Is having the more invasive procedure crazy?????

[lcwhitney]

Hi everyone,

I need some experinced opinions. My cardiologist wants me to let a cardiac surgeon that is here in town send me to New Orleans to have a valvoplasty. There is no gaurantee that this will work, the procedure is simple it is done like angioplasty. At best if the procedure works it will only last for about 12-18 months. I am highly allergic to the dye that is used for these type of procedures which means that I would have to be on steroids before during and after the procedure and if the procedure does not work I will still have to have the open heart procedure. I will even eventually have to have the valve replaced any way. I think that I should just go to Houston and have the valve replaced. Yes I know that this is a very drastic thing to have done again but I can't see having a procedure done that at best is only a temporary solution to a permanent problem. I have until Monday to decide. HELP HELP AM I CRAZY?? My doctor seems to think I am.

I donot like the idea of another surgery but I also know that I have to have something done and I would just as soon get the closet thing that there is to a permanent solution.

Lettitia

 

[Ross]

Lettitia that's a tough call and I can see why it would drive you nuts. For everything that I've been through, I can tell you to go and have this procedure done. It's far better then having the surgery. Yes, it's only a temporary solution at best, but if there is any chance of putting the surgery off, I'd try it. The only thing that bothers me in your case is the dye allergy. I think they can do it without the dye, but don't hold me to that one.

Your Doctor obviously thinks that this procedure would be successful for you to even think about it. Considering he wants to send you elsewhere makes me think he knows something there that would be better then having it done close to home. New procedure with a higher success rate maybe?

It's a very tough call and in the end your the one that has to decide, but if it were me, I'd give it a try anyhow. That is only my opinion.

 

[TIM W.]

Lettitia, my opinion is to have the surgery sooner than later and forget about the "temporary" procedure. I always say why use a band-aid to try to stop arterial bleeding?
Perhaps a second opinion is also in order. I elected to have my surgery BEFORE it was absolutely necessary. I was in pretty good health going in and I think that contributed to my successful and very uneventful recovery.
Like Ross said, this is a tough call. I think you should get a second opinion and then decide. Be sure to explore all the risks of how you'll react to the dye!
Best of luck. Tim

 

[Nancy]

Hi Lettitia-

Why have a procedure that won't work for long, and which you have known problems with (allergy to dye) and then in a short time have to have the surgery anyway?

The only reason I can find which would make sense to me is if you are in some physical difficulty from your condition, and your doc is wanting to get you into a less compromised situation so you will be in better health to go through another surgery. If that isn't the case, then I'd definitely get a second opinion from an excellent surgeon.

You've got some difficult problems. You deserve to have this done the right way for you. I think you need expert help on this issue, and need to find out why your doc is recommending the procedure first instead of just going to heart surgery. I would call him and ask the direct question, "are you suggesting the procedure to improve my health so my body can withstand surgery better in the future?" If you don't get the right answer, then take it from there.

 

[Les]

Difficult decision...yes.. Tim made a very strong point about being at your healthiest for surgery. Healthy going in...Healthy coming out! Best wishes...
____________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi letittia!
this is such a difficult decision. i can see benefits in both choices.
i do worry about your allergy to the dye. however, what's to say that 12 to 18 months won't extend to 3 years?
in that case, i would agree with ross (provided that the dye is not a big issue).
did you mention how you feel to the cardio? how about consulting with a surgeon in houston, running this all by him/her and if he/she recommends having the surgery immediately, have the surgery and be done with it.
i feel badly that you have to make this decision so quickly, but you DO have choices here and both are good ones.
either way you must realize you will come out a winner.
i'm sorry i couldn't help more.
please let us know what you decide to do.
all the best, sylvia

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Could you meet (or at least telephone) with the proposed provider to discuss the Pro's and Con's of the Valvoplasty?

I would want more information before making such an important decision. A second opinion would also be useful if you have the time and your condition is not yet critical.

'AL'

 

[Jean]

I think the opinions of second opinions and actually talking to the surgeon who would be doing the patch thing would be in order. Unless they tell you you will die Tuesday if you don't make a choice on Monday, why the hurry...Monday is a holiday anyway. I'd check it out...the bandade doesn't sound like a solution to me, but perhaps there is more the doctor hasn't told you. Ask him! Good luck and God bless.

 

[John Cochran]

Please don't let any doctor push you with a "deadline." You have as long to make this decision as you choose. As others have mentioned, there are some important questions for which you should have answers before proceeding with a decision. Why not simply call them back and say you have important questions you need answered, and THEN you'll make a decision? Remember, the doctors work for you, and sometimes they need to be reminded of that.

Best wishes regardless of which decision you make.
--John

 

[Bunny_Rabbit]

Hi Lettitia

Hi Lettitia

I'm wondering why your doctor said that the Valvuloplasty would only last for 12 - 18 months? I had one done in Sept 2002 and my doctor said that it should do me for 10 YEARS...give or take. AND, when the time does come, he said that I still may be a candidate for ANOTHER Valvuloplasty.

I think you should ask your doctor again about the amount of time it can save you from having OHS.

HOWEVER, I'll say this. I do feel like I'm stuck in the "waiting room" just waiting for things to get worse, as opposed to having a fresh start and waiting for things to get better.

I wish you all the best on making the right choice for you.

 

[ccrawford]

Check the risk factors

Check the risk factors

Hi Lettitia - Did your surgeon discuss the risk factors of the valvuloplasty ? There are some risks involved with this procedure, and these are in addition to the risks involved with the valve replacement. Understanding the additive nature of these risks may help you make a decision. Hope this helps. Chris (by the way, I'd go for the valve replacement, get it over, and then you'll be on the road to healing up again)

 

[bvdr]

Hi,
On what valve are they planning on trying valvoplasty?

What kind and how severe of reaction did you have to the contrast medium?

Have you had other bad reactions to medications and tests?

Betty (bvdr)