Aurelius, from The Gladiator movie.

 

[Daniel758]

Congratulations and you are very lucky. I'm so happy for you. I envy you not hearing or feeling your valve. I feel mine all the time 24/7 and it's making me crazy. I just want to be alone. I hate my op and my life now-a-days. Do you have to take any medication?

Hi Somesomewhere,

Very sorry to hear you're having so much trouble.

As an update, I have begun noticing what I believe to be an echo more than a sound and I can feel the beating but it seems to be related to my position. I hear\sense the echo when leaning forward in a chair \sofa or laying flat on my back in bed. If I lean back in a chair or sleep on my side I don't notice it. Maybe try different positions to see if it helps?

I also know that when I 'm looking for it and find it, it can drive me a little crazy- similar to the panic like feeling of having something in your eye that you want to get out. At those times I try to redirect my thinking by exercising, playing guitar, etc. to get past it. YouTube guided meditations have also been very helpful to relax and redirect. (My favorites are from "the honest guys", especially the deep relation and sleep ones. They are all free too.)

As far as meds (which I absolutely hate taking), I still have to take amiodoron and atenolol for Afib that was acting up once in a while. The Afib usually starts when leaning forward or when lying on my back as described above so I avoid those positions and the Afib has almost completely gone away. Doctor says it's probably a healing thing and should go away over time.

I also have to take warfarin for a little while longer but should be off if it eventually.

The goal is to take only a baby aspirin each day.

I wish I could be of more help to you than just to say try to figure out if any positions are better than others and to try to keep busy and redirect your thoughts.

Any day you wake up still kicking is a good day so try to stay as positive as possible. All things pass in time.

If you have any more questions or just want to talk, just let me know.

Hang in there.

Daniel

 

[SomeoneSomewhere]

They can't change my valve to a bigger size because the mortality risk is too great due to the scar tissue. Originally the surgeon could have put a bigger valve in supra-annular position or done an aortic root enlargement to give me a bigger valve - no idea why she didn't. So it will be a matter of waiting until the valve degenerates at which point the mortaility risk of not doing surgery will be greater - of course I'm not so naive as to not realise that the current mortailty risk will be greater then due to my age increasing ! I've got an Edwards Magna Ease valve so the valve leaflets will degenerate at some point so I am having regular echos to watch that. When I have the valve re-do the new surgeon I am under suggested I might need a mechanical valve as that gives a bigger valve area (and more noise). Since you have an Edwards Resilia Inspiris your valve should, in theory, not degenerate, at least not until many years.

It took ages for the cardiologist who I am under to realise that my life was not great after AVR, he probably didn't like to think it. It was a great relief to me when the cardiac surgeon I’m under acknowledged it in black and white in his report last November. I hope your cardiologist will realise you are not where you were pre-surgery, or that you do get back to your level of pre-surgery health and fitness one day !

I feel so sorry for you, my issues have totally been blown away. You have had 3 ops and all the issues you have had to put up with. You must be strong! I hope one day you will be able to do the things you could do before the op. Regarding the scar tissue - have you tried acupuncture? Not everyone believes in the natural method but it's worth giving it a go.

My cardiologist knows I am not the same person as I was before the op. I had more 'life' in me in those days. It drives me crazy to feel these palpitations as I call them just because I am never alone. I had one night during Easter when it was quiet. I woke up and I was like a new person but then it started up again. I have been told by my consultant that he doesn't know why I am feeling my valve and heart and I need to learn to live with it. I have written to Edwards Lifesciences to ask them why. I feel them but I don't hear them as with a mechanical valve you'll hear it. One of the questions I asked was if this valve I have, have been tested on someone slim and fit with no stenosis and a agatson score of 0. Of course I didn't receive a reply. Very disappointed not receiving a reply. At least they could look into it and think, maybe not everyone is ill with stenosis and time we start testing it on fit people with a congenital issue.

 

[ashadds]

They can't change my valve to a bigger size because the mortality risk is too great due to the scar tissue. Originally the surgeon could have put a bigger valve in supra-annular position or done an aortic root enlargement to give me a bigger valve - no idea why she didn't. So it will be a matter of waiting until the valve degenerates at which point the mortaility risk of not doing surgery will be greater - of course I'm not so naive as to not realise that the current mortailty risk will be greater then due to my age increasing ! I've got an Edwards Magna Ease valve so the valve leaflets will degenerate at some point so I am having regular echos to watch that. When I have the valve re-do the new surgeon I am under suggested I might need a mechanical valve as that gives a bigger valve area (and more noise). Since you have an Edwards Resilia Inspiris your valve should, in theory, not degenerate, at least not until many years.

It took ages for the cardiologist who I am under to realise that my life was not great after AVR, he probably didn't like to think it. It was a great relief to me when the cardiac surgeon I’m under acknowledged it in black and white in his report last November. I hope your cardiologist will realise you are not where you were pre-surgery, or that you do get back to your level of pre-surgery health and fitness one day !

arnold schwarzennegar had his third replacement at 70 and he's kicking ass even today

 

[pellicle]

arnold schwarzennegar had his third replacement at 70 and he's kicking ass even today

I was always curious what would have been the outcome if he'd gone a mechanical instead of (I thought) a Ross ...

 

[Agian]

I was always curious what would have been the outcome if he'd gone a mechanical instead of (I thought) a Ross ...

He'd be the Clickenator.

 

[tigerlily]

Does anyone know where I can find out what hospitals or surgeons in the US are currently using the Inspiris Resilia valve. I've heard of people who have received the valve in Dallas, Minneapolis, Cleveland and I think New Jersey but I live in NC and I'm just wondering how I could find a surgeon who perhaps is using this valve who is located closer to me and what hospital they are practicing at. Thanks everyone and I apologize if this question has already been asked somewhere.

 

[dick0236]

Does anyone know where I can find out what hospitals or surgeons in the US are currently using the Inspiris Resilia valve.

Contact Edwards Lifesciences in Calif.......they designed and manufacture that valve and can direct you to surgeons in your area.. BTW, they also built your current valve.

 

[Daniel758]

Does anyone know where I can find out what hospitals or surgeons in the US are currently using the Inspiris Resilia valve. I've heard of people who have received the valve in Dallas, Minneapolis, Cleveland and I think New Jersey but I live in NC and I'm just wondering how I could find a surgeon who perhaps is using this valve who is located closer to me and what hospital they are practicing at. Thanks everyone and I apologize if this question has already been asked somewhere.

If anyone in California is looking for a place that offers these valves, I had mine done at the University of Southern California Keck hospital by Dr Vaughn Starnes.

Very happy with the valve, the hospital and the surgeon.

 

[tigerlily]

Contact Edwards Lifesciences in Calif.......they designed and manufacture that valve and can direct you to surgeons in your area.. BTW, they also built your current valve.

Hi Dick, I did contact them by phone but for some reason they weren't very helpful. I was told to talk to my cardiologist about the valve and if I didn't get anywhere I could call them back. They do have representatives in my area I was told but the lady I talked to seemed a little reluctant to share that information.

 

[Daniel758]

Just an update for anyone interested in the new Inspiris Resilia valve and how it's been for me...

It's been 4 months now since surgery with this valve and things are looking good. What little I did notice of the valve when sitting/laying in different positions has quieted down to almost nothing now. No problem with the valve whatsoever.

Energy levels and stamina are WAY above presurgery levels and no problems exercising, physical labor, etc. (Except diaphragm muscle still gets sore once in a while if I over do things, causing a little short of breath until the soreness goes away)

The one bout of afib I had at around 6 weeks that has cleared up on it's own and my cardio doc cleared me last week for no physical restrictions whatsoever.

Med's wise, I'm off the amiodarone, scheduled to come off the warfarin in 3 weeks and have reduced my Atenolol down to 1/4 of a 25mg tab daily.

Doc wants me to stay on the small dose of Atenolol for a short period after I stop the warfarin (as an afib precaution?).

If things continue to go well, I should be able to stop the Atenolol completely and end up on nothing but a baby aspirin. Fingers crossed.

Good luck to everyone here, this forum has been a great source of information and I thank everyone for their input. It's my go to place when I have questions or concerns and much appreciated.

 

[NotHuman]

Just an update for anyone interested in the new Inspiris Resilia valve and how it's been for me...

It's been 4 months now since surgery with this valve and things are looking good. What little I did notice of the valve when sitting/laying in different positions has quieted down to almost nothing now. No problem with the valve whatsoever.

Energy levels and stamina are WAY above presurgery levels and no problems exercising, physical labor, etc. (Except diaphragm muscle still gets sore once in a while if I over do things, causing a little short of breath until the soreness goes away)

The one bout of afib I had at around 6 weeks that has cleared up on it's own and my cardio doc cleared me last week for no physical restrictions whatsoever.

Med's wise, I'm off the amiodarone, scheduled to come off the warfarin in 3 weeks and have reduced my Atenolol down to 1/4 of a 25mg tab daily.

Doc wants me to stay on the small dose of Atenolol for a short period after I stop the warfarin (as an afib precaution?).

If things continue to go well, I should be able to stop the Atenolol completely and end up on nothing but a baby aspirin. Fingers crossed.

Good luck to everyone here, this forum has been a great source of information and I thank everyone for their input. It's my go to place when I have questions or concerns and much appreciated.

Thanks for the update since this is the valve I have my eye on when I need a new one. Was the surgery done open heart or keyhole/minimally invasive? Did you have afib prior to the surgery?

 

[Daniel758]

Thanks for the update since this is the valve I have my eye on when I need a new one. Was the surgery done open heart or keyhole/minimally invasive? Did you have afib prior to the surgery?

Hello NotHuman,

The surgery was open heart and presurgery I did have daily bouts of afib, most often after eating, and very debilitating.

Currently I have a palpitation or two a couple of days per week, usually lasting less than 5 seconds, and the frequency seems to be slowing. Not a big deal so far.

Meds are 1\2 of a 25mg Atenolol once daily and a baby aspirin. The atenolol will be revisited at my next cardio followup in February. I'd prefer to stop that as well if possible.

​​​Overall, (thankfully) getting stronger each day and I've returned to work rehabbing and flipping houses. I don't do the heavy lifting as a precaution but I do just about everything else with no issues. (REALLY good to be back to work and being productive.)

No more valve noise issues at all either, completely quiet valve, even at night now. I don't feel any beating either, except maybe when exercising or working hard. Position has very little or no effect anymore.

Energy levels are way above preop levels and are getting better and better as time passes. Up to six hours of physical work per day before I call it quits now and it's slowly improving.

Still a little tightness is the sternum\chest area but it's improving.

Occasional shortness of breath that improves with exercise.

​​​​So far, very happy with the valve choice, feeling good, no noise and no blood thinners.

The only concern I have so far with the valve is if it's as durable as they say it is. Only time will tell on that one so we'll see.

Good luck with whatever valve you chose and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

​​​

 

[pellicle]

...Was the surgery done open heart or keyhole/minimally invasive? Did you have afib prior to the surgery?

just so that you're aware, the so called minimally invasive is not anything like the minimally invasive you may be familiar with in such areas as knee and bowel surgery.

The sternum is still cut (for AVR) just not all of it, the heart is still disconnected from circulation and the pulmonary bypass used, it is in essence not significantly different to "traditional". Myself I see it brings little to the table (pun intended) except to allow some surgeons to "have something different" in their lives (think about how repetitive it must get specialising in that)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791314/ [h=3]Results[/h]

Of 307 consecutive MIAVR patients, 151 (49%) were performed during the last 2 years of study with a continued increase in numbers. The 307 MIAVR patients were matched on a 1:1 ratio. In the matched CAVR group, there was no statistically significant difference in
in-hospital mortality [MIAVR, 4/307,(1.3%); 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4%–3.4% vs CAVR, 6/307 (2.0%); 95% CI, 0.8%–4.3%; P = 0.752].
One-year survival rates in the MIAVR and CAVR groups were 94.4% and 94.6%, respectively.
There was no statistically significant difference in midterm survival (P = 0.677; hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.56–1.46).

Median postoperative length of stay was lower in the MIAVR patients by 1 day (P = 0.009).
The mean cumulative bypass time (94.8 vs 91.3 minutes; P = 0.333) and cross-clamp time (74.6 vs 68.4 minutes; P = 0.006) were longer in the MIAVR group; however, this was significant only in the cross-clamp time comparison.​

so not much really

 

[tom in MO]

I believe the minimally invasive procedure gives a smaller scar. That's important to some people. I had a "regular" OHS, but my surgeon was proud of how small my scar was.

 

[nerf_herder]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone in Australia knew of any surgeons or hospitals using this valve. I'm 29 years old and staring down the barrel of my second OHS in less than two years. While I'm aware anticoagulation meds aren't the end of the world my preference is to stay off them. I lead a very active life and I'm just getting started.

Cheers,
Jahn