Aortic Stenosis Visualized… For You, Your Family & Friends

Hi Adam
Great article! Appreciate your time/effort in sharing this information with us all. Having recently been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and now on the waiting list for valve replacement within 3 months, I have found your book simply BRILLIANT and your articles very informative. You have taken the ‘fear of the unknown’ out of the equation and I thank you sincerely for this.
Many thanks
Nene

well. we made it thru valve replacement surgery with Dr Yang at University of Michigan’s CVC. Our son is 31 and was diagnosed when he was 2 with aortic stenosis. He had surgery when he was 6 to modify his valve. His doctor thought he would last about 10 years before needing a replacement. It’s now 25 years later and we have had a wonderful experience getting used to his new St Judes aortic valve implanted March 4th. While we are still figuring out coumadin levels, all in all he is progressing very well. Thank you for all the info and the book. It helped prepare us for what was to come. Things have changed in 25 years in this field. If you need a new project, there is not much info on living on coumadin out there. Keep on ticking…

Thanks Adam. I am still trying to find out why when they did my valve replacement there was more calcium then they thought and the new valve had to be sewn to calcified tissue causing it to still leak.

Also what that means in the future for me.

Thanks for this easy to understand explanation. I’m happy to send it on to my family members since I had this surgery two + years ago and am fine and healthy again.
Ticking and breathing easy. Maureen

I will soon celebrate my 3rd year since I had my aortic valve replaced, I had aortic stenosis, I am doing fine, I turned 72 years old last Nov. 2012. I do most anything I want to do, walk 2 miles or play pickle ball for 1 hr., do yoga. I had a heart murmur but never had any problems, thanks for all your information..life is good!

Adam,
Congratulations on a job well done. I am a graphic artist/ sign painter and your info graphic was organized very well and it was very easy to read and understandand.
The illustrations are amazing! I also like the color combinations. This should accomplish all it was designed to do!
Thanks for all you do!
Sophie Marsh – MV and TV repairs 2/26/13

Thank you. Have forwarded this to my children and siblings so that all are aware.

What determines when you should have surgery?

Thank you for all the information you provide. Your book was so helpful. I will be having my aortic valve replacement (bovine valve) surgery May 13th in Hollywood, Fl.

Dear Adam,

I had, like many others, great help from your book up to my aortic valve replacement two years ago. I was accidentally diagnosed with a congenital bicuspid valve at the age of 46 and had surgery within 6 months. My valve was strongly calcified and was replaced with a 27 mm biological valve.

Now however, only two years later, ultra sound scan estimates only 13 mm and I am told that I am probably simply a “speedy calcifier” and should be followed carefully. I would be grateful if your US network could give some views on “postoperative stenosis”. I was not really prepared for such a short lived valve and a lot of questions pile up. For instance, should a replacement be mechanical, which I know many are unhappy with, or is that not an issue?

I have followed your activities on a permanent basis and feel you may be able to facilitate some expert info on how to interprete my situation and options.

Yours sincerely, Jens from Denmark.

Jens:
I will watch for your posts. My valve was sewn into calcified tissue and I am really curious to see what my next echo will reveal. I know I still have a moderate leak. I had mine done Aug 2012. Should get an echo in June maybe.
Pat Dunham

Dear Mr. Pick-
I cam across your information about AS, as our 7 year old will be undergiong her second OHS soon. No where in your info do you address children in this info…thanks!

Just found out I need surgery right away. I had a cardiac catherization two days ago at Columbia University Medical Center. Would like to get a copy of your book. Is it available at any bookstore in White Plains, NY. Thanks for any help you can give me. I did appreciate your very understandable article.

which replacement valve do most people obtain and why?

A great help. am heading towards one of the procedures in the next week or so and have yet to determine which procedure I will be given…am 88years old but feel confident that all will go OK. My procedure is for a replacement Aortic valve
Thanks Adam

On whole, a most excellent Pt. ed. brochure.

Would inject, between Dx and Tx that people dx’d with Mi-Mod stenosis w/o symptoms, may be followed with echo every 6 mos.

Yes, the death rate from CHF is high and within a couple of years of sx onset WITHOUT surgery. But no C-T surgeon is going to rush to surgery in an early, asx case. They will work on preventing progression with statins, good BP and glucose control, and smoking cessation.

Thank you.

Hii Adam…..It is now 5 weeks since my new Aortic valve was inserted using the TAVR
procedure (in Perth ,West Aust they use the term TAVI)…..I have good days and some days when I have no energy at all (after all I am 88 years young). My family was very interested to read your book and become fully informed about procedures to replace the Aortic Valve.I received an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve.
I am now taking part in a research project on the TAVI procedure so that it can become fully accepted by the Australian Medical Authority. This entails regular check-ups for me over the next 5 years

My dad was just diagnosed and scheduling a CCC of course I’m worried, but I found your article very helpful and informative. My fears relieved immensely. Thank you.