newbie

[Waggily Tail]

A huge thank you to everyone for the warm welcome and advice. It helps to hear other peoples' points of view and experiences. Very relieved to know that MGH is top-notch.

ALCap - yes, we'll ask those ?s. Thank you.

DocV - good insight. Thanks for being so thorough. We are DAN members and are waiting for their reply to Bill's email.

Ross - again "WOW" for what you are doing here. I know, it takes a village...and you seem like you great mayor!

Well, Wednesday is cath day. We hope were are able to arrange (short notice) for us to meet with a surgeon afterwards. It's a trek to get there with all the city traffic.

It's comforting to know you are all here for the before, during and after.

Jill

 

[briansmom]

Welcome to the forum. The people here are wonderful and will help you get through this stressful time.

Please post the answer you get from DAN, I am curious about this question. I think the worst case scenario would be limiting dives to 60 ft. I don't know anything about the nitrox though. You guys are obviously comfortable in the water, it is not like you are taking up a new sport.

 

[rckrzy1]

I think the hardest thing would be to get a "release" from cardio. I have a tissue valve or there abouts and my cardio won't release me to cross the street , seriously, it's not like a release but a liability issue the docs don't want.

 

[Seadog]

Hi everyone!
Well I made it hrough my Cath procedure yesterday with good news My Heart arteries are free and clear and my Aortic artery is not enlarged, which is good news to me. They did confirm that my Aortic Valve is .6cmm and my gradient presure is 52. So now the choice of what valve to go with. I meet my surgeon on 9/8 and we will go from there.
I did write to Dan to get thier point of view on diving while on ACT and I think taht I learned more from Doc Vikingo. Although helpfull , I think Dan hedged all around the issue so I've listed Dan's reply below.

TTYS
Bill


From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: 8/19/09 12:54:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: BH - diving and anti-coagulant therapy


Dear Mr. Jennings,



Thanks for your inquiry and your support as a DAN member. It is good to hear you will be having this procedure soon as diving is not generally recommended for people who have aortic stenosis. We cannot recommend one valve over the other since the most important concern is what your doctor believes will be the best for your long-term health and fitness. That said, there are some concerns for diving while taking anti-coagulants. First, there is the risk of increased bleeding in the sinuses or ears as a result of barotrauma. This could complicate what would normally be a simple squeeze injury. Next, there is the possibility that anti-coagulants could lead to increased bleeding into or from the brain or spinal cord in a severe case of decompression sickness. Finally, one must consider the remoteness of many dive sites. Whether one is offshore, way outside of town, or in a remote part of the world, dive sites don’t typically have the immediate access to medical care we are accustomed to. This can make the most benign cuts and scrapes more problematic. Many (possibly even most) doctors trained in diving medicine recommend against diving for anyone taking anti-coagulants. Others adopt a more liberal approach and review these risks while advising aborting a dive if one has any equalization difficulty and doing shorter, shallower, and fewer dives to minimize DCS risk. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have further questions.



Best regards,



Brian Harper, EMT, DMT

Medical Information Specialist

Divers Alert Network

(919) 684-2948 ext. 234

[email protected]

 

[njean]

Hello Bill & welcome to the forum. I hope that we can help ease some of your anxieties by answering some of your questions & be here to support you thru your wait.

Although I've never scuba dived before, I have lived a very active life & I have been on coumadin for a very long time (34-yrs) & it's never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. The only restrictions I've had, are those that I chose to place on myself.

So whatever valve you decide to go with will be good if you are comfortable with your choice & comfortable with what your drs are recommending.

Take care & keep communicating.

 

[Seadog]

I forgot to ask, is anyone familiar with Edwards Lifesciences Magna Valve. Also any info on Dr Arvind Agnihotri Cardiac Surgery MGH
Thanks Bill