root replacement-valve OK

[Jennie]

Hi Gary,

Just reading your posts and wanted to mention that, from what I hear, there's two different valve-sparing procedures. The one, as you know, was developed by Dr. David of Toronto; the other was developed by Dr. Yacoub of London. I believe both use the dacron tubing. Otherwise, I don't know how they differ - maybe they are done using different surgical techniques?

Best wishes on your surgery,

-Jennie

 

[gary47]

Jennie

Jennie

Thankd Jennie you are basically right-from what I know my Dr. (Deeb) at the University of Mich. will use a modified procedure based on Tirone David's technique--Pat Cochran at the University of Wisconisin also uses a modified verson of the David technique-are you having this procedure done?

 

[Jennie]

Hey Gary,

The surgeon I met with was originally talking about doing the Yacoub procedure - until I had the TEE and he saw that my root was dialated only 29 mm or so. If the root was the cause of my very severe regurgitation, it should've read 45-50 mm (meaning that the root is really stretched out, so the cusps don't reach each other when the valve is closed). So, this 29 mm measurement leads him to believe that my valve itself is the culprit. It appears that two of my cusps are partially fused together, so he's thinking he might be able to sew them up all the way, forming a functionally bicuspid valve. He would only attempt this sort of repair if the cusps are in good enough condition so that they would form a nice seal when brought together. If the tips are damaged, he'll do a replacement (of the valve and the section of aorta). If he can do the repair, he'll make a judgement call on the aorta when he's in there as to whether he'll put some dacron in it or not. I had met with a genetics doctor in May who said I am borderline on the Marfan's - she couldn't tell without clinical testing, which is currently unavailable due to the costs. The surgeon tells me that he doubts that my aneurysm is due to Marfan's or any sort of connective tissue disease. Rather, he believes that the blood is hitting the fused part of the valve and flipping off at a wierd angle, slamming into the wall of the aorta on the one side, causing the aneurysm.

So that's the scoop for now! I go to my cardio here on Monday to tell him all this. As of now he still thinks I can wait indefinitely on the surgery, and he wants me to get a mechanical. The Mayo folks are telling me to get this done NOW, and are offering the CryoLife homograph.

-Jennie

 

[gary47]

jennie

jennie

Hey-Jennie -thanks for your reply--my anuerysm was trauma induced-I was rear ended at 55 to 60 mph--my aortic root is only at 3.9 cm (I am an athlete and a runner-so this is kinda normal)the ascending anuerysm is at 4.7cm and growing--all my CT's (3)--esophogram (TEE) and several surface echos show my valves-sinuses and arteries are OK-I would go with a homograph or a porcine regardless of age (I am 47 years)--my doctor (Deeb U of Mich.) does not like the mechanical valves (coumidin) My surgery-I don't know if I told you-is jan 8th----I really hope to get my quality of life back-he said I will be able to continue running at 4 to 6 mos--hopefully this explains my situation--

 

[Jennie]

Hey Gary,
So it sounds like they most likely won't have to do your valve? That's great! It seems to me that you're pretty clear cut (oops, sorry for that pun!) No, really, sounds like they'll just go in, take care of that aneurysm, and send you on your way, good as new. It looks like you're in good hands, too. This time next year, it will all be a dream, just a bump in the road. You're in my prayers, especially on Tuesday. Looking forward to talking to you when you get back. God's blessings,
-Jennie

 

[gary47]

Back Home

Back Home

Back Home Surgery was a success!!!! Thanks for everyones well blessings!!!!

 

[Freddie24]

Welcome home Gary47!

When you get the chance, let me know how everything went. It was near as bad as you thought it was going to be, was it? At least it's behind you now and you don't have to worry about it anymore. Congratulations.

 

[Nancy]

Great news Gary47!

Great news Gary47!

That's wonderful. You're over the top and ready for a little hard work rehabbing your bod. It's nice to hear that you're home.

Tell us all about it when you can.

 

[Jennie]

welcome home!!

welcome home!!

Hey Gary,

I'm glad to hear you're back and still in one piece! That's wonderful. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your surgery, in detail! Meanwhile, take it easy, go get a nap!

-Jennie

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi gary!
glad to hear form you and that the worst is over. wishing you a smooth and easy recovery. please keep us up to date.
be well,
sylvia

 

[gary47]

Freddie24

Freddie24

I am really blessed being an athlete-by the results of this surgery-the doctor went in with the intention of doing a root reconstruction--he found that the root was unaffected by the anuerysm and he was able to just remove the anuerysm and repair it with dacron-and thereby not bothering my valve at all-it was a real learning exp. after being out of ICU-I met several patients who had St. Judes-mechanical nurses (including one of the midnight shift RN's) and a couple who had the porcine valves--U of Mich was a great hospital I feel so blessed. One fella in his 70's told me before disharge that he wished he would have confronted his fatigue problems 10 years earlier-because after a 10 day stay in the hospital his St. Judes valves had already given him more stamina-and he was excited about "golfing" again!!! I am really doing good!!!!!!

 

[gary47]

Jennie

Jennie

As you know I am back-the younger you are when you have surgery the BETTER-that is one aspect of my decision (later to be neccessity) that I am sure of.

 

[Jennie]

oh really??!!

oh really??!!

Hey Gary,

I sure would be interested to hear the reasonings for this! Quicker bounce-back?? Avoidance of further heart damage?? True, true. You, hopefully your dacron will last you forever! (And, by the way, I think it's FABULOUS that you came out with no valve or root work! I was so glad to hear that.) Me, I'm not in such a hurry to start the clock on a tissue valve, as I don't want more than two surgeries in my lifetime. Timing is tricky. Know what I mean?

By the way, the surgeon I saw is talking about valve replacement / root reconstruction - or something to this effect. I am not sure I have it clear. If the valve gets replaced, isn't the root part of that? My aneurysm seems to be in existance as a result of a bad flow pattern - blood hits my partially fused cusps and goes off at an angle and slams into the aorta wall. The partially fused cusps MIGHT be due to some anomaly in the root. He probably needs to replace the valve - but doesn't that include the root? And if he can repair the valve and decides also to put a dacron in the aorta, does he sew the dacron into the root, or remove the root and sew the valve straight onto the dacron? Can he replace the root without replacing the valve? (Is this what the valve sparing thing is?) What I'm saying is, I understand VALVE, I understand AORTA, I just don't understand how the root is involved.

I know you're pump-headed, so don't stress out on this. Just would like to understand this....

GO TAKE A NAP!!

-Jennie

 

[gary48]

Freddy

Freddy

Used to be Gary47 I am Gary48 now--got birthday greetings from this website and decided to stop in and see how things are going-I am in great shape--running and lifting weights (nothing heavy but alot of reps) I am running about 25 miles a week-how goes it with you?

 

[gary48]

Jennie

Jennie

Long time no hear-I hope you are doing well-Gary

 

[skimomck]

Gary,
We're from Michigan and a good friend had a valve replacement by Dr. Deeb and speaks very highly of him. Our son had a Ross done almost four years ago but his aortic root was replaced at the time of surgery and it was 5.2cm and that is holding up well. Good luck,
Cindy

 

[gary48]

skimomck

skimomck

Hey there was a football player Jesse Sapoulo (Last name-close spelling) He actually had a Ross procedure--and continued to play football with the 49'ers--Deeb did a valve sparing surgery on me-but I was prepared to use the Porcine valve if needed-My aorta was dialated due to a severe accident. Every year they are making advancements...take care Gary (Open Heart Surgery is a bear Physically and mentally-I think kids handle the mental part better)