AussiePete
New member
Hi I've been reading lots about valve options and would value comments about my particular situation.
My history
- fell on my head as 2yo - hospital - he has a heart murmur
- 12yo fainted in 200m running race - hospital - definite heart murmur go to cardiologist
- cardiologist - yes aortic heart murmur - see me every two years
- age 30, had to find new cardiologist as old one retired
- new cardiologist had an echo machine! BAV Moderate to severe AR plus a 20mm diameter mixoma (tumour) in one of the heart chambers
- surgery to replace aorta with homograph aortic valve and root and remove tumour. Had to go back to surgery due bleeding - was very tough recovery
- full recovery after three months - perfect result
- 2 yearly check up with cardiologist - very healthy, very active - surfing, soccer, small kids, working hard (engineer), flying light aircraft
- age 43 ascending aorta starts enlarging very slowing
- last visit to cardiologist ( July 2015) valve has started to deteriorate ( mod to severe AR), ascending aorta now 52mm diameter
- visit two surgeons - one is the one who last did my surgery (71yo and still operating) recommends tissue valve basically believes I tolerate them well as last one lasted 21 years. Second young gun surgeon tells me mechanical is best at 53 ( my current age)
Questions I am chewing over,
- which valve!
- which surgeon - 71 yo is one of most highly regarded in country and has a helper - not sure about young gun as he told me onyx not available in my country which I have checked is not true - do some have deals with specific suppliers?
Ps tumour never grew back
My history
- fell on my head as 2yo - hospital - he has a heart murmur
- 12yo fainted in 200m running race - hospital - definite heart murmur go to cardiologist
- cardiologist - yes aortic heart murmur - see me every two years
- age 30, had to find new cardiologist as old one retired
- new cardiologist had an echo machine! BAV Moderate to severe AR plus a 20mm diameter mixoma (tumour) in one of the heart chambers
- surgery to replace aorta with homograph aortic valve and root and remove tumour. Had to go back to surgery due bleeding - was very tough recovery
- full recovery after three months - perfect result
- 2 yearly check up with cardiologist - very healthy, very active - surfing, soccer, small kids, working hard (engineer), flying light aircraft
- age 43 ascending aorta starts enlarging very slowing
- last visit to cardiologist ( July 2015) valve has started to deteriorate ( mod to severe AR), ascending aorta now 52mm diameter
- visit two surgeons - one is the one who last did my surgery (71yo and still operating) recommends tissue valve basically believes I tolerate them well as last one lasted 21 years. Second young gun surgeon tells me mechanical is best at 53 ( my current age)
Questions I am chewing over,
- which valve!
- which surgeon - 71 yo is one of most highly regarded in country and has a helper - not sure about young gun as he told me onyx not available in my country which I have checked is not true - do some have deals with specific suppliers?
Ps tumour never grew back
Just went to edit and the whole darn post deleted just like it did last week !!!! 
