valve replacement in cath lab

[Lynlw]

here is a link to a girl who just had her pulm valve replced by a cath, I'm guessing it is not her first replaced valve, I know people here were wonderring if it would be able to be used for redos, Lyn

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...1102/heart_surgery_051102/20051102?hub=Health

 

[Ross]

Well we've heard of one good outcome, wonder whats on the flip side of that coin? I don't mean to be a kill joy, but there are somethings that I just can't see happening anytime in the near future.

 

[Lynlw]

well actually it was 6 good outcomes, I think it will be routine pretty quickly. there are alot of advances that have been made just since we got dragged into the CHD world 17 years ago, things that others never thought would happen, so I'm pretty hopeful, Lyn

 

[aussigal]

Nice story...

i guess this is what my Doctors are waiting for hey Ross!...

So they dont need to put a great big scar down my front

These darn kids heal so easily and quickly too, its no-wonder they chose them to try it out on a youngin. She does look good tho nice rosy cheeks and all.

I have heard/read that these will be the "norm" in about 15 yeras or least that is what these Docs. are expecting to happen.

 

[Natanni]

Interesting!!!

Interesting!!!

Thanks for the link! It is an encouraging story! What a pioneer this 14 year old is! I am a little unclear on the specifics (how do they remove the native valve? and how in the world does the implant stand the turbulance over time?? Is it as secure as a valve stitched manually? What is the incidence of bleeding, and how is that controlled?) When we place a graft in the abdominal aorta position via similar technique as the article, it is slid into place and opens much like a flower blooming. A once 4-6 hour surgery turns into a 2 hour case. What amazing advancements are being made!!

 

[Phyllis]

Thanks for the post- it gives hope to all of us!!

 

[Lynlw]

you know, I was wondering the same questions, my thoughts were it stays in place kind of how stents do. speaking of stents and advancements. justin has a conduit (RVOT)that goes from his right ventricle to his pulm artery, origonally it was made mostly of his own heart tissue that was basically filetted and flipped over so it was still connected to his heart and therefor grew with him, hopefully there was a chance that his conduit wouldn't need replaced every few years as he was growing like the dacron ones did. it kind of worked, (didn't have it replaced until last may when he was 17)but he had problems w/ calcification and scarring which blocked it. so when he was 10 they had to cut a section out and patch it (using more little pices cut off his heart) but the cardiologist said, it's a shame if wewere in europe, I could just stent this open in the cath lab and he wouldn't need the surgery. well 2 years later it blocked again, but this time they were able to use Stents on it, which was such a wonderful thing, they were able to baloon the stents a couple times as he grew until he had the conduit replaced this year. Those stents saved him from having a couple surgeries. Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw

 

[aussigal]

cardiologist said, it's a shame if wewere in europe, I could just stent this open in the cath lab and he wouldn't need the surgery.... Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw

mmmm,,,I really am beginning to wonder how far away this technology is...maybe its closer than 15.......

statements like that from lyns' boys' cardio would break my heart as a mum...but also give hope for the future...

I was also under the impression it just opened-up like a flower.

 

[Ashley]

No matter how far away these procedures are - it is encouraging that they are at least on their way. Dr. Horlick did my cath in July -- too bad he couldn't have just switched the valves while he was at it! Amazing!