macdaddy
Glen
TAVR vs Mini-AVR…My Delema.
So, in 2022, my GP didn’t like what she heard in my heart and asked to set me up with a Cardiologist for an exam. Went to the appointment, first thing, before she came in, they did an EKG. Drugs we recommended…I declined. More tests needed…okay…echocardiogram, chemical stress test, etc. Results were a “moderate” aortic stenosis. More drugs offered, once again declined. Were it not for the tests, I would have never known. I am 100% asymptomatic.
Doctor said “we will keep an eye on it, you are probably 10 years away from needing anything done. Went back 6 months later, pretty much the same…more drugs recommended, more drugs declined. Went back 8 months later, her assistant comes in the room and spouts of statistics I have never had explained to me, and summarizes I am now severe and need to schedule replacing the valve. “Who are you again?”, “I’m the doctor’s aid”.
Finally, the doctor comes in, tries to explain all the numbers to me, and comes to the same recommendation. So, I asked “what happened to 10 years?”, “It just goes that way sometimes”. “But I have no symptoms…none!” “Doesn’t matter.”
That is when the aid starts talking about TAVR, and I begin my research. A gentleman I met in the park directed me to this site; he had had a widow-maker and survived, with the insertion of a mechanical valve.
I had issues with my medical insurance that lead to some delays and I have finally been assigned my cardiac surgeon. Met with him today, great doctor (did my research) with lots of cred and experience. He introduced me to Mini-AVR, via an opening through the ribs. He is suggesting this over TAVR as I’ve got a bicuspid and, as he explained it, this makes it hard to get a “seat” for the TAVR as the larger leaf tends to push the device a little off center; leaving potential for mild leakage.
He also stated that with the TAVR, there is a 10% chance of needing a pacemaker, as there’s an electrical pathway to the heart that runs right next to where the valve will be expanded. This is much less likely with the Mini-AVR method.
He said the recovery is a little longer than TAVR, but not as involved as actually cracking the sternum. He said the valve statistically lasts longer than the TAVR, and in 15 years…if needed…they can then do a TAVR and there will be a great seat for it.
I turned 72 in April, in quite good shape (minus a few pounds) and very active. Still working 11-hour days, walking job sites, meeting with Customers, etc. I have been reading this site for well over a year; a LOT of very knowledgeable people in here, but I have never seen this procedure mentioned (at least not this exact term) and would really appreciate any helpful feedback.
So, in 2022, my GP didn’t like what she heard in my heart and asked to set me up with a Cardiologist for an exam. Went to the appointment, first thing, before she came in, they did an EKG. Drugs we recommended…I declined. More tests needed…okay…echocardiogram, chemical stress test, etc. Results were a “moderate” aortic stenosis. More drugs offered, once again declined. Were it not for the tests, I would have never known. I am 100% asymptomatic.
Doctor said “we will keep an eye on it, you are probably 10 years away from needing anything done. Went back 6 months later, pretty much the same…more drugs recommended, more drugs declined. Went back 8 months later, her assistant comes in the room and spouts of statistics I have never had explained to me, and summarizes I am now severe and need to schedule replacing the valve. “Who are you again?”, “I’m the doctor’s aid”.
Finally, the doctor comes in, tries to explain all the numbers to me, and comes to the same recommendation. So, I asked “what happened to 10 years?”, “It just goes that way sometimes”. “But I have no symptoms…none!” “Doesn’t matter.”
That is when the aid starts talking about TAVR, and I begin my research. A gentleman I met in the park directed me to this site; he had had a widow-maker and survived, with the insertion of a mechanical valve.
I had issues with my medical insurance that lead to some delays and I have finally been assigned my cardiac surgeon. Met with him today, great doctor (did my research) with lots of cred and experience. He introduced me to Mini-AVR, via an opening through the ribs. He is suggesting this over TAVR as I’ve got a bicuspid and, as he explained it, this makes it hard to get a “seat” for the TAVR as the larger leaf tends to push the device a little off center; leaving potential for mild leakage.
He also stated that with the TAVR, there is a 10% chance of needing a pacemaker, as there’s an electrical pathway to the heart that runs right next to where the valve will be expanded. This is much less likely with the Mini-AVR method.
He said the recovery is a little longer than TAVR, but not as involved as actually cracking the sternum. He said the valve statistically lasts longer than the TAVR, and in 15 years…if needed…they can then do a TAVR and there will be a great seat for it.
I turned 72 in April, in quite good shape (minus a few pounds) and very active. Still working 11-hour days, walking job sites, meeting with Customers, etc. I have been reading this site for well over a year; a LOT of very knowledgeable people in here, but I have never seen this procedure mentioned (at least not this exact term) and would really appreciate any helpful feedback.
