matt's Guestbook

Hi Matt- Best of luck to you. My husband is also a candidate for the David Procedure. In your investigations have you come across any surgeons who do this via a mini-sternotomy?

For what it's worth, I had the same diagnosis as you 12 years ago (at 32 years old) and at that time I was told I would need surgery within 5 years. For the past 12 years i have had annual echos, several TEEs and several CTs. A couple of months ago, the surgeon I had been seeing said the risk of surgery now approximated the risk of having an adverse event. My measurement is now around 5.2 and I'm having surgery a week from tomorrow. Hang in there with the waiting game as technology continues to improve. If I had the surgery 12 years ago, they would have replaced both my aorta and bicuspid valve. Now I will (hopefully) be having a David procedure where they will replace the aorta but attempt to save my bicuspid valve!

Hi Matt, I am also in the wait and watch period, and seeing Dr. Svensson. I, like you, would just like to get it over with but I'm told it's not quite time yet. I understand how you feel. It's hard to wait with this hanging over your head. I just found out about my bicuspid aortic valve in February and I have severe regurgitation. I do have some symptoms. Lots of palpitations and some lightheadedness. Good luck with the wait and I hope you continue to be asymptomatic.

Thanks Matt. Your probably aware of this but Cleveland Clinic has one of the top surgeons for the Valve sparing op if you need it. His name is Lars Svennson. Was planning on him for surgery till I found a great one in Chicago. Thanks and best of luck to you.