Michael's Guestbook

Hi Michael:

My name is Michael Wynn and I enjoyed and appreciated reading your story.  I am 63 and have aortic stenosis and likely a bicuspid valve with no symptoms as of yet.  My aortic valve stenosis is moderate but right on the verge of being severe.  I've been getting echos each year and about a week ago I had a video consult with Dr. Marc Gerdish, who has presented on this website several times.  It was a informative meeting and he suggested echos every 6 months and a CT scan to get a better idea about the condition of the aortic root.  Because I am in relatively good health and physically active, he said he would lean a bit more toward a tissue valve rather than a mechanical valve.  He also mentioned that there is a newer operation where they use tissue from your aorta to rebuild the valve.  However, very few (maybe only one) operation of this type has been done and so it will be awhile before he is comfortable suggesting it. I am just wondering what type of valve you ended up getting and the reason you (and your doctor) chose the type of valve used.  Thanks, Mike

Hi Michael,

I have been diagnosed with severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis in the last two weeks.  I do not have any symptoms that I know of either.  How did they decide when to do your surgery?  Hope all goes well for you!  This is what I will be facing soon also!

Sherri Waineo

Hi Michael!! I'm David, living in Australia. Got diagnosed with AS 3 years ago and also totally asymptomatic -- in fact still training hard in the gym and not so long ago completed 12 minutes on the Bruce Protocol stress test. But my AS is now severe and I am on the list for the op. Tomorrow I am having a catheter angiogram. Keep us updated on your journey, I for one would love to follow you. Cheers, David.