JeffM35
Member
So my time draws near, my aortic valve has neared the end of its useful life, but at 34 the rest of me isn't in the same dire straights. I've done a lot of reading over the years, especially here, and have developed an unfortunate (?) bias toward the MCRI On-x valve. Not even so much for the hope of one day being on a no-cumadin regiment, but for the other obvious benefits, not the least of which is that extra potential safety factor if INR levels were to suddenly spike, etc.
In any event, my aortic root has been measured over the past several years by both Echo and CAT scan, numbers have hovered in the 4.8-5.2cm range. Having never had any measurements in my younger years, and given the fact I'm a rather large stature person to begin with (6'4, 280lbs, size 15 shoe, you get the picture), my cardio has been on the fence, watching for any increase in size of the aorta. While the aorta has not appeared to grow in size (in fact, because of the tolerance in measurement techniques w/non-invasive analysis, it hasn't changed at all), the LV is finally showing first signs of minor increase in size, so its time to replace the valve.
I'm guessing there's an excellent chance the surgeon will also want to repair / replace the aorta while doing the valve because of the size of the aorta, and my question is this. I realize MCRI does not currently offer the On-X with prefabricated dacron, does anyone know of increased risks (other than increased time on bypass) with insisting that my surgeon use the On-X w/field installed dacron?
I feel strongly enough compelled to have an On-X valve used for my surgery, I'm in a frame of mind where I will seek out a surgeon that will at least make every effort to make sure this is what is used (of course, barring any complications that would further contraindicate at the time of the actual procedure).
If any one has any further info on this I'd really appreciate it! And thanks everyone for sharing stories, opinions on this site. Its been great reading over the years!
In any event, my aortic root has been measured over the past several years by both Echo and CAT scan, numbers have hovered in the 4.8-5.2cm range. Having never had any measurements in my younger years, and given the fact I'm a rather large stature person to begin with (6'4, 280lbs, size 15 shoe, you get the picture), my cardio has been on the fence, watching for any increase in size of the aorta. While the aorta has not appeared to grow in size (in fact, because of the tolerance in measurement techniques w/non-invasive analysis, it hasn't changed at all), the LV is finally showing first signs of minor increase in size, so its time to replace the valve.
I'm guessing there's an excellent chance the surgeon will also want to repair / replace the aorta while doing the valve because of the size of the aorta, and my question is this. I realize MCRI does not currently offer the On-X with prefabricated dacron, does anyone know of increased risks (other than increased time on bypass) with insisting that my surgeon use the On-X w/field installed dacron?
I feel strongly enough compelled to have an On-X valve used for my surgery, I'm in a frame of mind where I will seek out a surgeon that will at least make every effort to make sure this is what is used (of course, barring any complications that would further contraindicate at the time of the actual procedure).
If any one has any further info on this I'd really appreciate it! And thanks everyone for sharing stories, opinions on this site. Its been great reading over the years!
