About Me (In My Own Words)
i was born with a bicuspid aortic valve in 1960. My aortic valve was replaced with a pig valve in 1978 . The pig valve was replaced in 1988 with a St. Jude mechanical valve after a piece broke off the pig valve and lodged in my left eye. After 35+ years the mechanical valve is still ticking well. However, in 2021 after having a colonoscopy and needing to go off warfarin for that procedure, a blood clot developed and caused another issue with my left eye. After going through a battery of tests due to this stroke it was discovered that I also have a hole in my heart and the beginnings of an aortic aneurism. Most recently i have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia and high blood pressure, both of which I am being treated for. The arrhythmia appears to originate near my aortic valve and possibly caused by scar tissue around the valve. Ablation is not an option because of the mechanical valve. The valve is closely monitored (cardiologist visits and testing at least 2 times a year) because of its age. I am told that the St. Jude valve will likely need to be replaced sometime.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
SAINT LOUIS, Missouri
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My surgery date is:
November 5, 1988
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Thomas Ferguson
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My hospital is:
Barnes Hospital St. Louis
