Melissa's Profile

I was born with Aortic Stenosis with no issues until 2007 when the gradient had changed to critical. Underwent minimally invasive AVR + Aortic Root Repair at NYU. After 10 years, the prosthetic valve stenosis is now severe, but not critical and I can still walk fast & up hills with no problems. Unfortunately for my 2007 AVR, I opted for minimally invasive to not have a sternum scar, however my aortic root & aortic valve area are very small so it became a bit complicated & the smallest prosthetic valve is what they eventually were able to fit (19mm). It's not good news now for this time around however, I will require a sternotomy to enlarge the aortic root, enlarge the area of the aortic valve so a big valve can be placed. I'm 37, and I still want kids.