I'm new here

[mixduptransistor]

You've gotten some great replies here. If we all had a crystal ball, these decisions would be a lot simpler.

I will chime in with one point: Not to be a moralistic old fuddy-duddy (which I may well be ) I wouldn't make the freedom to drink a six-pack-plus a high priority in the bigger scheme of things. Most likely, you will be able to enjoy a beer or two no matter what kind of valve device you get. Moderation is a good principle to practice in any event. (And I speak as one who, in college, practiced hardly any moderation at all. )

I'm afraid I've left the impression that being able to drink until I can't see is the motivating factor in my decision. First, I don't drink THAT much, but I do occasionally have more than "one or two". Second, it's far from the only thing I have under consideration, and is just one thing that is going into my complex proprietary algorithm for deciding what I want to do.

One reason I have asked about it, is because it's one of the things that I haven't found reliable information about. Some places say one drink will cause you to bleed from your pores, and other sites say you can drink until you pass out.

 

[pamela]

Hi there,

Is your doctor offering you a homograft in the pulmonary position while he moves your tricuspid into your aortic spot? A Ross procedure approach would support the homograft choice over a bioprosthesis so I'm just wondering if that's the thinking behind it.

The advances being made in valve surgery are huge and will tend to be even more amazing as surgeons and ICs become more familiar with aging populations and improvements to the technologies involved in production.

Take Heart, your surgeon and you have all the tools it takes to make an intelligent and appropriate valve choice that will serve you well into the future,
Pamela.

 

[sue943]

If one drink could cause people to bleed from their pores then a lot of us would have problems. I have a drink whenever I want a drink, that isn't often but I certainly don't bleed when I do have a drink. My INR is normally in the range of 3.0 to 4.0 and a drink simply isn't a problem.

 

[CHDDoug]

Mixdup,
Welcome to the forum! You have found a great place for info. Do all the research that you can. From the research that I've done, you aren't guaranteed that you won't have a re-op with any valve...just less likely with mechanical. I had my AVR at 33 (5 months ago). I ended up choosing the Ross procedure. I wanted to avoid coumadin for numerous reasons. I have an active lifestyle (sports, skiing, hunting, hiking, etc) and I didn't want to change any of that. I didn't want to alter my eating or drinking habits either (I occasionally like to have more than a couple as well...so I know what you mean). I know many people manage this with ease, but I didn't want to deal with it. I didn't choose pig valve because I didn't want re-op in 10 years. The Ross is somewhat 'new' to the game, so long term statistics are somewhat 'new', but I talked to several great surgeons that say that if your Ross lasts 10 years, it should last 20-25+ years before re-op (if even necessary). I'm obviously hoping for the 25+...plus the advances in modern medicine that can give me a non-invasive 'tune-up' by then. Research all of your options and way them by the lifestyle you want to lead. I wish you the best with your decision!!!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Glad you found us. I had a repair so can't provide personal insight on valve choice. My advice is to weigh the pros and cons with your Cardio and Surgeon and then do what fees right for you. Once you decide, don't second guess your decision. There's no right or wrong choice. Good luck with your choice.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Interesting about repairing a Bicuspid Aortic Valve.
Most Doc's go ahead and replace them.

OTOH, Dr. McGiffin is very highly respected and has a lot of experience. Let us know how it goes.

Several of our members have benefited from his hands and are glad to have found him.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

Well I went and sucked down a Bloody Mary after posting, so does that tell you anything?

 

[Mimi]

In regards to my own personal experience, I thought I had the option of a tissue or mechanical valve, however after a meeting with the surgeon things changed. He explained that I had no option but a mechanical valve because he would refuse to perform the operation. His reason was that I probably wouldn't never make it through another surgery. At the time, I was extremely upset about his comments, but later I realized he was trying to help me. I actually felt relieved that I didn't have to make a decision for fear of making the wrong one.

Good luck, I'm sure whatever you decide it will be for the best!

 

[mixduptransistor]

So, I wanted to post an update. I believe that after everything I've read and the comments I had from the surgeon and his assistant when I saw him (which was prior to the beginning of this thread) I am going to stick with the homograph as my first choice and the mechanical as the backup.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

So, I wanted to post an update. I believe that after everything I've read and the comments I had from the surgeon and his assistant when I saw him (which was prior to the beginning of this thread) I am going to stick with the homograph as my first choice and the mechanical as the backup.

WHICH mechanical?

ATS, Carbomedics, ON-X, or St. Jude?

You may want to visit their respective websites to learn more about each of them.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thousands? Your doctor has done thousands of aortic valve replacments?

Maybe. He (Dr. McG.....) is a Highly Respected Transplant Surgeon at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and in the peak of his career (mid 50's). Many consider him to be the 'go to' guy for High Risk Heart (or Lung) Surgery in Alabama.

I believe UAB has been ranked as high as the #10 Heart Hospital. That is where your esteemed Dr. Kouchoukos did his residency (UAB Residency 1967 to 1970, UAB CT Surgeon 1970-1984 )

YEP - here it is:

Nicholas T. Kouchoukos, M.D.
3009 N. Ballas Road
Suite 266C
St. Louis, MO 63131
United States

Institutional Affiliation
Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Specialty
Adult Cardiac Surgery
General Thoracic Surgery
Peripheral Vascular Surgery

Background
University of Michigan (1954-1957)
Washington University School of Medicine (M.D. 1961)
Barnes Hospital-Washington University Geneal Surgery Residency (1961-1967)
University of Alabama Cardiothoracic Surgical Residency (1967-1970)
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, University of Alabama, (1970-1984)
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon-in-Chief, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, (1984-1996)
Professor of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine (1984-1996)
Attending Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, MO (1996
I
Excerpted from www.CTSnet.org

 

[Mary]

Maybe. He is a Highly Respected Transplant Surgeon at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and in the peak of his career (mid 50's). Many consider him to be the 'go to' guy for High Risk Heart (or Lung) Surgery in Alabama.

I believe UAB has been ranked as high as the #10 Heart Hospital. That is where your favorite Dr. Kouchoukas (sp?) did his residency (I'm going to check that on GOOGLE)

Dr. Kouchoukos was my surgeon, and I believe you're right, Al. He was at UAB, but it was some time back. He's getting close to the age of retirement.