Just left with meeting with the surgeon. My dad will be having surgery on July 14th. The surgeon seems to think back in 2012 my dads INR went out of range and maybe that's when this happened because my dad started to not breath as well. He thinks maybe a clot or something is clogging the leaflet. He said that he can go in there and just have to clean the valve or worse case scenario replace the valve with a mechanical valve. He seems very confident this will all be ok. He made us feel comfortable too. Of course he mentioned that 3% of it not going well. It almost sounds like exploratory. But in any case he will fix the problem. We are all in good spirits but I'm still scared. This is a 2nd open heart surgery. I need support from others that have been through it it!!!
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Bonbet
Well-known member
"antiphospholipid syndrome": Was your Dad's Dr. aware of his blood issue before surgery? Full disclosure here, in any given situation I will be the skeptic. Especially medical, possibly because I used to be an ICU nurse and I used to be married to an anesthesiologist. But, I am no expert in this field. So forgive me but I would be scheduling a second opinion, if it was my Dad. (Despite my cynicism, I feel for you and your family - I lost my Dad at age 68 , he was generally healthy still working full time, but his Drs. messed up aka: cynicism.)
You mentioned N Y Presbyterian Cornell Weil, it is one of the best hospitals for AVR surgery. Excellent surgeon there whose name is something like "giardi" I will look for it if you are interested. Anyway, I would at least want to know if the MV is intact, and the problem is a thrombus, what are the treatment options besides OHS? Trans femoral clot removal, streptokinase? Take care, bonbet
You mentioned N Y Presbyterian Cornell Weil, it is one of the best hospitals for AVR surgery. Excellent surgeon there whose name is something like "giardi" I will look for it if you are interested. Anyway, I would at least want to know if the MV is intact, and the problem is a thrombus, what are the treatment options besides OHS? Trans femoral clot removal, streptokinase? Take care, bonbet
Bonbet
Well-known member
Sorry, went back and think your Dad's current valve is tissue not MV? I'd still go for second opinion. Drs. don't always want to disagree with other Drs. so it takes some aplomb to get an objective second opinion instead of a " yeah........what he said."
Bonbet
Bonbet
Thank you for your support. My parents feel comfortable with this surgeon. I don't think they want a 2nd opinion. The surgeon was well aware of my dads blood condition when he had the first valve replaced. We are just trying to stay positive.
RobThatsMe
Well-known member
Hi Joanne,
Sorry to hear about this issue with your dad. In my case, I had to have my St Jude aortic mechanical valve replaced after 10 yrs due to panus growth around the valve leaflets.
The panus was causing the valve not to open fully, I was down to 2% efficiency. I had to have it replaced, and chose an On-X mechanical this time. So far, I am into my 5th year with my replacement valve. I had to have my re-op when I was age 60.
Sorry to hear about this issue with your dad. In my case, I had to have my St Jude aortic mechanical valve replaced after 10 yrs due to panus growth around the valve leaflets.
The panus was causing the valve not to open fully, I was down to 2% efficiency. I had to have it replaced, and chose an On-X mechanical this time. So far, I am into my 5th year with my replacement valve. I had to have my re-op when I was age 60.
pellicle
Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
the old double tap on the save button ... (crap)
pellicle
Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
Hi Joanne
understandable ... I'm sure it will be routine and that within a few days after ICU he'll be recovering.
Kinda time for a role reversal in some ways isn't it. You get to be worried about them instead of them about you.
Be firm and make sure he eats well after surgery (to recover better) and be strict about no lifting in the first few weeks.
Get him onto that spirometer as that really helps the lungs in the first few days post op.
Best Wishes
Joanne;n856828 said:
understandable ... I'm sure it will be routine and that within a few days after ICU he'll be recovering.
Kinda time for a role reversal in some ways isn't it. You get to be worried about them instead of them about you.
Be firm and make sure he eats well after surgery (to recover better) and be strict about no lifting in the first few weeks.
Get him onto that spirometer as that really helps the lungs in the first few days post op.
Best Wishes
Just got an update. There is a lot is scar tissue. So the surgeon is working on that right now. My dad is stable. Nothing out of ordinary. The nurse said it will be a longer surgery because of the scar tissue. So he's not even on the lung heart machine yet. But he's stable. We are praying a lot here. Thank you.
Just got an update. There is a lot is scar tissue. So the surgeon is working on that right now. My dad is stable. Nothing out of ordinary. The nurse said it will be a longer surgery because of the scar tissue. So he's not even on the lung heart machine yet. But he's stable. We are praying a lot here. Thank you.
Hang in there, Joanne...mustering up the most positive thoughts for you and your Dad right now.
Prayers, too!
Prayers, too!
Surgery went well. He now has a cow tissue valve. He's still in ICU day 2. His vitals are stable. Lots of wires and tubes. He is responsive to us. Wiggles toes and opened eyes. But he is still on the breathing machine. This is so upsetting. His last OP he was off the machine within hours of the surgery. We are on day 2 and they said his numbers are not where they want them to be to pull out the breathing tube. I'm so upset. Anyone else been on the breathing machine for more than one day???
cldlhd
Well-known member
Glad to hear the surgery went well. Maybe they're just erring on the side of caution. Better to have the machine hooked up longer than necessary than take a chance. My surgery was back in February but I honestly don't remember the breathing tube. Apparently I woke up with a jolt and they removed it shortly afterwards but I believe there are others out here who were on it for days and everything turned out ok.
I'm so confused. What are they looking for to take the breathing tube out??? Please anyone help me!!! They took his blood again and it's not ready. This is so confusing. He's awake and can't talk to us. He sleeps mostly but he does wake up. I'm so confused.
Hi Joanne - can you ask one of the ICU nurses to explain things to you ? Wishing your dad the best, and you.
honeybunny
Well-known member
Good! Wishing you peace of mind as your dad's healing continues.
Hello. As of last night my dad was put in the step down unit. He hasn't walked much yet. I hope today they get him up and moving. He still complains of shortness of breath. The surgeon said the valve and heart are good. Good the surgery alone cause the shortness of breath. He felt better after his first OP surgery 6 years ago. Ugh! Mom and I are a bit stressed but he's moving along. We haven't called the hospital yet this morning but we are going there in a few hours. I get so nervous calling.
Hello. As of last night my dad was put in the step down unit. He hasn't walked much yet. I hope today they get him up and moving. He still complains of shortness of breath. The surgeon said the valve and heart are good. Good the surgery alone cause the shortness of breath. He felt better after his first OP surgery 6 years ago. Ugh! Mom and I are a bit stressed but he's moving along. We haven't called the hospital yet this morning but we are going there in a few hours. I get so nervous calling.
