Hi Amy
I just went through open heart surgery on Mar 21/11 at age 55. You know what? Other then quality sleep was non existent in the hospital, I had an excellent experience. Developed Atrial fib which set me back a little. No big deal. I'm on a course of Amiodarone for 3 months. Appx 1/3 of AV replacement patients develop Atrial Fib. Just be prepared that you may be in this category, but it is curable.
Adjust your pain killer meds as directed by your physician. You want to be able to accomplish the breathing drills, walk and rest comfortably. This is difficult to do if you are in pain.
I like you had the On-X valve implanted and had an aneurysm of 4.2 of the ascending aorta removed and a graft spliced in. The surgeon reduced my INR from 2.5-3.5 to 2.0 to 3.0 because of the On-X.
I'm glad at your young age you chose a MHV over a tissue valve. I see way to many young folks ignoring the perils of additional reops predominantly because they do not want to manage ACT. A friend of mine lost a sister after 7 OHS in her 40's. Their was so much scar tissue from the procedures they could no longer operate. With no available heart transplant donor she died. If you were in your mid 50's noproblemo, tissue or a MHV would be acceptable.
On-X is having great success with it's clinical study, having select patients function with an INR of 1.5-2.0. By 2015, I expect this will be our zone!
Expect a great experience and go with the flow, these folks are pro's and this is their area of expertise. Let them take care of you.
I just went through open heart surgery on Mar 21/11 at age 55. You know what? Other then quality sleep was non existent in the hospital, I had an excellent experience. Developed Atrial fib which set me back a little. No big deal. I'm on a course of Amiodarone for 3 months. Appx 1/3 of AV replacement patients develop Atrial Fib. Just be prepared that you may be in this category, but it is curable.
Adjust your pain killer meds as directed by your physician. You want to be able to accomplish the breathing drills, walk and rest comfortably. This is difficult to do if you are in pain.
I like you had the On-X valve implanted and had an aneurysm of 4.2 of the ascending aorta removed and a graft spliced in. The surgeon reduced my INR from 2.5-3.5 to 2.0 to 3.0 because of the On-X.
I'm glad at your young age you chose a MHV over a tissue valve. I see way to many young folks ignoring the perils of additional reops predominantly because they do not want to manage ACT. A friend of mine lost a sister after 7 OHS in her 40's. Their was so much scar tissue from the procedures they could no longer operate. With no available heart transplant donor she died. If you were in your mid 50's noproblemo, tissue or a MHV would be acceptable.
On-X is having great success with it's clinical study, having select patients function with an INR of 1.5-2.0. By 2015, I expect this will be our zone!
Expect a great experience and go with the flow, these folks are pro's and this is their area of expertise. Let them take care of you.
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