Victoria's Guestbook

Hello Victoria, There was no explanation why the valve went bad so fast. It is the kind of tear they see 7-10 years down the line. That's what the cardiologist said.

2 years after my surgery I went in for my annual echo and they found a tear in one of the leaflets. Dr. Gillinov said this was only the third time in his career that this happened, lucky me. He told me I could go with a pig valve if I'm leaning towards another tissue valve but he recommended that I go with a mechanical valve this time so I don' have to go through this again. The fact is tissue valves will eventually fail and you will need a second heart surgery. Why I went with a tissue valve the first time? I don't know. Knowing that I would need a second heart surgery, I had to be out of my mind. You kind of get a little worried when they start talking about the pros and cons of blood thinners, Coumadin. At least the mechanical valve is designed for life. I have no problem with blood thinners. I had to change my diet a little bit, no big thing. Well that is my experience, Victoria, I hope it helps in some way. All the best.

Hello Victoria, I had Dr. Gillinov perform heart surgery on me not once but twice between Aug 2010 & Dec 2014. I Went with a cow tissue (aortic} valve the first time and it went bad in only 2 1/2 years. In Dec of 2013 I went with a Mechanical valve. There designed for Life. Dr. Gillinov is a very special person. Beside his skill's as a surgeon, as a person his confidence just pours right out of him, you really start to feel it. His bed time manner is great. He makes your feel like you can run through a brick wall and that everything will be alright. All we can do is put ourselves in the best of hands and you did. That's all we can do. I picked the Cleveland clinic #1 Heart hospital for the last 20 yrs and Dr. Gillinov, That's the best of the best. He save my life not once but twice. Thank God its 2014 and not 1962, I wish you all the best!!

Hi Victoria, Great to meet you and welcome to our community. I just read that Dr. Gillinov is going to be your surgeon. Way to go. Doctor Gillinov is an incredible surgeon and one of the nicest guys I know. You are in great hands. If you need anything along the way, please let me know. Keep on tickin! Adam