Post surgical coronary artery blockage due to scar tissue on graft

[alive]

I had a bentall procedure performed last June and have since had episodes of tachycardia, brachacardia, a-fib and v-fib. I currently have a 2 lead pace maker with the top lead turned off because it is not needed and the bottom lead is set at 60 and only needs to activate .2% of the time. Getting the right doctor is very important.

During the last 6 months I had been experiencing episodes of extreme chest/heart pain which my doctors were attributing to my past experience with a neurological disorder called RSD. I not give up and ended up seeking help from the Mayo clinic in Phoenix. If I had not gone I would not be posting this. They found that scar tissue was growing up the Dacron graft and blocking blood flow to my right and left coronary arteries. I was able to receive a stent in the left, but the right was to far gone.

Does or has any one else have any advice, been thru something like this or just wants to share.

I am 53 and was born with a biscuspid valve and elected to have the pig tissue valves because I did not want blood thinners. I am now taking blood thinners. The right doctor is very important!

 

[Roberta]

Hi Alive,

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear of this post surgical complication. I personally don't have experience with this, but hopefully someone else will come along to share.
Wishing you all the very best,

 

[alive]

Hi Roberta,

I found this site by accident, searching for information. This have site appears to have really good people giving compassionate, supportive and informative answers, which is what persons in my/our situation need. I have also had some really excellent surgical and medical care during all these complications.

 

[alive]

I finally found a good local cardiologist. We went over all the records I brought with me from leaving the Mayo Hospital; he understands my needs both as a patient and as a person. Looks like I will need to have bypass surgery, as I still have severe angina and the fact that I was only able to have the stent put in the right main. The left was to far gone from the scar tissue. Just waiting for the original Dr. that performed the aneurysm repair and root and valve replacement to call me to see if I will go back to him. Not too thrilled about having to opened up again in only a years time, but those are the cards in am being delt. I wonder if as long as they are in there they can replace the pig tissue with mechanical, so I do not have to go through this again in 7-10 years.

 

[karla]

So sorry you have had these problems. I think your question about replacing your tissue valve with a mechanical valve is a good question. Please let us know how things go and what your original surgeon has to say. Keep up your good attitude!