Shannon's Profile

I was born in February of 1988 and had valve repair surgery when I was 3 weeks old to correct my bicuspid valve. They found that 2 of my 3 leaflets were fused together. Since then, my diagnosis has been congenital aortic stenosis. I am now 36 years old and facing another surgery. I am married with a 2.5 year old son and have been trying for kid #2. November of last year I was diagnosed with infective endocarditis. I was treated with 4 weeks of IV antibiotics. During this time, tests revealed that my aortic valve regurgitation had worsened from moderate to severe. The hospital I was in wanted to do a valve replacement surgery but I was not prepared to make a decision at that point. It all seemed very rushed. Luckily I was in stable condition and had my cardiologist with OHSU reaching out to set up appointments with them for follow up and to discuss surgery options. I've completed my tests with OHSU and I am now narrowing down options and in search of a surgeon. My ascending aorta and valve both need to be replaced. I very much want a repair option. I was hopeful to get the Ozaki procedure but have so far been told that is not an option due to also needing my ascending aorta replaced. I am now reading up and learning of other techniques that could involve both (David procedure is one). My second option is the Ross procedure though I would like to avoid that if possible so that I do not create a second valve issue.