Bill's Photos

I want to share my recent battle with a blood infection in the event anyone reading this not aware how dangerous a blood infection can be if you have bio-prosthetic aortic valve (as well if you don’t have a bio-prosthetic valve). In 2018 at the age of 55 I had open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. I had a successful surgery and a strong recovery. Over seven years later I continue to exercise/run almost daily. I also have four stents in my Circumflex Artery and two stents in my Right Coronary Artery. Last month I spent 16 of 21 days in the hospital with 12 consecutive days in the hospital. I went to the ER with breathing issues and chest pain and was diagnosed with complete heart block. My heart rate was in the high 30s/low 40s, so a pacemaker was implanted and I went home the next day with a normal heart rate and 100% pacing in the lower chamber. I didn’t feel good the following week. Eight days after getting the pacemaker I had a 103 fever and went to the ER again. The bloodwork showed I had a blood injection. The doctors were unsure of the source—possibly the pacemaker, a recent dental visit, a tick bite in late April, a cut, or something else. They immediately put me on antibiotics. I was transferred to Sentara Heart Hospital. I didn’t know this at the time but there was the possibility I could need emergency open-heart surgery if the infection had spread to my valve. A TEE later showed no bacterial vegetation around the valve but it wasn’t able see the entire area. Two days later the pacemaker was removed due to the infection. The good news is my heart rate returned to normal and I didn’t need another pacemaker at this time. I see the electrophysiologist in two weeks to follow-up on the peacemaker. I’ve been on two IV antibiotics—Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone. A PICC line was placed in my arm for long-term IV access. I’m on daily infusions of the aforementioned antibiotics for five weeks. Each day my wife gives me the two antibiotic infusions through the PICC line. My cardiologist since 2014 was on vacation out of the country while I was in the hospital for the blood infection. I met with him last week. He told me that a blood infection with a bio-prosthetic aortic valve can become life-threatening very quickly and said I was fortunate I came to the ER when I did. He said the most important doctor on my team is the infectious disease doctor, who I see next week. He said if additional antibiotics are needed, don’t question it—we have to make sure the infection is completely gone because of the valve. One of the tests/procedures showed that my bovine valve is getting calcified. October will be the 8th anniversary of the valve replacement. I’m incredibly thankful for the doctors, PAs, nurses, my wife, and everyone who have helped me during my current health situation.