Exercise and Tissue Valve

[pellicle]

why there isn't more research done / papers on crypto preserved homografts?

I'll assume you meant cryo not crypto, but IMO the research is well done and there is no real reason to go forward with it further because its established. The reason why there isn't more of it done is the same reason there isn't really more of The Ross done. In short, if everyone wanted it there is a shortage of materials (and properly sized optimal materials) and a shortage of trained practitioners.

CryoLife are doing their bit to fill this need with fresh human tissue materials. But this begs a few "supply" questions (like who and from where (I'm betting ethically sourced from India or China or ...)). This is a bit opaque, but there are "other problems" (alternative view)that need to be solved too.

Thus manufactured prostheses are still an advantage.

Try reading through this little analysis I wrote some time back and swap out in your head "ross" for "homograft".

HTH

 

[Chuck C]

I'll assume you meant cryo not crypto,

You'll want to really steer clear of those crypto valves. Despite the incredible excitement surrounding them, apparently they vanish into nothing within about 6 months.

 

[pellicle]

You'll want to really steer clear of those crypto valves. Despite the incredible excitement surrounding them, apparently they vanish into nothing within about 6 months.

It's a scam I tell you

 

[sarashreen]

My surgeon informed me, after my 3rd surgery, that it took 3 hours to cut through the scar tissue from my previous surgeries. This is before they could start the replacements and repairs I needed. That’s not something to take lightly. I was thankful to be at a top hospital and my surgeon one of the world’s best.

Who was the surgeon?

 

[Gail in Ca]

D Craig Miller, MD. I recently read that he retired from a long career at Stanford Hospital.

 

[manuel_Scotland]

Hi Everybody! I'm back after surgery!


As you know I was really hesitant to have a mechanical valve and I chose a tissue valve instead. The chosen method of operation was performing a David with a slight chance of valve repairing and, if not possible, install the tissue one. My valve was one of a kind, not even a bicupid but a monocuspid but it was working pretty well. Up to the day of operation I was exercising at pretty high level without any issues.

Well, did you know what happen? The surgery team at La Vall d´Hebron Hospital in Barcelona managed to fix my valve. The managed to transform my valve from a tired monocuspid to a fully functional and clean bicuspid with a life expectancy unknown but, I´ve been told, at least twice the life spam of a tissue for someone my age. I still cannot believe it.

This is how it worked:

Monday 8:00 am. I enter the operating theatre.
Monday 5:00 pm. Leaving the theatre and joined the Intensive Care ward.
Monday 7:00 pm. I woke up while the breathing tube was being removed. I didn´t spend any conscious second with that think in
Wednesday 1:00 pm. I left IC and was moved to a normal room.
Thursday 5:00 pm. I was free of any tube, catheters etc. Except for the 2 small cables of the external pacemaker just in case and emergency one was needed. The pacemaker itself was removed on Tuesday.
Friday. Mobilization day, I walked up and down the hospital.
Saturday. First set of stairs and gym class
Sunday. Walk and exercise.
Monday 8:00 am I was released from the hospital. In exactly one week from the start of surgery.

And here I am at home now, 5 days in. No pain, walking around the streets of my neighbourhood and even got a pedalling machine. Trying to remember that something really happens. My resting HR is 64bpm, still a handful higher that pre-op but feeling ridiculously well and in good spirits. I just hate sleeping looking at the ceiling.


I won´t need any medication for the years to come, I took a massive leap of faith in going against the doctors´criteria to have my valve dumped and go for a mechanical but I always knew that I was going to be me the one carrying it. And it played out perfectly. Thank you so much you all for your multiple answers and support. I´m part of this amazing group of people you are now.

 

[Chuck C]

Hi Everybody! I'm back after surgery!


As you know I was really hesitant to have a mechanical valve and I chose a tissue valve instead. The chosen method of operation was performing a David with a slight chance of valve repairing and, if not possible, install the tissue one. My valve was one of a kind, not even a bicupid but a monocuspid but it was working pretty well. Up to the day of operation I was exercising at pretty high level without any issues.

Well, did you know what happen? The surgery team at La Vall d´Hebron Hospital in Barcelona managed to fix my valve. The managed to transform my valve from a tired monocuspid to a fully functional and clean bicuspid with a life expectancy unknown but, I´ve been told, at least twice the life spam of a tissue for someone my age. I still cannot believe it.

This is how it worked:

Monday 8:00 am. I enter the operating theatre.
Monday 5:00 pm. Leaving the theatre and joined the Intensive Care ward.
Monday 7:00 pm. I woke up while the breathing tube was being removed. I didn´t spend any conscious second with that think in
Wednesday 1:00 pm. I left IC and was moved to a normal room.
Thursday 5:00 pm. I was free of any tube, catheters etc. Except for the 2 small cables of the external pacemaker just in case and emergency one was needed. The pacemaker itself was removed on Tuesday.
Friday. Mobilization day, I walked up and down the hospital.
Saturday. First set of stairs and gym class
Sunday. Walk and exercise.
Monday 8:00 am I was released from the hospital. In exactly one week from the start of surgery.

And here I am at home now, 5 days in. No pain, walking around the streets of my neighbourhood and even got a pedalling machine. Trying to remember that something really happens. My resting HR is 64bpm, still a handful higher that pre-op but feeling ridiculously well and in good spirits. I just hate sleeping looking at the ceiling.


I won´t need any medication for the years to come, I took a massive leap of faith in going against the doctors´criteria to have my valve dumped and go for a mechanical but I always knew that I was going to be me the one carrying it. And it played out perfectly. Thank you so much you all for your multiple answers and support. I´m part of this amazing group of people you are now.

Welcome to the other side! Glad to hear that you are feeling great so soon.

At the end of the day, it should be the patient's choice. I'm glad that you were given a choice and that you weighed the pros and cons and made the choice that was right for you.

Please keep us posted as you recover.

 

[dornole]

Awesome, I wish you a durable repair!! Mine has held up for 21 years so far.

 

[pellicle]

And here I am at home now, 5 days in. No pain, walking around the streets of my neighbourhood and even got a pedalling machine. Trying to remember that something really happens. My resting HR is 64bpm, still a handful higher that pre-op but feeling ridiculously well and in good spirits. I just hate sleeping looking at the ceiling.

that's excellent results.

Keep up the walking and that HR of 64 is fantastic.

Best Wishes for an event free recovery and a great post surgical outcome

 

[pellicle]

Mine has held up for 21 years so far.

this is good news, and I was thinking of another member here @cldlhd who had a similar debate and decided on a repair some years back. He and I trade emails now and then.

Hope he's doing well too

 

[manuel_Scotland]

I have created a Youtube channel with the recovery, unfortunatelly is in Spanish, but I may come across interesting to see the machines and how my face changes from one day to the next.

https://youtube.com/@manueljimenezmilian165

 

[Chuck C]

I have created a Youtube channel with the recovery, unfortunatelly is in Spanish, but I may come across interesting to see the machines and how my face changes from one day to the next.

https://youtube.com/@manueljimenezmilian165

That's fantastic! It is good to visually see the changes day to day and get the report.

Now, I just need to brush up on my Spanish.

 

[d333gs]

Well it is almost a given with a tissue valve you’ll have to have another surgery I would look into the inspiris resilia tissue valve. I’m still in cardiac rehab from my surgery but I’m going 3.8 mph on the tread mill for 30 minutes and feel good.

Hi Diver, when did you get your operation?

 

[d333gs]

I have created a Youtube channel with the recovery, unfortunatelly is in Spanish, but I may come across interesting to see the machines and how my face changes from one day to the next.

https://youtube.com/@manueljimenezmilian165

Hi Manuel , I am guessing you did not have a ' full zipper' ?

 

[manuel_Scotland]

Hi Diver, when did you get your operation?

On 27/02/2023. 19 days ago

 

[manuel_Scotland]

Hi Manuel , I am guessing you did not have a ' full zipper' ?

What do you mean? If they broke my sternum? Yep, they did, I got a huge scar to remind me. But I almost cannot feel anything now-

 

[pellicle]

What do you mean? If they broke my sternum?

I think what he's referring to is did you get a partial sternotomy, the so called 'minimally invasive' procedure.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10617004/

Conclusions: Aortic valve replacement can be performed through a partial sternotomy with results comparable to full sternotomy. The partial sternotomy offers a cosmetic benefit, but does not significantly reduce postoperative pain, length of stay, or cost.​

So while people here seem to sooth their anguish about "being cracked open" it seems to make no difference after about week 8.

The thing is however it limits access and the surgeon may end up doing it "properly".

Because the surgeon is focused on the long term outcomes not just turning up to surgery or how it may ruin your bikini modelling career. Mine went into the drink a long time ago...

 

[Mike1959]

or two ...
my most fervent advice is "do not set yourself up for multiple surgeries"

run, do not walk out of any office where they tell you "its no problem"

alternatively you could live a very normal life - without blood thinners and background ticking noise of the valve.

As I have said many times both valves offer great outcomes - (although both have positives and negatives)

I personally do 10 miles a day and have done so for well over 10 years

My first operation lasted over 33 years before needing redoing

 

[hevishot]

Hi Manuel
Not much of a runner however I do treadmill work with no problems. My expertise is in powerlifting. I had my aortic valve replaced with an Edwards tissue valve 18 years ago. My last echo showed only minor calcification and my EF was 65. I am currently the Pennsylvania state bench press record holder in the 163 lb. (74 kg) over 65 age class with a bench press of 226 lbs (102.5kg). I expect to get 30 years out of my valve. The notion that the more you exercise the faster your valve will wear out is a lie. In fact in my case it is just the opposite. Working out lowers your heart rate which translates into less beats per minuite which means your valve will last longer. You must be careful what you read here. You asked about exercise and I am telling you what I do not what you should do.

 

[manuel_Scotland]

I think what he's referring to is did you get a partial sternotomy, the so called 'minimally invasive' procedure.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10617004/

Conclusions: Aortic valve replacement can be performed through a partial sternotomy with results comparable to full sternotomy. The partial sternotomy offers a cosmetic benefit, but does not significantly reduce postoperative pain, length of stay, or cost.​

So while people here seem to sooth their anguish about "being cracked open" it seems to make no difference after about week 8.

The thing is however it limits access and the surgeon may end up doing it "properly".

Because the surgeon is focused on the long term outcomes not just turning up to surgery or how it may ruin your bikini modelling career. Mine went into the drink a long time ago...

Ok, I got it. I not only went for a valve repair, I had a huge 5.5 aneurysm in the ascending aorta that needed repair. They went for the full opening! Quite a "souvenir" they left in my chest.