{"id":41359,"date":"2025-08-26T16:07:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T21:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/?p=41359"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:28:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T15:28:42","slug":"second-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2025\/08\/26\/second-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"David’s Story: I Am Thankful for My Second Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"

I really enjoy getting to help patients from all over the world. This time, I was happy to support David Koskela, a patient who needed a second opinion to better understand the realities of his confusing diagnosis and disease progression.\u00a0This is David’s story in his own words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

David Says…<\/h2>\n

Here is what David wrote to me:<\/p>\n

It all started about 10 years ago when, at age 62, during an annual physical my doctor spent extra stethoscope time listening to my heart.\u00a0 What was soon discovered after several more tests, was that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve<\/a> and it was the cause of the irregular sounding heartbeat.\u00a0 Thankfully though, it was not in need of medical intervention but would require annual echocardiograms to monitor its condition.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had annual echocardiograms<\/a> since then showing the valve was still within specs.\u00a0 This past January though, a new problem was diagnosed during the echo; my mitral valve had developed severe regurgitation.\u00a0 With that result, a transesophageal echocardiogram and a heart catheterization were performed which confirmed the mitral valve issue and indicated no other issues.\u00a0 Subsequent appointments with my cardiologist and a surgeon provided a potential medical approach; repair the mitral valve and replace the aortic valve.\u00a0 Surgery was scheduled in about 4 weeks.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s goes without saying that a whole lot of thinking goes on when contemplating this surgery.\u00a0 One reoccurring thought was, \u201cShould I get a second opinion<\/a>?\u201d\u00a0 After a lot of thought, I did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Second<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Several years ago, a friend of mine had a successful similar surgery and it was performed at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center by Dr. Steven Bolling, so I contacted his office.\u00a0 Through electronic wizardry they immediately had my previous test results and diagnosis.\u00a0 In a short time, I was meeting with Dr. Bolling.\u00a0 He indicated that yes, I needed to have the mitral valve repaired but the aortic valve didn\u2019t need attention at this time. He suggested I leave it alone as it has been functioning for 72 years and has a good chance of never needing medical intervention. After considering the two options, and taking into consideration Dr. Bolling\u2019s extensive experience with mitral valve surgery, I chose to continue with him and surgery was scheduled.<\/p>\n

Surgery lasted about 6 hours in total. Repairs were made to the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve was found to need some attention also.\u00a0 I spent several days in the cardiac care ICU and then a couple days in a step-down unit before heading home.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m now 3 weeks past surgery. I had really prepared myself for an uncomfortable healing process.\u00a0 But,\u00a0 I\u2019m glad to say it has gone much better than expected.\u00a0 I had some pretty good pain the first day after surgery but since then I\u2019ve had some discomfort but very little pain.\u00a0 I believe I owe this to Dr. Bolling, his staff and the numerous nurses and professionals I came in contact with during my hospital stay.\u00a0 They were, and continue in my follow up, to be just wonderful. — David Koskela<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n