Its Time

[Dave S]

Hello,

I have been woundering around here for about a month I guess, I wish I could have found it a couple of years ago. this site has been so helpful but I guess you all know that. I would like to say thanks to everyone who posts on here without you it would be so much more difficult.

I am 42 y/o firefighter and through a work stress test and eco I had two years ago I found out I had a bicuspid aoretic valve that was moderately calcified, with no symptoms, even after the stress test that they took me to 104% of my heart rate. Well now its been two years and I just had another eco they tell me its time to get it replaced, mean gradient of 72mm. the valve is 0.5 cm sq. and a peak gradient of 97mm.

I have had the talk with the surgen and I feel pretty confident in him, he recomends a mechanical valve. St Jude or what he feels is a better valve the ATS valve, he said it was quieter and better then the St Jude and should last 30 yrs or more.

Have any of you heard of the ATS valve? He is planing on a minimally invasive procedure either sterium or right nipple line area . which do you feel is the better choice?

They gave me a few dates this month it looks like I will be choosing 5-25-05 as the big day, of course the cath will be done the day before. So now I am starting to freak out not sleeping, and the whole impending doom thing.


its kinda of hard to talk to people about this, but I know you all know how I am feeling at this point.

I am in south Florida I will be going to North Ridge Hosp. in Ft Laud. Dr. Kenneth Herskowitz. He is suppose to be the best in the area, does anyone in the area have any info on him?

sorry for being so long winded and thinks for listing.

 

[Sherry]

Welcome to our wonderful site, Dave. I'm not personally familiar with the ATS valve, but I'm sure others will be on shortly who may have some knowledge. Personally, I am a St. Jude's gal. It is noisy for me and a few others, but there are many on this site who barely hear theirs. In fact, I was watching a particularly exciting tennis point tonight (involving my teenaged son), and it became rather audible. But in all actuality the noise becomes rather amusing after eight years. It's weird at first but then it's like "Oh, well..."

It sounds great that you are being offered the minimally invasive route. Those of us who have gone the traditional route can certainly attest to some nagging issues that can sometimes go along with that: nerve damage, pesky sternum wires, etc. Best of luck to you and please have a family member keep us posted as to your progress after your surgery. You have come to a great place here at VR.Com, and we're glad to have you.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome to our little family! Like Sherry, I have a St. Jude as well, but in the mitral valve position. I've had mine for over 13 years with no issues. We have a few members with valves at 26 years +. You are venturing into an area that is not experimental, or even new science. It's a highly successful procedure, so I'm sure you'll do just fine.

If you weren't nervous right now, you'd be in denial. Everyone gets scared and nervous. But the wait is almost harder than the actually surgery. It's definately more stressful.

There are many helpful hints on our site that you may have run across already. But don't be afraid to ask any questions. There's a thread called "Hospital Hints" that you'll probably find helpful.

Settle in, grab a soda and join the conversation.

Oops, almost forgot to mention one very important thing. Since you will be getting a mechanical valve, you will be on Coumadin (warfarin). We have a wonderful expert on this drug as a member of our forum. Al Lodwick has a site, www.warfarinfo.com that you will find very helpful. There is lots of misinformation going around about Coumadin, even by doctors and medical professionals, so you'll want to make yourself very familiar with the drug.

 

[geebee]

Welcome Dave.

Another St. Jude recipient here (mitral tho). I do not have info on the ATS valve either but that doesn't mean there won't be others who can inform you.

Scared, nervous, worried - all normal. I think those are the emotions that prompt research. You have come to the right place.

Stick around and you will find the information that will give you some peace.

 

[gadgetman]

Welcome Dave from an almost 58 year old Volunteer Firefighter. They were able to repair my valve (the wife and I had selected to go with St Jude) so I'm one of the "non-ticking--non- coumadin" ones here. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give advice on the ATS valve.

My problems came on so quickly (found out in December my Mitral Valve wasn't working right--open heart surgery by the middle of January) that I was not in the "waiting room" very long. But I would be telling a fib if I said I wasn't scared to NEAR death on what I was facing. But VR.COM was a Godsend for helping me and the wife face this. We were never alone throughout it all. A good group of Guys and Gals here will provide guidance, advice, and the occasional shoulder when you need it.

We will send prayers and good thoughts your way on your pending surgery.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[hensylee]

welcome, Dave. I grew up in Miami, have fireman cousins (retired now), lots of family and friends in your area.

Glad to have you here in VR. There is a lot for you to learn and the members are here just for you, to help.

Harpoon is a fireman, too. He will no doubt be along soon.

 

[bvdr]

Welcome Dave,

We understand some of the emotions you are dealing with right now and hope this site will help ease some of the stress for you. I have a St.Jude mitral valve but it is not one of the newer models. It seems to work just fine.

We have several firefighters amongst us and I'm glad we can add you as well.

I hope you stay in touch and keep us up to date of your surgery plans. Some of us tend to become like anxious mothers.....Granbonny expecially!

There is a wealth of information in past discussions on these forums and also wonderful references. If you are having a hard time finding something then just ask and someone will be right along to help.

 

[RCB]

ATS Valves

ATS Valves

Dave,
Rest assured that ATS makes a fine valve with a long history of clinical research to prove this. The important thing is that your doctor if familiar with the valve and implants a large number per year. Check out the valve area where there is much to read.
Also, I know surgery is near, but have you got a second opinion about
the possibility that it could be repair. If you would be a canidate- it really can be the best way to go. Also, with your job, tissue might be a better way to go. Just a suggestion.
Keep in mind that you are going to be fine- good luck!

 

[Dave S]

Well I have found very little about the ATS Valve, but my doctor really likes it alot said he has installed well over 1000 of them in the aoretic position, and even more in the mitirel position, sts it is an ecellent valve and is very quite.

RBC my aoretic valve is to calicifed for repair. I was interested in a tissue valve, but the Doctor didnt like the idea said it would not last long enough.

 

[terryj]

My husband has the ATS Aortic valve. They do have a Web Site and I called the 1-800 number and someone actually called me back and we talked about the Valve and they said they could send me a prototype. Doctor Puskas at Crawford Long(Emory) in Atlanta did my husbands surgery on 9/11/01. He is one of the top Heart Surgeons in the U.S. The type of valve you receive is a very personal choice. But, Dr. Puskas was really impressed with the ATS. He said he would be happy if we kept his INR anywhere between 2.0 and 3.5 with this valve.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

ATS has an informative website at www.atsmedical.com

General information about valves can be read in the PATIENTS section. More detailed information about the valve design and benefits can be found in the PHYSICIANS section.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Rain]

It a time in my life I will never forget.

It a time in my life I will never forget.

its kinda of hard to talk to people about this, but I know you all know how I am feeling at this point.

Dave,

I can seriously tell you that you are living through the very worst part of heart surgery right now.

I'm sending you lots of positive vibes.

 

[gijanet]

Welcome, Dave.............

Welcome, Dave.............

to the group. Make yourself at home here. I'm afraid that I don't have much feedback on your valve questions, but I've been around this site long enough to know that what you are feeling is perfectly normal. Hang in there. We will be here to rally you on. Sending prayers. Janet

 

[Mary]

Dave,
I saw where you posted May 25 as your probable surgery date. Is that what you've settled on?

 

[Dave S]

I do have a Date 5-25-05, I go in on the 24th for the Cath stay the night and do the surgery in the morning.

It was hard making that date, I felt a little better making the date, but now I am getting very aprehensive waiting.

Thanks for all the replys

 

[Harpoon]

... Harpoon is a fireman, too. He will no doubt be along soon.

No doubt, and a "fireman" is the guy who shovels the coal into the furnace on a steam locomotive, us nuts that run around with turnout gear in our trunks are called firefighters.




Hey Dave S, Welcome!

I actually joined my department (volunteer) after surgery. Had always been thinking about becoming an EMT and the oppportunity came up last year. Went through the course and got a little cocky in the practical skills testing so I gotta go through a refresher course that comes up this Fall and then get certified.


I have a St. Judes valve in the tricuspid position. I was born with a heart defect and I'm kind of a special case but I will say that the valve does well and I've been great ever since I got discharged.

Minimally invasive is nice. It may mean a shorter recovery time and if you're a firefighter, it may mean you can get back to work (or at least light duty) faster though check with your docs on it first.

The biggest concern when people get a midline incision is usually the healing time for the sternum (breast bone) which can be as much as a year to fully heal. On occassion you'll hear of complications related to the wires used to close the sternum doing funky things or other uncomfortable noises/sensations when people move. My chest is still pretty stiff and "tender" in certain spots.

I feel it most when I'm lifting my son or if I'm doing sit-ups. I'll also feel it if my son hits me in the chest (he's 5, loves to run up to people with his hands out front as "bumpers") and if my wife touches the right spots on my right side...

Other than that, it's not too bad.

As I understand it, when they go in from the side they break a rib (cut it out really) and fix it before closing. I assume the same is true going under the nipple. That may lead to some soreness/healing time issues, but it shouldn't be as severe as the sternum thing.

Go with what the surgeon knows best, they do a lot of these and generally a good surgeon will know what works best for him and will want to stick with it.



Again, welcome. =)

 

[Harpoon]

Pardon the smart arsed remarks.... =)

Just feelin' good after hanging out at the fire hall all evening "working" and trying not to face up to the paper I gotta write tonight for a class.

 

[Mary]

I do have a Date 5-25-05, I go in on the 24th for the Cath stay the night and do the surgery in the morning.

Dave,
I posted your surgery on the VR calendar; hope you don't mind.

 

[Dave S]

Harpon
What has your doctor said about you being a firefighter and being on coumadin?

My doctor told me he does not like the idea, and would not recomend me going back to full duty being on coumadin, now I am not sure if he will prevent me from going back to full duty or not. I guess I am going to find out soon enough.

Harpon keep poinking away you will get that EMT Cert.

Thanks Mary for putting me on the calender.