Seth's Profile

My story starts with a diagnosis of a Bi Cuspid aorta as a recommendation from my Flight Surgeon to diagnose a heart murmur. That was 2011, and during my last echo in late Nov of 2022, it appears that my aortal valve has now gotten to a state of severe stenosis. With that diagnosis, my flight physical was not able to be renewed, and a course of treatment plan for my future is in order. Im currently doing my planning and research for valve replacement surgery. So far I have consulted at UW Madison and am seeking a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. UW Doctors said I was a good candidate for the Ross procedure and that is their course of treatment for me. My second consult was with Dr Eric Roselli at CC and his treatment plan recommended, and executed was SAVR with a bio prosthetic valve. I got an Inspirs Resilia 27mm model 11500A aortic valve. I did require some grafting on my ascending aorta as well. This will probably have a 10 plus year expectancy, but i was able to get a pretty large valve so hoping that 10 is a very conservative number. Surgery was successful, recovery was a day longer in ICU because of some additional chest drainage, (and bed availability in Step down) Return to Home has been wonderful and smooth and Im slowly stepping away (trial) from pain meds at day 8. Totally impressed with UW Madison, but felt stronger about getting the largest non mechanical valve over ROSS.