About Me (In My Own Words)
In March 2018 I was diagnosed with moderate/severe aortic stenosis (asymptomatic) accompanied with an ascending aortic aneurysm. I have a bicuspid aortic valve. My next echocardiogram and cardiologist visits are scheduled for 2/25 and 3/5. There is an increasing probability due to the passage of time and the emergence of exercise induced shortness of breath that I will require valve replacement and aorta repair. I am considering going to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion and surgery. I am also considering having surgery done in Rochester at Strong Memorial Hospital, UR Medicine Heart & Vascular Valve Center, surgeon Dr Peter Knight.
I am an active 68 year old male with a bicuspid aortic valve in very good health. I enjoy hiking, biking and running (have run marathons in my 20s and 30s.) I had my upper left lung lobe removed in 2004 to remove an aspergillosis (fungus ball) growth that developed when I had sarcoidosis (about 2000.) Average pulmonary function. Never smoked. 5’9”, 154 lbs. BP normal.
EF: 55% (2018)
AV: bicuspid, heavily calcified
AV mean pressure gradient: 36.5 (2018), 29.4 (2017), 26.6 (2016), 24.0 (2014)
AV area: .95 (2018)
AV regurgitation: mild (2018)
MV regurgitation: mild (2018)
LV (2018): size normal, mass mildly elevated 123.1 grams, systolic function normal, diastolic dysfunction grade 1 mild, hypertrophy
TV regurgitation: mild (2018)
Aorta (2018): root-mild dilation 4.0cm, ascending-moderate dilation 4.2cm, mild regurgitation
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Rochester, NY
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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
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My hospital is:
University of Rochester Medical Center
