Chris's Profile

UPDATE: After 15 years with my bovine valve it was finally time to have it replaced. Much to my surprise my mitral valve was also stenotic and the tricuspid had increased regurgitation. Since I was now living in AZ I needed to find another surgeon. I always thought I would go to Mayo but my new structural cardiologist (who studied at Mayo) referred me to Dr. Orazio Amabile at Banner University Hospital in Phoenix. My first air was only 21 mm so he was hoping to enlarge the area and insert a bigger valve so if I needed a 3rd surgery I could have TAVR. Well that didn't come to fruition because my existing valve is very close to my coronary artery. On 1/7/26 Dr. Amabile replaced my aortic valve, mitral valve and inserted a tricuspid ring. My hospital stay was longer (8 days) & a bit more difficult but other than my scar, people tell me that they would never know I had such a complicated surgery. I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation 12 years prior to my surgery. At 58, when an echocardiogram revealed an enlargement of the heart, my cardiologist said it was time for surgery. I interviewed 3 surgeons - 1 in NYC; 1 in PA and 1 in NJ. Hoping to have a repair, I chose Dr. Bavaria at UPenn because he was only one of a handful of US Surgeons performing an el khoury aortic valve repair. Unfortunately once on the table it was discovered I was born with a quadricuspid aortic valve and was not a candidate for a repair. I had an Edwards 3300TFX bovine tissue valve replacement. My recovery went very well and I was home by Day 5. Adam's book and another heart valve forum allowed me to be fully prepared for my surgery and the aftermath. Knowing I will someday need another replacement, I want to keep in touch with this wonderful community.