Most Common Complication Of Aortic Valve Replacement
Denise just asked me, “Do you know what are the most common complications after aortic valve replacement surgery? My dad is getting ready for surgery and I want to know what are the potential complications I should expect.”
According to a recent study, approximately 41% of heart valve surgery patients report that recovering from cardiac surgery is more difficult than expected. One of the reasons for this high number is post-operative complications.
Whether it is a heart palpitations, broken sternum pain, fluid in lungs, incision infection, a-fib or chest-clicking, many patients are often confronted by real or perceived complications. Personally, I experienced many of these common complications after my aortic valve replacement.
As you can see on the chart below, 66% of patients responded that they encountered some form of heart valve surgery complication.
As for a specific complication that is “most common” after aortic valve replacement, I do not have that information. But, I hope that above-referenced information helps you prepare for your father’s aortic valve surgery.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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August 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I had aortiic valve repacment on 7-24-08. I was out of the hospital in 5 days. I’m 57 years old and recieved excellent care at UCSD in san diego. I returned to work after 2.5 weeks. The MAJOR post-op problem I expirenced was persistant upper back pain. I learned that during the surgery your chest is hyper extended putting a huge amount of pressure /stress on the upper back. The solution is streching exersises prior to surgery and after surgery with massage by a specialist becouse laying on your chest may not be an option. Your blog is great! Keep on ticking!
Warren O’Meara
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 am
Hi! I had aortic valve replacement and aortic aneursym repair on 9/11/08. I am a 46 year old female. My recovery has progressed well until about 4 weeks ago. I began experiencing PAC’s while on the treadmill at cardiac rehab. My doctor ordered a follow-up CT scan, which revealed the following: (I am going to type this exactly as written on my “results” card)
“Non-calcified nodules (3). Possibly due to surgery. Will follow up with CT scan in 6 months.”
I have no idea whether these nodules are in the heart or the lung (which I have been reading alot about online). Any ideas or suggestions?
I have a follow-up appointment with the same cardiologist next week, but wondered if you have ever heard of this!
Thanks!
February 18th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
This would be a great resource. My surgery was on 9/11/08, and my surgeon was WONDERFUL! I will gladly add his name to the list! Thank you!