Father needs valve replacement - update

[Forky]

Hi all,

Thanks again for all you replies to my original post. Most people asked for an update so here it goes.

We met with the surgeon today, again Dr. Liao from the U of Minnesota. My parents and I came off with a very good feeling from the meeting. He addressed all of our concerns and made his answers easy to understand. He told us about what to expect before, during, and after. He told us the risks of surgery and the risks associated with my father's condition as he saw it.

We are scheduled for surgery October 26th. We have a family outing the middle of the month and he did not see a problem with putting off the surgery until after that. He will be going in earlier the week of the surgery for additional tests in preparation. He will also be having an esophogeal something or other which someone asked about in the earlier post.

We are going with a tissue valve which was his suggestion and was the one my father was favoring. The Cumodin (sp?) provided some issues that he thought my dad should try to avoid given his health history and my dad was in full agreement. He also told us the tissue valve may also not last as long for people on dialysis but still recommended it versus the mechanical - again relating it to my dad's health history.

So...wish us luck and thanks again for all of your wisdom.

I will try to post after the surgery to let you know how it went.

Chad

 

[Karlynn]

Chad, I put your Dad's surgery date on the calendar. Please keep us posted. Let him know that he is in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

There are several types of Tissue Valves, including:

1 - Standard Procine Valve (straight from a pig) which has the LOWEST durability (tends to wear out after 8 to 12 years)

2 - various types of "improved Porcine" valves (stentless, treated, etc.) I don't know much about these.

3 - Bovine Pericardial made from the Pericardium of a Cow's heart. Good durability (for a tissue valve) approaching 20 years in older patients.

4 - Treated Bovine Pericardial Valve (some sort of treatment to slow the calcification process and increase durability) The hope is to go beyond 20 years durability (in patients over age 60)

Note that ALL Tissue Valves deteriorate more rapidly in younger (<<60 yrs) patients.

Are you refering to a TEE (TransEsophageal Echocardiogram)?
Or an Upper Endoscopy to exaimine the espohagus for lesions / damage from Acid Reflux?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Forky]

Al,

Referring to the TEE that I believe you mentioned in an earlier post. The surgeon did mention a cow valve as an option. To be very truthful, we are letting the surgoen decide which valve fits our situation best.. I am not sure which one he is getting other than it will not be a mecha nical valve.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[Mary]

Chad,
I've been on vacation (Northern Wisconsin--spent last Sunday and Monday in your fair city) but want to welcome you to the Forum.
I'm glad your dad has a surgery date that accomodates your mid-month outing.
Please keep us informed on his upcoming surgery, and we'll hope for an uneventful recovery.
Mary

 

[Kathleen]

Chad
Glad to hear the appointment went well. Did your father have his kidney issues addressed at the U? If he did he must feel very comfotable with the hospital as well as you and the rest of the family. The U has an excellent reputation and they would not attempt a surgery they did not feel they are qualified to undertake. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns before the surgery date.
Kathleen

 

[Kathleen]

Mary
Would have been fun to meet up with you when you were here. If you do come back this way let me know.
Kathleen

Chad,

I've been on vacation (Northern Wisconsin--spent last Sunday and Monday in your fair city) but want to welcome you to the Forum.
I'm glad your dad has a surgery date that accomodates your mid-month outing.
Please keep us informed on his upcoming surgery, and we'll hope for an uneventful recovery.
Mary

 

[Phyllis]

Glad your Dad has a date, Chad and all are comfortable with the decisions. Sending best wishes your way.

 

[Forky]

Yes we are very comfortable with the U. We did get all of our kidney questions answered and this was where he had his transplant. The U has always been a leader in the kidney transplant area.

The surgeon was very comfortable with my dad's condition. He was actually impressed with my dad's minor symptoms in realtion to the severity of his valve function. He asl has performed a lot of valve replacements on people with kidney failurs (probably because so many people go to the U for theie kidney program). In fact, please do not quote me on this, but think he said something like 3 in 10 of the valve replacements her performs are on people with transplants or who are on dialysis.

Thanks again to all your posts.

Chad

 

[belajob]

Hi- I have recently learned of this site and it is reassuring to be able to connect with others who have had similiar situations. I wish your dad the best- his surgery is on my birthday so I will certainly remember him. I had to make decisions regarding which vavle and frankly speaking feel I was somewhat short changed with the information provided. I was not an established patient with either the cardiologist or heart surgeon but it is now a done deed- it's not like a pair of shoes you can take back because you decided against the color. ha Good luck

Hi all,

Thanks again for all you replies to my original post. Most people asked for an update so here it goes.

We met with the surgeon today, again Dr. Liao from the U of Minnesota. My parents and I came off with a very good feeling from the meeting. He addressed all of our concerns and made his answers easy to understand. He told us about what to expect before, during, and after. He told us the risks of surgery and the risks associated with my father's condition as he saw it.

We are scheduled for surgery October 26th. We have a family outing the middle of the month and he did not see a problem with putting off the surgery until after that. He will be going in earlier the week of the surgery for additional tests in preparation. He will also be having an esophogeal something or other which someone asked about in the earlier post.

We are going with a tissue valve which was his suggestion and was the one my father was favoring. The Cumodin (sp?) provided some issues that he thought my dad should try to avoid given his health history and my dad was in full agreement. He also told us the tissue valve may also not last as long for people on dialysis but still recommended it versus the mechanical - again relating it to my dad's health history.

So...wish us luck and thanks again for all of your wisdom.

I will try to post after the surgery to let you know how it went.

Chad