getting my ducks in a row

[mafandco]

I have been reading on this site for a while and found a tremendous amount of info. My doc told me that I would need surgery within the next 5 years ( I have a weird feeling it will be sooner than later). I have a bicuspid aorta and some dilation of the root. I am trying to be well equiped when I need to be. I am positive I will be going with a tissue valve, actually the equine valve looks interesting. Anyway I reside in Phoenix, az and my doc is from cardiovascular consultants (cvc). Cardioligist I have was rated in the top docs in the mid 2000's Dr. Marc Thames. Seems to be pretty good. But it is the surgeon I worry about. I can not find any info on excellent surgeons in the phoenix area. I sure there is like at the mayo clinic, heart institute etc. Does anyone have any knowledge for this area. I am not looking forward to it but I know waiting to long can cost me my life.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[Freddie]

Hi Mark and welcome to the site. Sorry I can't help you with your question, I live in Canada, but I'm sure others will be around soon to help you out.

 

[Greg a]

Hi Mark and welcome to the site. Sorry I can't help you with your question, I live in Canada, but I'm sure others will be around soon to help you out.

Ditto for me BUT WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY keep us posted as you step along

:biggrin2:​

 

[nngbwh]

Sorry I can't help you with your question. Just want to say Hi and Welcome aboard VR............

 

[hetmarie]

Mark, doing a quick google search for "cardiothoracic surgeon Phoenix AZ" I found this: http://www.healthgrades.com/cardiothoracic-surgery-directory/az-arizona/phoenix
Once you locate a surgeon you think sounds like a good fit then you should research if he/she has published any medical articles and on what subjects. This will give you an indication of how invested your surgeon is in his area of expertise. You can find that information at this website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

My surgeon is the head of the cardiothoracic surgical department and has published many articles and is involved in a lot of research studies.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I've not heard much about surgeons in Phoenix.

You definitely want one who has treated many BAV patients and has the knowledge and skill to recognize and treat possible connective tissue disorders that are often associated with BAV.

The nearest well known surgeons with such experience are at UCLA, The Texas Heart Institute in Houston, and Dr. ..... in Dallas (who did catwoman's husband John).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[neil]

welcome aboard mark............cant help with the surgeons but am sure someone will come along.........

 

[themalteser]

Hi Mark,

Just out of curiosity, but would you mind in telling me whats your dilation measurment of your aortic root ? Are you having surgery cause of your aorta or your valve within the next 5 years ?

 

[mafandco]

doc called it a mild aortic stenosis AVAI is .8cm2 and aortic valve measurements are ava 105cm2 and peak/means gradient 25mmhg. mild aortic dilatation of 4.0cm at the ascending aorta. doc also said the LV is grade 1 (impaired relaxation). Doc was worried about the reguritation the root and the left ventrical inlargement. I worry about the whole thing. But what I have read here so far is .8cm2 is a trigger point and when the dilatation is over 5.0cm is not that good either. My cardioligist was saying to me that if he were a betting man that he would bet it would be 5 years or less. If anyone can give me a inside look at the measurements let me know how worried I should really be. I have a cardioligist appointment June 28 and am trying to put a huge list of questions for him. Ever since he told me about this I have not worked out at all and it shows too. By the way Heather (hetmarie), thanks for that site I found it quite useful