Minimally Invasive Surgery for AVR between ribs ?

Guest · Mar 8, 2015

Hi

I am having an AVR for my BAV in eary April. My surgeon is planning to do a minimally invasive procedure via a 3 inch incision between 2 ribs (thus avoiding sternotomy). Has anyone else had this procedure done ? How was your experience? How was recovery?

PeteCrev · Mar 31, 2015

Hello-
I had this done 14 months ago and feeling great now. I was back to work in a month part time for a few weeks and then went to full time again......Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

knotguilty · Apr 2, 2015

I had this exact procedure done. I did a break job on my sons car two weeks after surgery, but I would not recommend doing what I did. I took my time otherwise getting back on my feet and back to work. By 8 weeks I was jogging on a treadmill. I still have the scars but otherwise I feel great. It amazes me.

soccer girl · May 4, 2015

Hi knotguilty and PeteCrev,

Thanks for the encouraging words. I am the original poster about the minimally invasive between ribs procedure. In the end I did have this procedure done on April 10 - and I am sooo glad I did. I was released from hospital on day 4 post-op and on May 2 (day 21 post surgery) I walked a 5km community event in 48 min. It is truly amazing what they can do these days and I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to have this surgery done this way. For anyone considering this procedure - it was truly wonderful not to have the sternectomy....recovery game changer for sure. I have my 4 week post-op surgeon appointment in 3 days - I am thinking of bringing my participation medal to show off.....even he is amazed.
Onward and upward,
C.

New On-X 23mm mechanical valve owner !

cpj123 · Jun 14, 2015

Soccer girl...My surgeon brought this up to me Friday and I almost kissed him. I had no clue this was an option for BAV/AVR. I am getting a CT next week to see if I am a candidate....do you know what the deal killers are?

soccer girl · Jun 23, 2015

Hi cpj123,

I had my surgery in Ottawa, Canada - so maybe things are different here (your profile says you are in Eastern USA I think). The one deal killers was if anything else needed fixing at same time - so if aorta or aortic root are needing work to wrepair/replace or if any bypass is needed then this type of surgery was out (just not enough room to do everything I think). My recovery continues to be fantastic - on a running/walking program now building towards full running again. My scar is only 2.5 inches and in a location that many of my v-neck shirts can still be worn. Back to work in 3 weeks.

On other notes - if you are still mulling over which valve - don't be afraid of a mechanical valve due to warfarin/coumadin. For myself - I have had absolutely no issues. Like many on this website - I invested in a home INR tester - CoaguloCheck XS. To help you decide you could have you warfarin genetics done. I did this and predicted that I would likely need a lower than average dose of warfarin due to my vitamin K genetic profile - and this turned out to be true. Also if you are offered the ON-X valve - this also needs lower doses.