Randy & Robyn
Well-known member
Looks like I might as well go back to posting in the presurgery forum.
I had my TEE today. This was my third this year and the only one that did not leave me with a massive two-day sore throat. Small blessings.
Anyway, my cardiologist said that the spot he saw on the TEE three weeks ago near my aortic valve is still there and has not changed in size. All of my blood cultures are still negative and I've had no trace of fever for the past two weeks. He thinks it's a 50/50 chance whether the spot is endocarditis or just a remnant of the failed repair.
In his opinion, my best two options would be either a homograft or a mechanical valve with a conduit. Needless to say, I am leaning toward the mechanical valve at this point to avoid a third surgery.
I have done lots of research on valve replacement and have run across the term 'conduit' before but I'm not sure exactly what that is. Does it replace the native valve root? What material is it made of and can it be used with any mechanical valve?
Randy
I had my TEE today. This was my third this year and the only one that did not leave me with a massive two-day sore throat. Small blessings.
Anyway, my cardiologist said that the spot he saw on the TEE three weeks ago near my aortic valve is still there and has not changed in size. All of my blood cultures are still negative and I've had no trace of fever for the past two weeks. He thinks it's a 50/50 chance whether the spot is endocarditis or just a remnant of the failed repair.
In his opinion, my best two options would be either a homograft or a mechanical valve with a conduit. Needless to say, I am leaning toward the mechanical valve at this point to avoid a third surgery.
I have done lots of research on valve replacement and have run across the term 'conduit' before but I'm not sure exactly what that is. Does it replace the native valve root? What material is it made of and can it be used with any mechanical valve?
Randy