Prescribed deadline for surgery. What does it mean?

[clement]

Hello all,

My surgeon has recommended surgery within 6 months to avoid "catastrophic consequences due to aortic dissection and rupture". My cardiologist has recommended surgery within a few months.

What does it mean exactly? Do they mean that I would die after 6 months or that the risks would increase after 6 months?
The aortic root is 50 mm.

In other words, do they want to "kind of" scare the patient to make him act, or does the patient really have just 6 months left to live unless surgery?

Clement

 

[Mentu]

Clement, we don't like to think in these terms but when either aortic stenosis and aortic aneurism become serious they are terminal conditions. Fortunately, both of these problems can be repaired in our time and place. I think your doctors were not telling you that without surgery you only have six months to live but they are saying that your health and survival will become more problematic by then. The risk begins increasing as these disease processes become more serious. To my knowledge, neither aortic stenosis or aortic aneurism ever improve on their own. Delaying surgery leaves you more exposed to the health risk these problems cause and it leaves you to live with increased stress. It sounds to me that they were both telling you that now is the time to deal with your condition.

Larry

 

[ottagal]

Clement, we don't like to think in these terms but when either aortic stenosis and aortic aneurism become serious they are terminal conditions. Fortunately, both of these problems can be repaired in our time and place. I think your doctors were not telling you that without surgery you only have six months to live but they are saying that your health and survival will become more problematic by then. The risk begins increasing as these disease processes become more serious. To my knowledge, neither aortic stenosis or aortic aneurism ever improve on their own. Delaying surgery leaves you more exposed to the health risk these problems cause and it leaves you to live with increased stress. It sounds to me that they were both telling you that now is the time to deal with your condition.

Larry

Well said, Larry and I echo your comments.

 

[nngbwh]

Clement, we don't like to think in these terms but when either aortic stenosis and aortic aneurism become serious they are terminal conditions. Fortunately, both of these problems can be repaired in our time and place. I think your doctors were not telling you that without surgery you only have six months to live but they are saying that your health and survival will become more problematic by then. The risk begins increasing as these disease processes become more serious. To my knowledge, neither aortic stenosis or aortic aneurism ever improve on their own. Delaying surgery leaves you more exposed to the health risk these problems cause and it leaves you to live with increased stress. It sounds to me that they were both telling you that now is the time to deal with your condition.

Larry

Totally agree with Larry post.

 

[dick0236]

Hello all,

My surgeon has recommended surgery within 6 months to avoid "catastrophic consequences due to aortic dissection and rupture". My cardiologist has recommended surgery within a few months.

What does it mean exactly? ...........In other words, do they want to "kind of" scare the patient to make him act, or does the patient really have just 6 months left to live unless surgery?

Clement

It seems they are being honest and candid with you. In their professional opion, and based on their experience, you are running out of time. Obviously, they can't tell you that you will be dead in six months.....but??? Mine told me death by age 40 with a 25% chance of "sudden death" at anytime.......that was good enough for me. I am confident that if I had not taken their advice, I would not be typing this reply. If you don't trust their advice, get another opinion... or two. If you trust their advice, set a surgery date. The important thing is too NOT stick your head in the sand.

 

[Jkm7]

When discussing my valve regurgitation with my cardiologist, I think he sensed me 'dragging my feet' and clearly stated there would be a point of no return if I waited too long.

It is so hard for us to wrap our heads around 'elective' open heart surgery that our cardiologists and surgeons are trying to guide our thinking into understanding the absolute necessity of going forward, scheduling and undergoing the surgery.

All best wishes.
Most of us here will agree the decision making and wait for the date is the worst part.

 

[Greg a]

okay so a loose translation is simply SOONER RATHER THAN LATER (or never) if you know it needs to be done in 6 ,8 or 12 months or longer why put it off urge the medical community to forge forward without hesitation....life is too fragile and dear to run it like a crapshoot

 

[buncle]

You want to have it done before there is heart damage. You will have the advantage to plan out your ohs and pick a time that is best for you.Sooner the better.As Larry the cable guy would say " git er done".We are behind you 100%.

 

[Superbob]

Great answers here, I can't improve on them. Will just chime in that I think your doctor was trying to impress upon you the seriousness of this, and was not giving you word that you have just 6 months to live. No one can predict an exact end date, but the heart specialists can tell you what the ultimate outcome will be if nothing is done.

I, too, had an enlarged aortic root, in addition to a badly leaking valve. I will add that the size can increase pretty quickly in the latter stages. In the final few months, mine went from 5.0 cm to 5.5 as measured during the surgery. As others have said, you don't want to wait until there is damage to the heart, and you certainly don't want to wait for dissection, which can be catastrophic.

My best wishes to you in making a plan to get this taken care of, and to go forward with your life.

 

[clement]

Hello all.

Dick0236: I just read that you have had the same mechanical valve for 43 years! You are my new hero.

You mentioned also that you have learned "the hard way" how to monitor your INR.
What happened?