I have a date!!!

[hpuehler]

I went to the surgeon, Dr. Samuel J. Durham, yesterday and my surgery is set for Jan. 10. He will be off this week and wants to read my CT and TEE and Cardiac cath himself because he feels like there is not enough information for him in the reports. He would like to see if he can repair the valve. He said if the aorta is dilated, he may be able to graft and in turn bring the leaflets back together. (My valve is a trileaflet and not bicuspid they stated was possible in a prior ECHO.) If not then he would like to put in a St. Jude mechanical valve. I Know I'm comfortable with the mechanical valve but I don't know about the Coumadin. Guess thats like having a Reese's P-Butter cup without the P-Butter. NOT going to happen. I will go back to the surgeon on the 5th of Jan. and he will go over his findings from the tests and let me know if he can try the repair.

Can anyone comment on a aortic valve repair of this type. Has anyone had long term success witha repair? I read one persons entry where the repair caused some arrythmias and an AICD implant. If that would be the case, bring on the Coumadin and the St. Jude. I did ask about the Ross Procedure and he said they are not using this in people older than 20 and ideally in children under 10.

I feel a sense of relief just knowing I have a date. Now if I could get rid of this pleurisy.

Thanks, Heather

 

[Mary]

Heather,
I'm glad you've got your date. Unfortunately I can't help with your questions about an aortic repair.
Dr. Paul Stelzer in New York considers 35-40 year adults to be prime candidates for the Ross Procedure, and he has had phenomenal success with his Ross operations. I don't know if you would consider having surgery out of state, but I thought that I would mention it.
Best wishes,
Mary

 

[ERIKASMOM]

Hi Heather,

Hi Heather,

Congratulations on setting a date. Unfortunately i don't have any advice to give you on your situation but I know that other people will! That is the wonderful thing about this site! Meanwhile I hope you are able to enjoy your holidays!!
Judie

 

[Cris N]

Heather,
Glad to hear you're making progress toward getting your valve issue settled. While I can't give you any info about aortic valve I, too, would question the age discussion about the Ross. There are people on the site here who've had it done who are definitely older than 20. I suspect you'll be hearing from some of them soon.

Cris

 

[DinahS]

Repair

Repair

Hey Heather

I had aortic valve repair 4 1/2 years ago, but I did have to have an AICD implant in 2004 b/c of arrhythmia problems due to a leak in the valve that was caused by the repair. It was my decision to have the repair instead of a replacement at the time, and if I could go back 4 1/2 years I probably would choose the valve. I thought at the time the repair would be forever or at least until less-invasive valve replacement was available, and I had no idea that other complications could arise from it. In my case, it did. But that doesn't mean it will in yours. Everyone is different. You should do what you feel in your heart is best for you for this time in your life. Lots of prayer will help you in your decision too.

God Bless You!!

 

[RandyL]

I can't give you any medical advice at all on this and would not even attempt to.
However after reading a lotof posts over the last few months, I think I would chose a new part rather than try to repair an old part. My 2 cents worth.
Good Luck