Where to go, who to see

[drob]

I would like some help from anyone who might know if any Hospital in Pittsburgh would carry the ON-X valve or the Carpentier - Edwards Bovine valve.
This would be my second valve replacement in 4 years. (I'm 53 now,and have a porcine valve). My first was a bit of a nightmare. Long story short. It took 12 hours, 3 openings and two grafts. (It is my under standing that the veins in my heart were pealing apart, such as an onion). My Cardiologist wants me to go to Pittsburgh as it is close, and he does not know of surgeons in Columbus, Ohio or Cleveland, Ohio.
I have had problems ever sence the first surgery. (Frozen shoulder, gout, asthma etc.) I've also had Shoulder surgery, 3 bones removed from a wrist and am looking at both knees replaced in the not too distant future. Because of the coumadin and my joint problems, I am looking to the Bovine or ON-X.
Also, does enyone know how long a heart graft should last.
My wife is gust starting chemo for breast cancer. So I told my cardologist it would have to wate till she is done with that. So I have a couple months to look.
Thanks for any help I might receive on this.

 

[Jkm7]

Oh my goodness, Drob. You certainly have been through a lot.
Very happy you found us but sorry for the reason.

I had a Carpentier Edwards Bovine valve implanted last February at Mass General Hospital in Boston and am sorry I cannot help you in regard to cardio thoracic surgery in Pittsburgh. I am sure someone will be along who can help.

BEST Wishes for your wife to have successful treatment.
Breath in, breath out. Take one step at a time and you and she will get through all this and be so happy when it is behind you and you can get on with a happy life.

You CAN do it!

 

[DebbyA]

Hi Drob,
Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you and your wife are facing a lot right now. Sorry I can't help with Pittsburgh, but if you are pretty sure about your valve choices, could you contact the manufacturers to find surgeons or heart centers that use them?

You may get a faster response here if you post with Pittsburgh or WV in the title.

Could the "peeling like an onion" have been dissection? If so, you probably should be thinking about a major heart center. Whether or not your cardiologist knows them, surely the Cleveland Clinic surgeons should be considered.
Since I have a 1-year-old porcine valve, I'm interested in why yours has only lasted 4 years?

All this is my non-professional opinion, of course...

 

[Superbob]

I am sorry you have been through so much and have so much to deal with, but I wish you well going forward.

Don't have answers for you but I know that the Cleveland Clinic is known as one of the best heart facilities anywhere and so would be a good idea to consider it.

I would think Pittsburgh, with the university there etc, woukd have a good hospital also...I think it would be a good idea to have Pittsburgh and WVA in title of the thread so people with knowledge of that area will come forward.

All best wishes to you....

 

[Lynlw]

I'm sorry you've been threw so much, since you are willling to travel, I would think about the Cleveland Clinic and I know they use the CE bovine, that is the valve they use for most of their patients. Where is your heart graft and what material did they use?

 

[Bridgette]

I'm sorry you've been threw so much, since you are willling to travel, I would think about the Cleveland Clinic and I know they use the CE bovine, that is the valve they use for most of their patients. Where is your heart graft and what material did they use?

I am sure they would use the ON-X if that was the valve you wanted.
In fact I'm sure that they would use any valve you wanted, a big place like that? Check them out for yourself, and get the facts.
Why don't you research some other places on the Internet - you might find one that is closer to home that will implant the valve YOU want..

Best of luck,
Bridgette

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Your statement that your Cardiologist does not know of any surgeons in Cleveland, Ohio makes me wonder where he has been for the last 30 years.

The Cleveland Clinic is the #1 Rated Heart Hospital by the U.S. News and Report Survery of Heart Hospitals.

Dr. Gosta Pettersson at CC has implanted at least 50 On-X Valves and CC is a BIG proponent of the Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valves. See his CC profile at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/4/staff_3006.aspx

Given your history and past difficulties, I would give CC serious consideration. For sure, you want an experienced High Risk Surgeon who is familiar with the Valve Options you would like to have. Dr. Gosta Pettersson is one of the Best of the Best and has operated on several of our members. Do a 'Search' on VR.com to find their posts.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[drob]

Thanks all for your responces. So far I have found UPMC to use the St. Jude valve or a porcine valve. However I am very computer illiterate and I am slowley getting the info I need. This was my first posting of anything, ever. (Took me 3 times and over 4 hours to do it.)
Thanks for the Dr. Pettersson link.
As for the peeling like an onion. This was the doctors discription to me. As he said; "It is not uncommon. But I had never seen it before, wasn't quite sure what to do." So he made two grafrs. I will have to look at the report to get the correct location and spelling. They were harvested from my upper thigh. One has collapsed and created a small anurisum. The other is fine.
I have a Medtronic Mosaic Porcine Valve of 23mm. Was sized for a 25mm but it wouldn't seat correctly. I started having problims less than a year after surgery. Just one of thoes people with a black cloud above them I guess.
Anyway, thanks for all your help. And I will continue to resurch.

 

[Lynlw]

Thanks all for your responces. So far I have found UPMC to use the St. Jude valve or a porcine valve. However I am very computer illiterate and I am slowley getting the info I need. This was my first posting of anything, ever. (Took me 3 times and over 4 hours to do it.)
Thanks for the Dr. Pettersson link.
As for the peeling like an onion. This was the doctors discription to me. As he said; "It is not uncommon. But I had never seen it before, wasn't quite sure what to do." So he made two grafrs. I will have to look at the report to get the correct location and spelling. They were harvested from my upper thigh. One has collapsed and created a small anurisum. The other is fine.
I have a Medtronic Mosaic Porcine Valve of 23mm. Was sized for a 25mm but it wouldn't seat correctly. I started having problims less than a year after surgery. Just one of thoes people with a black cloud above them I guess.
Anyway, thanks for all your help. And I will continue to resurch.

Don't worrry I am computer impaired too (and only type with 2 fingers lol) people here are pretty understanding and helpful. Are your grafts on the outside of your heart? coronary artery bypasses? It sounds like a possibility since they took them from your leg.