Porcine stentless valve... next Monday!

[TjCarpenter]

Hello all, I found out, two weeks ago that I need a new valve or I'll croak! It was all so sudden that my head is still spinning... I jumped on the WEB and did a bit of preliminary research before speaking with my surgeon. (a bit about the doctor)... I am very lucky that I live near an awesome heart center in Grand Rapids, MI and that my surgeon is VERY skilled and respected. That said, I am confident having him care for me. I am a 45 year old husband and father of two children ( 8 - 11 )... I am very active because I am a builder / remodeler. I asked my surgeon about the Ross and he said that he would rather not affect two valves when only one was bad. He also said that they had performed over 1000 AVR's with this stentless porcine with awesome results... I trust him when he says that this is the surgery he would choose for himself... (we are the same age)... He claimed that this valve has been coated with an agent that inhibits calcification and that because it is newer... he can't predict how many years it might last ( past the normal 15 - 20)... I am as nervous as can be ( scared really ).
That said, I can only control that which is in my power to control... and it does not seem like much!

Thanks for listening to my rant.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome!!!! You found the best site in the world for support. When is your surgery date. We'll put you on our calendar.

You wouldn't be normal if you weren't nervous. I would recommend doing some reading here on what preparations to make for your return home. One of the big questions is "Do you have a recliner?" You may find that the first week or two home, sleeping in a recliner will be more comfortable. (It's too early for my mind to think of others at the moment. )

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome to the forum. You have jumped the biggest hurdle- having a surgeon and a hospital that you trust and respect. Use this time before surgery to search the forum for tips on recovery and you will do fine. I put you on the calendar for next Monday and we look forward to hearing all good reports from you.

 

[Ashley]

Hello all, I found out, two weeks ago that I need a new valve or I'll croak! It was all so sudden that my head is still spinning... I jumped on the WEB and did a bit of preliminary research before speaking with my surgeon. (a bit about the doctor)... I am very lucky that I live near an awesome heart center in Grand Rapids, MI and that my surgeon is VERY skilled and respected. That said, I am confident having him care for me. I am a 45 year old husband and father of two children ( 8 - 11 )... I am very active because I am a builder / remodeler. I asked my surgeon about the Ross and he said that he would rather not affect two valves when only one was bad. He also said that they had performed over 1000 AVR's with this stentless porcine with awesome results... I trust him when he says that this is the surgery he would choose for himself... (we are the same age)... He claimed that this valve has been coated with an agent that inhibits calcification and that because it is newer... he can't predict how many years it might last ( past the normal 15 - 20)... I am as nervous as can be ( scared really ).
That said, I can only control that which is in my power to control... and it does not seem like much!

Thanks for listening to my rant.

You might want to check out some of the postings by mmarshall. I think he had a similar replacement done a few weeks ago, with great results!

 

[tobagotwo]

Please give me the name of the valve, if you can. The only stentless porcine aortic valve in general use that I am aware of is the Toronto SPV, marketed by St. Jude.

The St. Jude website doesn't indicate that the Toronto has been coated with an anticalcification compound of any type. It is simply fixed in glutaraldehyde. If there were a new version out on the open market, St. Jude would certainly showcase it on their site.

St. Jude has some valves in clinical trials that have had some anticalcification treatment, but that would normally mean that the revised valve is not fully FDA approved yet. If you are participating in a clinical trial, your surgeon should tell you so.

Best wishes,

 

[cgv]

cgv

cgv

Medtronics Freestyle incorporates the latest fixation process in a stentless porcine valve. I recieved one on May 27.

http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/free_index.html

 

[tobagotwo]

Thank you. Now I understand what's been happening. There have been several postings lately about people getting their valves replaced with an anticalcification-treated, stentless variety, and I have been racking my brain and the web to come up with which one they're talking about.

Apparently, we are talking about the Freestyle, which is an excellent valve. But the Freestyle isn't a standard aortic replacement valve. It's a valve-and-root combination, and normally wouldn't be used unless the root had enlarged and needed replacement also.

Therein lay the confusion. There wasn't any mention about roots needing replacement, so I was paging through standard replacement valves, and coming up with nothing new - and getting concerned.

Since the recipients seem to be younger bicuspids, the value of root replacement makes sense. So does the choice of valves. In fact, had I needed a root replacement, the Freestyle would most likely have been my choice also.

Best wishes,

 

[tobagotwo]

The surgeon's response to the Ross Procedure is a typical one from surgeons who don't do the procedure. It wasn't a very enlightened reply. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the course you are taking, but the Ross deserved better shrift than a mere brush-off.

As far as scared spitless, well...you bet! Almost all of us smelled like fear big time before the event. It's a teeth-chattering, gotta-do-it kinda thing.

The best thing I can tell you is to look at your health now, and realize fully how limiting, exhausting, scarey, and even painful this can be (and of course fatal, too). You may have felt you have been feeling the effects of age creeping up on you. You will be shocked and annoyed later to know how you should have been feeling all this time.

After I had aortic valve surgery, my heart felt like it was just coasting. It felt unbelievably light. Even as my chest was healing, my heart was feeling far better than it had in many years.

It doesn't feel that way right away for everyone, but over time, it does feel better in the large majority of cases (basically, when other heart or health issues are not involved). You have that to look forward to. Along with coaching more little league, of course.

In the end, you will have to give control to the surgeon. In fact, it's a great relief when you finally lay down that attempt to control, and give it up for the morning of the OHS. You'll have plenty of time to control things later. It's nice to let someone else be responsible - even if it's only for a couple of days.

It won't be as bad as you think. Later, you'll realize that right now was the worst part of the whole operation. Most of us found that to be the case in the end.

Best wishes,

 

[cgv]

cgv

cgv

Bob,

There are actually four versions of the Medtronics freestyle valve, from full root to sub-coronary. I did not require root replacement and that portion of the valve was not used.

http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/free_versatil.html

cgv

 

[Superbob]

Stentless and I Oink

Stentless and I Oink

I have (this is from my official wallet card) the Medtronic Aortic Root Heart Valve (stentless, porcine) -- it was a combination replacement for a very leaky AV and an very much enlarged aortic root. Had it done four months ago, and I am doing very well -- leading an active life. I wish you all the best with your surgery. I am confident you will do well. By all means, keep us posted.

Cheers,

Rob

 

[TjCarpenter]

The "root" of the problem!

The "root" of the problem!

Thank you. Now I understand what's been happening. There have been several postings lately about people getting their valves replaced with an anticalcification-treated, stentless variety, and I have been racking my brain and the web to come up with which one they're talking about.

Apparently, we are talking about the Freestyle, which is an excellent valve. But the Freestyle isn't a standard aortic replacement valve. It's a valve-and-root combination, and normally wouldn't be used unless the root had enlarged and needed replacement also.

Therein lay the confusion. There wasn't any mention about roots needing replacement, so I was paging through standard replacement valves, and coming up with nothing new - and getting concerned.

Since the recipients seem to be younger bicuspids, the value of root replacement makes sense. So does the choice of valves. In fact, had I needed a root replacement, the Freestyle would most likely have been my choice also.

Best wishes,

I am meeting with members of the surgical team tomorrow for a pre-operative session. I will get more detail at that time... Thanks for your research and info!

 

[TjCarpenter]

Right on target!

Right on target!

The surgeon's response to the Ross Procedure is a typical one from surgeons who don't do the procedure. It wasn't a very enlightened reply. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the course you are taking, but the Ross deserved better shrift than a mere brush-off.

As far as scared spitless, well...you bet! Almost all of us smelled like fear big time before the event. It's a teeth-chattering, gotta-do-it kinda thing.

The best thing I can tell you is to look at your health now, and realize fully how limiting, exhausting, scarey, and even painful this can be (and of course fatal, too). You may have felt you have been feeling the effects of age creeping up on you. You will be shocked and annoyed later to know how you should have been feeling all this time.

After I had aortic valve surgery, my heart felt like it was just coasting. It felt unbelievably light. Even as my chest was healing, my heart was feeling far better than it had in many years.

It doesn't feel that way right away for everyone, but over time, it does feel better in the large majority of cases (basically, when other heart or health issues are not involved). You have that to look forward to. Along with coaching more little league, of course.

In the end, you will have to give control to the surgeon. In fact, it's a great relief when you finally lay down that attempt to control, and give it up for the morning of the OHS. You'll have plenty of time to control things later. It's nice to let someone else be responsible - even if it's only for a couple of days.

It won't be as bad as you think. Later, you'll realize that right now was the worst part of the whole operation. Most of us found that to be the case in the end.

Best wishes,

It is reassuring to see that all the feelings I am having are or have been shared by others. You pegged them all! Especially the "old age" thing. I remember talking to my Dad not that long ago. He is 83 and was complaining about being tired... I said, "Dad, I can't imagine what 83 must be like... I'm exhausted now"! I will do as you say and "Let go, let God"... It will be nice to relax.

Thanks again for your replies.

Tom

 

[TjCarpenter]

LazyBoy-Wonder!

LazyBoy-Wonder!

Welcome!!!! You found the best site in the world for support. When is your surgery date. We'll put you on our calendar.

You wouldn't be normal if you weren't nervous. I would recommend doing some reading here on what preparations to make for your return home. One of the big questions is "Do you have a recliner?" You may find that the first week or two home, sleeping in a recliner will be more comfortable. (It's too early for my mind to think of others at the moment. )

Thanks for your reply! My date is next Monday 6/27/05. I have the recliner ready... I have no "heart pillow"... Is this something they provide at the hospital? I am trying to keep myself calm because the more nervous I get the worse my symptoms get ( light headed and pain on the left side of chest and left shoulder blade area... Gotta keep it together for a few more days!

Regards and thanks, Tom

 

[TjCarpenter]

Thanks for the re-direct!

Thanks for the re-direct!

You might want to check out some of the postings by mmarshall. I think he had a similar replacement done a few weeks ago, with great results!

I'll look them up straight away. Thank you Ashley

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello!

Hello!

Hello Tj and welcome to this site. I'll be very interested to follow your journey as I'm in what we call The Waiting Room. Several of us know of our condition, know we'll have surgery, may or may not have seen a surgeon yet, and don't yet have any inkling of when we'll be ready for surgery. I've been visiting this site for abit more than a year, and what I wanted to impress you with was that in that time, my fears and anxiety have virtually disappeared because I've watched SO MANY valvers go through their surgery and come out on "the other side of the mountain" quite successfully. It's rather amazing, actually! I should try to count the many successes there have been since I've been waiting. (that being said, I'm sure when I finally do get my date, I'll be back to normal anxiety levels!! )

Please pop in and ask these guys anything! You'll be delighted at how many fine answers and suggestions you will be given!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Marguerite

 

[TjCarpenter]

How are you feeling?

How are you feeling?

Medtronics Freestyle incorporates the latest fixation process in a stentless porcine valve. I recieved one on May 27.

http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/free_index.html

Thanks for your info on the valve... I stopped in at the surgeons office and inquired with them as to which valve they were intending on using. The nurse said that it would be the Medtronics Freestyle!

How are you doing post-op? I hope you are doing well!

Let me know what the other side of this mountain looks like!

Thanks,

Tom

 

[savysmommy]

Hi Tom!
Just wanted to say welcome and good luck! Please post when your feeling up to it, I would love to know how your doing.. I will be just one day following with AVR also!

Again, good luck!

Shannon

 

[TjCarpenter]

Ready to Go!

Ready to Go!

Hi Tom!
Just wanted to say welcome and good luck! Please post when your feeling up to it, I would love to know how your doing.. I will be just one day following with AVR also!

Again, good luck!

Shannon

Hi Shannon,

I am really ready to get this over with... The waiting, this week has been the worst part. I believe that the surgery will be fine and that life afterwards will be great! Now I just need to keep my wits about me until I arrive Monday morning and say "Give me a sedative... NOW"! After that, it will be smooth sailing ( sort of ) . What type of procedure / valve are you expecting? I am having the Medtronic's Freestyle valve (installed? sounds like auto repair!) .

I promise I'll be as helpful as I can be as soon as I can be... Be calm and cheerful as possible is my best advice for right now.

Regards,

Tom

 

[mmarshall]

hey tj...let me know if you have any questions about the prep work...during surgery...and after surgery stuff. like some of the post said....some surgeons do not recomend the ross procedure...but they fail to inform you that it is because they do not do it...i guess it's there "i am a god ego" or something...lol i went in for the ross procedure but had the medtronics stentless porcine valve done instead....my doc said it was a mess in there...lol plus with the state that my heart was in...the freestyle was a better option for me. i know its easier said than done...but in my case...the worst part of the whole operation...the stress and worry done before surgery. im not one for pain and during the whole process...i did not go through any major pain stuff...the worst was the blood drawn and the two ivs stuck in me before surgery...after that...everyting was done while is was in lala land....they even took out my throat tube before i left the surgery table. the lung tubes will get uncomfortable but not painful...it does not hurt when they take them out either. i go for my follow up tomorrow so it is going to be interesting to see what my heart looks like now....my left ventrical went down by 10mm and my ejection flow went from 20% to 33% before they even closed me up. dr. ryan is my new hero...lol

 

[twoboysdad]

I had my AVR this past October. I also recieved the stentless Aortic Porcine Valve. I am happy to report I am alive and doing fine! I just had my first ecko since the surgery and the Doc says it looks great! Where are you having your surgury? I am near Toledo Ohio which isnt all that far from you. My surgeon here is one of the best. I can give you his name if you like.

As far as the heart pillow goes, the may give you one at the hospital but the find out if they provide a device calle the Heart Hugger. The Toledo Hospital, where I Had my surgery, provides this device. Its also available at www.hearthugger.com This is a wonderfull new device that is much better than a pillo IMO. Others here will also agree.

We wish you well and hope everything goes well. Your type of work you will be down for a while. No swinging hammers for several weeks!

Good luck!

Jeff