Sam's Profile

I had a bicuspid aortic valve which was replaced in 2004 with a Medtronic Freestyle bioprosthetic valve when I was 43 years old. I have lived an extremely active life and traveled extensively visiting all seven continents and over 60 countries. I maintained a rigorous exercise regiment for my entire life and averaged jogging/walking over 10 miles per day since I retired 3 years ago. My original porcine valve operated very well until it developed a small tear in one of the leaflets after nearly 22 years and began to leak. I recently underwent a TAVR procedure to have an Edward’s Sapien bovine valve placed inside my porcine valve at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC by Dr. Vahl. I was asymptomatic but we decided to be proactive in replacing my porcine valve due to the risk of the small tear becoming a much larger one, especially given the age of my porcine valve. The Columbia valve team and Dr Vahl are truly world class and rank among the best in the world. I would highly recommend them. Having an artificial valve does not mean you can’t live a full and active life.