Joseph's Profile

Heart Valve Replacement - Round 2 March 14, 2024 I recently had to go back in for replacement surgery of my Aortic valve. The estimate for the bovine valve I had previously installed, was 12-15 yrs, and I was at the 14 yr mark. My EKG and stress tests showed some issues, starting a year ago, with expectation that valve would fail in "the near future". In December, I started having some more serious symptoms (breathing difficulty, losing weight, out of energy). Although the tests indicated that the valve had issues, I had a severe bronchial infection which masked the underlying seriousness of the valve failing. After clearing the infection, I went for additional tests, including a cardiac catheterization test, which showed the replacement aortic valve had failed, as well as mitral valve issues. My cardiologist and surgeon agreed I needed immediate surgery, which was scheduled at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. My new surgeon (Dr. Kendal Lawrence) trained under and assisted my previous surgeon (Dr. Bavaria), and was highly recommended. Dr. Lawrence said I may actually need 2 valve replacements, but she would make that decision once she saw the condition of the mitral valve. She replaced the aortic valve with another bovine valve, and was able to repair the mitral valve successfully. —————————— Heart Valve Replacement February 09, 2010 In December 2004 during a routine Physical prior to a Scuba Diving Trip to Australia, My Primary Physician discovered a 'Leaky' Heart Valve. She recommended I see a Cardiologist immediately. Not wanting to ruin a Perfectly good vacation (One of my Favorite destinations), I decided "immediately" could wait till my return. On my 1st meeting with Cardiologist, he scheduled several tests and was very concerned about the severity of the leakage as well as the sudden onset. The recommendation was to start thinking about surgery and to go on some drugs to lessen the strain on my heart. After several discussions and a bit of research, I decided to monitor the heart condition and not take the drugs. In Mid 2009, the condition started to worsen, with heart getting larger as well as higher percent of regurgitation. By fall, the Cardiologist was very concerned and decided to do a Catheterization test and see what was going on in my heart directly. This test confirmed my valve was on its last legs, and surgery really was needed in the very near future. (My heart was approximately double the normal size and had a refraction rate of under 35%). I met with a Surgeon in Dec 2009 who agreed I needed the surgery, but also emphasized it wasn't 'Urgent'. I learned a bit about heart conditions and that "urgent" in this world means I didn't need surgery today, but if I didn't have surgery in next few months, it would probably be too late. (Engineers and doctors have different ideas of what is urgent!) Quite a bit of research later, and several interviews, I decided on the hospital and surgeon to perform my procedure. I chose Dr. Bavaria at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It was a well recommended hospital and surgeon, and was close to where my family lives, which helped during the recovery period. Surgery was scheduled for Feb 2010, and the last words the surgeon spoke to me as the anesthesiologist was putting me under 'You Walked in here on your own?' Slight Pause, 'Good for you'. (apparently my refraction rate was down to 15%), Not encouraging last words, but everything came out very well.