Spot Found on Porcine Valve

[Bluegrass]

Hello all,

I haven't posted in a long time, but I would like all of you to know that I read the forums quite frequently as they are a tremendous source of support and information. I was hoping someone here might have had experience with sepsis, an infected (?) porcine valve, and what was done or could be done about it.

Last February, my 70 year old dad had his bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a porcine valve. His recovery overall went very well - he felt great! However last July he had a TIA-type incident. The doctors were unable to reach full agreement with each other that, that was what occurred (one-sided numbness which disappeared after a few hours,) but did treat it as if he had a TIA. Dad had some slight weakness which went away after a few days; he hasn't had any health concerns until fairly recently.

For the last 6 weeks, my Dad has really felt bad overall. Tired, feeling as if he were short of breath, persistent cough, profuse nightsweats, low blood pressure, among other things. He has been repeatedly going to all of his doctors, including, of course, his cardio, who assured him his heart and valve were functioning perfectly. His "legs went out from under him" the day before yesterday, and he was rushed to the hospital. Today, they told him he has "sepsis of the blood" and that they found a "spot on his valve." I'm very frightened to say the least. Although I'm awaiting further news, it sounds like his porcine valve is infected (?) or defective in some manner.

Thank you to anyone who can help with with similar experiences, or knowledge about this!

Christie

 

[EireCara]

Warm Wishes

Warm Wishes

*Im sorry I cant help you but just wanted to say, I hope your Dad gets through this as gently as possible and whatever they need to do to fix things isnt too traumatic for you all. Warm Wishes 8)

 

[Phyllis]

Christie, I have no personal knowledge of this but did a google search and came up with this:http://cardiacsurgery.ctsnetbooks.org/cgi/content/full/2/2003/857?ck=nck It sounds like what may be the situation with your Dad and I hope it helps.

 

[OldManEmu]

Not Good

Not Good

Christie, I am concerned your father has endocarditis. When I read the post and you listed the symptoms it all had a familiar ring to it as this is what it is was like for me only with my native valve when I had endocarditis. The spot on the valve my be a vegetation this is a common occurrence with endocarditis. He should have blood cultures done to determine what the infection is so the correct antibiotic can be used. The usual course of treatment is a PICC line and IV antibiotics for a month the more blood cultures. Depending on how it has affected the valve the valve may have to be replaced again.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Christie,
I can't answer what might have caused the sepsis, but when it gets to the blood stream, it VERY serious and needs to be treated immediately with intravenouse antibiotics. What kind of antibiotics they will use will depend on the variety of bug it is. This happened to me from an infection in my incision and I now realize I was sick before I realized it. I had pain in my back and I just thought it was muscle. I had no idea how sick I was . Make sure someone stays on top of this.
I hope all goes well. Keep us updated.
Barbara

 

[Nancy]

Joe had Klebsiella sepsis a couple of years ago, then recently, he had Klebsiella pneumonia, then got MRSA, then had another infection in his dialysis access lines (all three at once).

In his case, he was taken care of by the Infectious Disease specialists, who cultured them all and developed a plan of attack for the problems. He was on a 2 month course of antibiotics for the first one, and recently was on a 2 month course for the others (which all happened at the same time). This last time, he couldn't have a TEE to see about endocarditis, so they treated it aggressively with antibiotics just in case.

So far, he seems to be doing OK, heart-wise.

I have great respect for ID docs. They are some of the most detail oriented docs around.

However, your dad has a known "spot" and has to have that evaluated asap, to see if it has damaged his valve.

Wishing him all the best.

 

[tobagotwo]

It would be very difficult to determine whether the sepsis came from elsewhere and attached to the valve or whether it's a more typical endocarditis that may have taken hold there originally.

It's unlikely that a contaminated valve would wait from Feburary until now to suddenly out itself.

Hopefully, the docs will figure out the best antibiotics for him, and he and his valve will both come through intact. My thoughts are with you and your dad.

Very best wishes,

 

[Natanni]

Hi Christie

My husband had endocarditis about 1.5 years ago, with his native bicuspid aortic valve, due to strep viridans. He was followed very closely with many broad spectrum IV antibiotics until Rocephin was tailored to the specific bacteria. He had TEE's every 2 days to evaluated for vegetations on the valve, which could break off and cause a stroke. It didn't appear that he had any with the TEE's, however the surgeon saw these vegatations easily with his naked eye at the time of surgery to replace his valve. Nathan felt very sick for weeks prior to his endocarditis dx, with severe night sweats and roaming muscle ache and fatigue. Treatment was IV Rocephin at home for 6 weeks following discharge. Wishing you guys the best...

Ann

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Christie -

I have no experience with nor first-hand knowledge of this but some of the other posts I read sounded helpful. I sure hope things get better and go well for your dad.

 

[Bluegrass]

Thank you to everyone for the replies, information, and well wishes!!!!!

My dad was put under the care of an Infectious Disease expert almost right away, althought I didn't make mention of it in the original post. Today they are doing a scope (?) procedure to get a better look at his heart.

My sister just saw him today for a few minutes until she was shooed away so that they could start the scope procedure. She said that it was difficult to remained composed when she went in to visit him, as he looks very, very sick and even cried when he saw her. Neither of us have ever seen him cry ever - I am beside myself to hear that Just a few days ago, he was feeling bad, but able to go about his day albeit in a limited fashion. He is clearly worse. Dad did give permission for my sister to talk with the doctor, so we will know what the diagnoses officially are, and what bacteria or whatever they are trying to treat, and we will have an opportunity to ask all the questions that haven't been asked. The ID guy is going to call her between midnight and 4am tomorrow morning. My mom has told us that Dad looks great and is in excellent spirits, etc. This is so far from what is actually happening, and alarms me on so many levels as I'm sure you can imagine

It's been an unbearable 48 hrs. finding all of this out, and living so far away from my family. I think I'll be leaving in the morning to go down there (they are in Louisiana, I'm in Kentucky) to help support my Dad and Mom in any way I can, and to help be an advocate for my Dad in the hospital.

Christie

 

[Nancy]

Christie-

Hang tough. I know it looks bad right now, but as long as your dad is getting excellent care, he has every chance to recover. I know, I have seen some pretty bad things with my husband through the years.

Don't ever give up hope, even when it looks darkest. Your dad is alive and has doctors working with him. And there are options available for him.

Take care.

 

[Phyllis]

Hang in there, Christie. It sounds like he is getting the best of care. Your Mom was probably doing what all Moms do- trying to reassure her children and allay their worst fears. I'm sure you will feel much better when you get there yourself and can have an active role in his treatment and recovery. Our best wishes and prayers go with you and your family.

 

[tobagotwo]

Yeah, that happens with moms. My mother was in the hospital once and I didn't even find out about it until months later. They mean well.

It seems there is nowhere you can go near death and defeat that Nancy and Joe haven't already been and beaten it. Listen to this indomitable woman. Your father is in the right place and the right specialty is working on him. Help when you can and be there when you can't help.

My thoughts are with you and your family for your father's recovery.

Very best wishes,

 

[Lynlw]

Yeah, that happens with moms. My mother was in the hospital once and I didn't even find out about it until months later. They mean well.

MY parents did this to me too, when my Mom had her Abdominal Aortic Anuerism, they didn't tell me so i didn't worry. But the fact that I knew my parents are always home, but weren't for over a week, made me worry more when I was calling all over than when I finally found them.

Christie my son Had BE when is was 11 he had strep virdens, and was on vancomycin and gento for 6 weeks. I'll pray your dads recovery goes as well as Justin's. lyn

 

[Susan BAV]

Yeah, that happens with moms. My mother was in the hospital once and I didn't even find out about it until months later. They mean well.

SOME moms...