Nina's Guestbook

Hello! Nina - I had open-heart surgery on Sept. 28, 2016 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The surgery consisted of replacing the aortic valve (bicuspid) as well as replacing the ascending aorta (due to an aneurysm). Eight days after the surgery, I was implanted a pacemaker due to my heart's electrical system not connecting properly at the time of the surgery. Despite having three new parts, I have been recovering at a fast pace that not only surprises family and friends...but myself as well! I have been taken very good care of my health for almost 38 years and trust that this has played a role in my quick recovery. I did a lot of research before the surgery and had lots of questions for my surgeon. I knew that I wasn't a candidate for a mechanical valve due to my age (72) nor did I want one due to the the lifetime need to take an anticoagulant. I chose a bovine aortic valve rather than a porcine one (I prefer cows to pigs...I read that cows are highly regarded in India!) Sutureless valves are also available, so you may want to look into that. As for my bovine aortic valve - a Carpenter-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease - the surgeon said it could last 15 to 20 years. I figure that if I need another surgery down the road, by then they will have come up with newer and less invasive procedures (for now, there's the TAVI, but it's mostly for high-risk people such as the elderly). I didn't quality for the TAVI since I needed to have two replacements done. As for hospitals, I was very pleased with the care I received at the New Brunswick Heart Centre. My surgeon, Dr. Ansar Hassan, is a very qualified cardiovascular surgeon (he also teaches surgery). The former Head of Cardiac Surgery at the New Brunswick Heart Centre, Dr. Marc Pelletier, is now teaching at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., USA. He also practices at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, which is associated with Harvard Medical School. Here’s some info about Brigham’s cardiac surgery department: http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/cardiac-surgery/default.aspx On Adam Pick’s website, there is a list of surgeons and hospitals recommended by patients. I hope that I’ve answered some of your questions. Please do not hesitate to write if you have others! Jeannette