About Me (In My Own Words)
I became aware of my heart murmur at 25, but it had never been an issue for me. I took dance, was on a dance team throughout high school and a swimmer as well. The summer I turned 60 I went to my PCP because I felt light headed, and almost blacked out at work. I also noticed fatigue and my legs feeling heavy. He sent me to a cardiologist, Dr Sinha, and she ordered an echocardiogram and a CT with contrast. The tests revealed I have Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease, or BAVD. I had mild stenosis and no aneurysm was present. Three years later, on September 2, 2023, I experienced severe vertigo with violent vomiting. I was taken to my local hospital only to be air vacced to larger hospital. My left carotid artery had dissected. I was placed on the neurology floor, treated and closely monitored to prevent a stroke. They did a CT of the head and neck as well as an MRI. The dissection was confirmed, but I had no brain damage and all my neuro checks were normal. But then they sent in a cardiologist, Dr Ahmed and thoracic surgeon, Dr Cole, to explain that I had severe aortic stenosis and a 4 cm aneurysm on the ascending aortic arch. They recommended a TAVR. But the neurologist had some additional concerns. They suspected Fibromuscular dysplasia or FMD was the cause of my dissection and we would need to wait for my carotid to heal, 3 to 6 months. My insurance refused to approve the TAVR. They said it was investigational for me. There were no trials done with BAVD patients. My brother-in-law, Dr McCluskey, is an orthopedic surgeon in Columbus, GA. He and my sister have a good friend that had had an aortic valve replacement by a SAVR. She did really well. My BIL knew the surgeon, Dr Davtyan, and discussed my case with him over lunch. Dr Davtyan wanted for me to come in to be evaluated to see my options. I saw Dr Davtyan on Jan 18, 2024. Being very thorough, he also sent me to a neurologist, Dr Valadi, and Dr. Wells, a cardiologist that specialized in FMD. They all saw my scans from September and requested further dedicated scans. I was officially diagnosed with FMD in early February. Dr Valadi requested we wait until March to reach the 6th month mark for healing of my carotid. The FMD complicates my surgery in that my arteries are more fragile so they have to closely monitor my blood pressure during the surgery and after, as well as watch the positioning of my head and neck during the surgery.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Cotter
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My surgery date is:
March 19, 2024
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My hospital is:
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare