Comments on: Aortic Root And Aortic Valve Replacement – Taylor Shares Lots Of Good Information

By: Paul Murphy

Paul Murphy — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:38:26 +0000

I am 51 years old and had an aeortic root and valve replacement 9 years ago. The operation was successful but I had some problems early on which I would like to share. (1)I had to be re hospitalised 2 weeks after surgery due to an irregular heart beat.
Luckily my surgeon was attending the general hospital I was taken to
and, even though my blood count was not critically low told them to give me 2 pints of blood.They then cardioverted me and I have not looked back since.(2) I know this sounds stupid but the sound of my mechanical valve drove me nuts for 6 months,but like everything else you get used to it.(I wouldn’t be without it now (pardon the pun). For all of you who are wrestling with which surgery to go for,let the consultant advise you.He knows more about than you do.

Best Regards

Paul from Ireland

By: frank

frank — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:31:25 +0000

I had a mechanical valve/ascending aortic replacment done 4/28/2010. That date was also my 70th birthday. I originally wanted a tissue valve because of my age and the coumadin. The surgeon recommended the mechanical valve. My other arteries were that of a 30-40 year old man. He also said stiching the aortic replacenent to the mechanical valve was easier and more successful. I have no current problems. My coumadin level is stable and I get tested once a month. I play golf 4 or 5 time a week. I walk 18 hole on a very hilly course. The ticking valve is hard to ignore. The concern about coumadin is fading. I am glad I had the operation when I did(5.0 cm). The anuerysm was paper thin. The surgery was done at Passavant in Pittsburg. I am scheduled for an echo in the next 2 weeks. As for now I do not need a stress test. The recovery period (about 2 month-no golf) was tough. I still have some chest discomfort but everything is back to normal. t

By: BenjaminJC

BenjaminJC — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:18:09 +0000

After 7 months of DILIGENT research I had no choice but to have surgery to address a 6.1cm ascending aortic aneurysm. I interviewed over a dozen doctors, and programs across the country; and I decided on someone reputed to be the best in the country for Aortic surgery. His name is Dr. Allan Stewart and he works out of Columbia Presbyterian in the city. He is only one of two guys in his caliber; the other is Lars Svenson from the cleveland institute. Most people regard Stewart as the best in the country.

I opted NOT to have the Ross procedure because my valve and all other aspects of my heart were perfect. 90% of the doctors I spoke with said they only recommended the Ross Procedure for children, and some had unpleasant experiences doing “re-ops” on Ross Procedure patients.

I sure am glad I went with the “valve-sparing” procedure, and not the ross procedure. Besides all of the research I did, something just didn’t sit right with me about cutting off my perfectly working pulmonary valve, just in the name of it lasting longer and being more efficient than a homograft, etc…. I feel if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Anyway, my experience overall was incredible; and I feel like a million bucks. I guarantee I can run circles around most people half my age, and my scar is nearly invisible compared to most patients I know who have had similar surgeries. That’s because Dr. Stewart is a relentless surgeon who takes into account every single last aspect of surgery, including the brilliant “valve sparing” method, as well as making sure at the end that I would look good at the beach with my shirt off!!

Benjamin

By: BenjaminJC

BenjaminJC — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:47:11 +0000

After all the panic I saw one of the best “aorta” surgeons in the country; Dr. Stelzer based out of Mt. Sinai in NYC. Just as I suspected, most of the average doctors simply referred to a textbook when evaluating my condition. They looked up the size of my aorta and said “oh that’s conditions for surgery”. Dr. Stelzer drilled WAY down on every single aspect of my condition including the fact that the measurements between my sonogram and 180 slice ct. scan were inconsisitent. After further scrutiny he pointed out that the ct. scan measuring the aorta was on a tilt, and therefore could have measured bigger. Ie…if you cut off a broomstick at a 90 degree angle you get one diameter, but if you cut it at an angle instead; then obviously the diameter is going to be bigger He clearly showed me this on the ct scan. He also brought up the idea that since it is a ct scan, we don’t know if the heart was in systole or diastole…..(was it beating during the time the picture was taken?) which would slightly make for an enlarged measure . Furthermore, most of the other doctors enjoyed the easy way out by simply referring to their “text books” instead of being cutting edge, and looking deep into things. Most of the other doctors were okay with the expertise of the anesthesiologist, etc…. Dr. Stelzer looked at every single thing himself and analyzed it. He also showed me a study that compares BSA, and many other things relative to aortic size. See it here:

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/1/169

This all makes a hell of a lot more sense to me, and so I’m waiting to have my surgery. He said I should have an MRI in six months to pacify the anxiety of my wife, but I’m sold. This is a lot more logical to me and proven with science than a doctor making a recommendation based on “tradition”. Believe me; i’m not going under the knife unless absolutely necessary. I don’t care what anyone says; you’re never the same. Yes you can still live a fruitful life, etc… and be active; but you are never the same. I don’t want to gamble with my health, but i’m not going under the knife until ALL stones are turned and everything is laid out and makes sense. All too often people settle for easy answers.

By: travis

travis — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:04:39 +0000

hello all. i’m 36 yearold male withh marfan’s syndrome. i’ve had mytrol vavle replacement (about a yaer and half ago), and am now facing aortic vavle and assending aorta procedure. I would just like to say that first sometimes surgery isn’t all ways about what you want. i’ve been married for 15 years and have a 14 yearold and an 11 year old, I can’t be selfish and say I won’t have this surgery done. i’m scared or what ever. I need them but , god willing, they need me. whose going to show my son how to take care of his family? or teach my daughter what a good man is? I don’t want this and I don’t think anyone here asked for any of this, but the reality is, here we are. and size doesn’t matter i’m 6′ 9″ and 250 pounds, at last check 8% body fat.i’m a pretty big guyand have always done what I wanted, footbakk, state champ basketball 2 years in a row. I still means i’m going to have surgery. yell ya’ll begood soap box time is over. and thanks I really needed to vent

By: Jeff Smink

Jeff Smink — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:01:11 +0000

Taylor,

Thanks for the great information. I had aortic root surgery 12 years ago using one of the valve sparing techniques and the Hemasheild implant. My surgery was emergency and at the time was very thankful for the surgeon saving my valve. I now need another surgery and we will need to replace the valve. I am a distance runner and log around 40-50 miles a week and I am excited to hear that you are physically active. I have a genetice defect and in the last twelve years have developed two other anueryisms, one in my femeral artey and another on the descending aorta. My surgery is scheduled for 7/21/09 and I am going to have the surgery at Duke. My first surgery was performed at Lehigh Valley Sacred Heart in Allentown Pa and my cardiologist there has had me under care for the last three years with the folks at Duke. I too knew that Dr. Chad Hughes was the right surgeon for this task.

Once again, Thanks.

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:18:32 +0000

Benjamin, I read your post a couple of days ago when I found this site. I had my aortic valve replaced well before you were born. It is still in place. As I said in my previous post I learned about 8 years ago that my aortic root was enlarged. So I will have both replaced in June.

Over the course of the last thirty eight years I have led a very active life. I have been a runner, took up downhill skiing when I was 38, biked, rowed basically did anything I wanted to do. I never had any restrictions. I have been on coumadin for all of this time and have only a few minor problems mostly my fault.

This surgery you face is not the end of the world. It is unpleasant to a degree, but very manageable and in a month or two you will be wondering why you were so worried.

My take on this is that I feel pretty fortunate to have had the last 38 years, fortunate that they found my current problem and fortunate that it is treatable. There are people in the world with much greater problems than ours to be sure. I have watched a couple of friends that endured a slow and painful death due to cancer. So, pal count your blessings.

If you don’t believe the doctors you have get a second or even a third opinion. Likely they will tell you the same thing. Then if you don’t want to have the surgery don’t have it. It is your choice. Surgeons do not operate for the hell of it. Your perspective on this is is completely wrong.

Bottom line it is your life, your decision. But I would think you would not want to take the chance that your kids won’t have you in their lives when they grow up. You have a family and responsibilities, sometimes you just have to play the hand you are dealt. There is really nothing to be angry about, it is what is you deal with it or you don’t and you enjoy the benefits or suffer the consequences either way.

One last comment, after reading your post I can see why your family is freaked out. You need to show them that you have the courage to face this problem. Go through it together and your family will be all the stronger for it. You will appreciate the life you have, just like I have for the last 38years and hope to for the next 38 years after this is over for me in June

Peace

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:50:07 +0000

Not sure about Baltimore,but I suggest going ot see Dr.Vatsia at North Shore Hospital in Long Island,NY.
He is awesome!!!
2 1/2 years post OP Ross Procedure

By: dALE

dALE — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:55:08 +0000

I had a Kay-Suzuki prosthetic aortic valve implanted in 1971 when I was 21. About 8 years ago my cardiologist noticed that my aortic root was enlarged. Now the root is 6.0cm and surgery is recommended. Since the valve is now nearly 38 years old it makes sense to replace both the valve and the aortic root. I now live in Baltimore and am in the process of selecting a surgeon for this surgery, which must be done in the next several months.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a surgeon in Baltimore? I would be interested in any thoughts or experiences.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:26:55 +0000

Benjamin,
First of all, see another cardiologist and get a second opinion and get a couple of opinions from surgeons as well. Next, relax a bit, heart surgery is tough but as you can see, there are many positive outcomes. I am only 35, very active and fit, and completely asymptomatic before my mitral valve repair in December. I just celebrated my 4 month anniversary and am doing pretty well, not back up to full speed yet (meaning no snowboarding or long bicycle rides), but soon I expect to have more energy than ever. Remember that once you damage heart muscle by letting a condition go on too long, you cannot get that back. It is better to fix things while you and your heart are still healthy. You are trading a rough year for a longer and healthier life. Good Luck Lisa D. RN