Hello all, new here

[Riversiderob]

Hi Randy Im Robert Im new here about one week now. Im having a left and right haert cath and tee this friday, then I hope i get to see a surgen to get my mital valve repaired or replaced but welcome to vr.com
Robert

 

[Snoopy]

Randy,

Understand your "anxiousness" to get it done and get better. I was/am the same way. Eager, the word I like to use because it doesn't have the same negative connotation that "anxious" does, to have the surgery, anxious to get through all the preliminary processes. Best of luck to you!

Another Randy

 

[ctyguy]

Randy...welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've done well preparing for your surgery. Glad to hear you have a surgeon your happy with and a date. We are all here to answer questions and give your all the support you need.

Best of luck !

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Randy,

Have you read any of the information in the Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Connective Tissue Disorder Forum?

The reason I ask is that Connective Tissue Disorders have a high correlation with BAV. Connective Tissue Disorders also have a high correlation with Aortic Aneurisms which are usually checked for with a Chest CT or MRI.

Did your surgeon order a Chest CT or MRI to check for aneurisms?
If not, I would sure want one of those tests if I had BAV. IF you have a connective tissue disorder and it is not examined / treated during your Valve Replacement Surgery, there is a risk of developing an aneurism at a later date which will require *another* open chest surgery.

My recommendation: Get Checked for aneurisms and be sure your surgeon knows how to examine the tissue of your aorta for signs of connective tissue disorders.

I would also want to know how much Experience your surgeon has doing surgery of the Aorta (NOT just the Aortic Valve). Surgery of the Aorta is another step up the ladder of complexity in Thoracic Surgery which is beyond the level of most Bypass and First Time Valve Replacement Surgeons.

Chicago has one of the Top Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Dr. McCarthy at Northwestern. He was recruited from The Cleveland Clinic which is the #1 rated Heart Hospital.

IF you require surgery of the Aorta, you will also want to be sure that the Recovery Nurses know what to watch for following surgery.

These kinds of Surgeons and Nurses are usually found at the Major Heart Hospitals and not in the typical "Local" Hospital which probably does mostly ByPass Surgery and some (first time Low Risk) Valve Replacement Surgery.

Bottom Line: Experience Counts. Make sure it is the right kind.

Second Issue:

Have you read the information in the 'stickys' at the top of the Valve Selection Forum?

Did your surgeon explain that Tissue Valves have a finite lifetime and will require replacement, typically less than 20 years (sometimes 10 years) in patients younger than 60 years of age at the time of replacement. Younger patients 'wear out' tissue valves faster than older patients. The downside for Mechanical Valves is that Anti-Coagulation Medication is needed for the rest of your life. See the Anti-Coagulation Forum for tips on living with and on anti-coagulation.

The information in the Valve Selection Forum covers the trade-offs between Mechanical and Tissue Valves. There are positive and negative attributes to ALL artificial valves. It is important to make an Informed Decision and understand the Benefits and Risks associated with each option.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[palmaceae]

Welcome Randy,

Have you read any of the information in the Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Connective Tissue Disorder Forum?

The reason I ask is that Connective Tissue Disorders have a high correlation with BAV. Connective Tissue Disorders also have a high correlation with Aortic Aneurisms which are usually checked for with a Chest CT or MRI.

Did your surgeon order a Chest CT or MRI to check for aneurisms?
If not, I would sure want one of those tests if I had BAV. IF you have a connective tissue disorder and it is not examined / treated during your Valve Replacement Surgery, there is a risk of developing an aneurism at a later date which will require *another* open chest surgery.

My recommendation: Get Checked for aneurisms and be sure your surgeon knows how to examine the tissue of your aorta for signs of connective tissue disorders.

I would also want to know how much Experience your surgeon has doing surgery of the Aorta (NOT just the Aortic Valve). Surgery of the Aorta is another step up the ladder of complexity in Thoracic Surgery which is beyond the level of most Bypass and First Time Valve Replacement Surgeons.

Chicago has one of the Top Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Dr. McCarthy at Northwestern. He was recruited from The Cleveland Clinic which is the #1 rated Heart Hospital.

IF you require surgery of the Aorta, you will also want to be sure that the Recovery Nurses know what to watch for following surgery.

These kinds of Surgeons and Nurses are usually found at the Major Heart Hospitals and not in the typical "Local" Hospital which probably does mostly ByPass Surgery and some (first time Low Risk) Valve Replacement Surgery.

Bottom Line: Experience Counts. Make sure it is the right kind.

Second Issue:

Have you read the information in the 'stickys' at the top of the Valve Selection Forum?

Did your surgeon explain that Tissue Valves have a finite lifetime and will require replacement, typically less than 20 years (sometimes 10 years) in patients younger than 60 years of age at the time of replacement. Younger patients 'wear out' tissue valves faster than older patients. The downside for Mechanical Valves is that Anti-Coagulation Medication is needed for the rest of your life. See the Anti-Coagulation Forum for tips on living with and on anti-coagulation.

The information in the Valve Selection Forum covers the trade-offs between Mechanical and Tissue Valves. There are positive and negative attributes to ALL artificial valves. It is important to make an Informed Decision and understand the Benefits and Risks associated with each option.

'AL Capshaw'

Thanks for the info.
Yes I did have a CT scan and found no aneurisms. Also when I had my TEE, my aorta was normal size, and the TEE was done by a cardiologist from the Cleveland Clinic. I am glad you mentioned connective tissue disorders, because that is what my pulmonologist mentioned. They did find some minor scarring in my lungs when they did the chest CT and xray.
I chose the tissue valve because of the coumadin issue, my dad took it for years and I know how much trouble he had with it.
The cardiologist and surgeon said my heart was healthy, except of course the valve, and this is a good time to replace the valve before the heart becomes damaged.

 

[palmaceae]

Just got the word from the surgeon, my surgery will be March 9th, I am disappointed I have to wait another week and an half but that's OK, at least it is scheduled.

 

[BigOwl]

Welcome aboard, Randy. I'm also a newbie, and the folk around here are knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and courageous.

Good luck on your op.

 

[Lynlw]

Just got the word from the surgeon, my surgery will be March 9th, I am disappointed I have to wait another week and an half but that's OK, at least it is scheduled.

I'm sorry you have to wait, but if it makes you feel better you are lucky, that is FAST, most people have to wait weeks or months unless it is an ER. Is there someone that will be able to let us know how you are doing?

 

[Curtsmum]

Welcome to the forum, glad you have a date. Wishing you a successful surgery, all the best. You want to try waiting years not much fun.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I chose the tissue valve because of the coumadin issue, my dad took it for years and I know how much trouble he had with it.

You need to know that before 1992?, anti-coagulation was monitored by measuring the Prothombin (clotting) Time.

The problem with that method is that they have determined that there was a WIDE Variation in the measurement based on differences in the Chemical Reagent that was used.

In 1992? a Greatly Improved method of monitoring was introduced. It is called the International Normalized Ratio (INR) and it compares the Ratio of clotting times for your blood and a known sample. By taking the Ratio of those times, the variation in Reagent factors is cancelled out.

Dedicated Anti-Coagulation Clinics and Home Testing have greatly improved results. There is a wide variation in Quality of Management by independent Doctors and Nurses, especially those who were trained before INR testing became the norm. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of misunderstanding and Outdated Information still in the minds of many 'older' practicioneers. Home Testing has proven to give the BEST results. Several companies now produce small 'finger stick' machines that are similar in operation to the ones used by dibetics.

Please look at the 'tickys' at the top of the Anti-Coagulation Forum listing and at AL Lodwick's excellent website www.warfarinfo.com for CURRENT information on living with / on anti-coagulation.

Out of curiosity, which type of Tissue Valve did you select?
The Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valves have a proven longevity approaching 20 years (when implanted in patients aged 60 or over). The new and improved versions have an 'anti-calcification' coating that is hoped to extend that lifetime a few more years.

There are several different types of Porcine Tissue Valves. Some of them are known to have Lower Gradients which is useful to Athletic Types who want to push themselves to the max. Some of them also have treatments to hopefully extend their durability. Untreated Porcine Tissue Valves (straight from the pig) typically last only 8 to 12 years in older patients. The New and Improved Porcine Valves haven't been out long enough to know how long they will last.

If you would like to see the Latest and Greatest advancements in Mechanical Valves, go look at www.heartvalvechoice.com and www.onxvalves.com

I'm glad you had a chest CT. That should have given the examining Doctor a good view of your aorta. Some pictures of Aortas with aneurisms have been posted in the BAV and CTD Forum. To the best of my knowledge, the TEE gives a good view of the Heart Valves but I can't imagine it giving a good view of the Aorta, especially the Aortic Arch.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Mary]

Randy,
I've put you on the calendar for March 9. It sounds as though you have all your ducks in a row and are well informed.
Best wishes,
Mary

 

[palmaceae]

Yes, I am very blessed to have this happen so quickly, but the way I see it I have had this condition for a long time and it has taken 8 years to get to this point so my wait was actually pretty long. I just thank God this will be taken care of soon!

 

[Lynlw]

Yes, I am very blessed to have this happen so quickly, but the way I see it I have had this condition for a long time and it has taken 8 years to get to this point so my wait was actually pretty long. I just thank God this will be taken care of soon!

Looking forward to seeing your posts when you are back home

 

[Curtsmum]

Yes, I am very blessed to have this happen so quickly, but the way I see it I have had this condition for a long time and it has taken 8 years to get to this point so my wait was actually pretty long. I just thank God this will be taken care of soon!

Ops sorry wasn't paying attention. Hope the time goes quickly.