Comments on: “What About Port Access For Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Taylor

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:23:22 +0000

Don Henry

I am 35 years old…had aortic valve repair as a child when I was 8 (27 years ago). I decided to have a medtronic bovine valve as my replacement based on the fact that I didn’t want to be on coumadin for the rest of my life. My surgeon felt that I would get 15-20 years out of this valve and I know I will need another operation in my lifetime. Don’t know what options will be available to me then, but I will still be young at 55 when I have to make this choice again. Who knows how things will progress? Blessings to you as you make this decision – I am comfortable with mine and know you will come to the best decision for you.

By: Don Henry

Don Henry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:13 +0000

To Rebecca:

You said this was your second surgery. Can I ask your age at the time of your first AVR and your age now ? And what type of valves did you receive? As you may have read on this blog I am facing my second surgery in the very near future and I am 65 years old. I had a Carpentier Edwards Bovine tissue valve when I was 55, so it lasted 10 years. I surely don’t want to have to have 3 surgeries, so have to decide whcih valve to get ( tissue or mechanical)

Thanks– Don Henry

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:27:02 +0000

I agree with Kerrigan. I had my aortic valve replaced on October 14 and when I asked my surgeon about a minimally invasive approach (which I was not a candidate for because this is my second operation) he said “Everyone wants me to work a miracle in the area the size of a quarter.” He did a fantastic job and I had the surgery done the “old fashioned way” I wouldn’t go back and change a thing.

By: Kerrigan

Kerrigan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:19:02 +0000

The advice I received was “give the surgeon the room he needs to do it” due to the ascending aorta section which also needed to be replaced.

With the large opening the surgeon could then see and fix anything else involved.

Each case must be treated individually is the best advice I’ve received.

By: Steve McDonald

Steve McDonald — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:44:32 +0000

Could this procedure be done with radiation damaged AV? I’M secheduled fpr surgery 11/25, my valve is .76 cm My surgeon kind of scared me with the term ” sudden death” which means at this level of stenosis the big one can happen at any time. It’s unpredictable. I have to agree with Wilmer, I think if there is radiation damage they are going to ant to have a nice big opening to work. Anyone have this level for stenosis and how long before you had surgery? I may call Mayo up on Monday 11/2 and see if I can bump up the date, he put a bit of a scare in me with the sudden death thing.

By: Wilmer Brown

Wilmer Brown — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:43:51 +0000

I think I would rather have it done the old fashion way, where they can see and feel without camera’s and probes. The zipper goes away after awhile

By: Don Henry

Don Henry — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:34:27 +0000

This may be an option for first AVR surgery and hopefully this will be the case for Taylor. I attended a seminar by Dr Marc Katz, heart surgeon in Richmond, Va and he does the robotic non-invasive DaVinci technique for mitral valve replacement, but has not done it for AVR. Dr Jamie Brown at the U. of Maryland has performed this type technique with the aorta valve, so google Dr Brown and you can read about it. I do know that this port access surgery cannot be performed on re-do operation, which is my case. I had AVR in Feb 2000 at age 55 and I will be 65 in March 2010 and will undergo anothr AVR and I’m thinking about having it done at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr Gillinov, the surgeon , who operated on Robin Williams. My decision is mechanical or tissue. I am curious as to which valve Taylor will get. Chances are if you live 10 to 15 years after your first AVR you will need another surgery.

Don