how to make a new heart?

[Evgenii]

Hello to the community of strong people who voluntarily decided to cut their body in half. I am 44 years old and I have known about my bicuspid aortic valve for 8 years. I also have 2 implants in my spine and other surgeries were also done by me. 3 months ago, the average pressure gradient increased to 38 and one of the hospitals concluded that a valve replacement was needed, but other hospitals continued to insist that a replacement was not yet necessary. I was offered the Ozaki procedure as a treatment and I began to look for other surgeons and ask their opinions about it. As a result, after 3 months, I found out that my fibrous ring 28-30 mm is too big and the Ozaki procedure is not the best choice for me. I don’t know what happened to me because of the stress from such news or I worked out too much in the gym and pool, but the aorta has now also grown from 41 to 43 mm and now I don’t know what to do

 

[Chuck C]

Welcome to the forum Evgenii.

now also grown from 41 to 43 mm and now I don’t know what to do

Sorry to hear this. Your situation is similar to mine, only I was about 9 years older and my aneurysm was not as large as yours. I opted for a mechanical valve, as I did not want any future surgeries. Even though my aneurysm was not at the threshold to require replacement, my surgeon knew that I wanted to be one and done, so he made a decision once he got a look at my aorta to replace it. When the valve is replaced and part of the connecting aorta as well, it is called a Bentall Procedure. It is a common procedure and many of us here have had it.

With an aneurysm of 43mm, I would strongly recommend going with a surgeon who is onboard to take care of that at the same time he takes care of your valve. At age 44, the guidelines call for a mechanical valve to give you the best chance at having a normal lifespan. However, this is a personal choice that each of us must make, in consultation with our surgeon and cardiologist.

You should know that the Bentall procedure is routine at any competent high volume hospital and the outcomes are excellent. There was even a study which found that those who get a Bentall Procedure have the same life expectancy as someone who has not had valve surgery.

Also, it sounds like you are very physically active. I was physically active before my procedure and, once I had recovered fully from surgery, I was able to resume all of my physical activities, including running, lifting, biking and martial arts.

Best of luck in your valve replacement journey.

 

[Evgenii]

Welcome to the forum Evgenii.


Sorry to hear this. Your situation is similar to mine, only I was about 9 years older and my aneurysm was not as large as yours. I opted for a mechanical valve, as I did not want any future surgeries. Even though my aneurysm was not at the threshold to require replacement, my surgeon knew that I wanted to be one and done, so he made a decision once he got a look at my aorta to replace it. When the valve is replaced and part of the connecting aorta as well, it is called a Bentall Procedure. It is a common procedure and many of us here have had it.

With an aneurysm of 43mm, I would strongly recommend going with a surgeon who is onboard to take care of that at the same time he takes care of your valve. At age 44, the guidelines call for a mechanical valve to give you the best chance at having a normal lifespan. However, this is a personal choice that each of us must make, in consultation with our surgeon and cardiologist.

You should know that the Bentall procedure is routine at any competent high volume hospital and the outcomes are excellent. There was even a study which found that those who get a Bentall Procedure have the same life expectancy as someone who has not had valve surgery.

Also, it sounds like you are very physically active. I was physically active before my procedure and, once I had recovered fully from surgery, I was able to resume all of my physical activities, including running, lifting, biking and martial arts.

Best of luck in your valve replacement journey.

thank you for your kind words
where can i read about the quietest mechanical valves?
Does warfarin therapy cause complications such as hemorrhoids and others?
what is known about J-Sternotomy and how much better is it than the classic approach
Should I look for a surgeon who will install a biological valve or do plastic surgery?

 

[pellicle]

Good Morning

where can i read about the quietest mechanical valves

Here's the thing I've observed in the years I've participated here: mechanical valve noise is highly individual, there is apparently no relible correlation between valve brand and noise, noise is louder in the first months after surgery (when everything is still inflamed).

My guidance is pick the valve with the longest history , however there is really nothing between them. I suggest you read this post and the linked study

https://www.valvereplacement.org/threads/aortic-valve-choices.887840/page-2#post-902334

Best wishes