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I had a TAVR 2 years ago and just had my echocardiogram done. They found a blood clot in the aortic valve causing the leaflets to move slowly.
Has ...Read more
I had a TAVR 2 years ago and just had my echocardiogram done. They found a blood clot in the aortic valve causing the leaflets to move slowly.
Has anyone experienced this post TAVR?

Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?
Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Ibrahim Sultan
Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?

Upcoming Patient Surgeries
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Hello! My name is Dr. Alfredo Trento and I am a cardiac surgeon having graduated from University of Padua, Italy in 1975. To date, I have performed approximately 7,500 cardiac surgeries, of which 4,000 involved heart valve procedures. I regularly perform surgery at Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. Read more...
I believe my greatest strength is superb surgical outcomes.
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I try to exercise every day (avg 60-90 min/day) and have built up some collateral arteries. But still struggle with low coronary blood flow. Is this common, or am I just that unlucky 1 in 1000 🥹?
Any insights the community can provide would be really appreciated!
Take care everyone!
Bill.

[May 30, 2025 Update: Great news! Our patient webinar, “Ask Dr. Gerdisch Anything”, with... Read More.
Our recent webinar, “6 Expert Tips for Heart Valve Patients", was fantastic! During the... Read More.
Mechanical valves last for a really long time but require blood ... Read more
Mechanical valves last for a really long time but require blood thinners for life. Cow-valves don’t require blood thinners but wear out in about 15 years. Ross Procedure (if you are a candidate) lasts longer than a cow-valve, doesn’t require blood thinners, and has better longevity statistics. However, it is a longer/riskier surgery with a longer recovery protocol. My surgeon wants my BP < 120 for a year while the pulmonary valve gets used to its new home. I’m trying to get used to my baseline BP being in the 100s.
Also, if you are under 60, you should think about what your prospective 2nd/3rd procedures look like if you don’t get a mechanical valve.
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Wishing you good luck for your surgery . "
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Nancy has had high blood pressure for years and has been following with a cardiologist to monitor her heart. Her cardiologist told Nancy that she now had aortic stenosis that needed treatment or she was more ... Read more.
Nancy has had high blood pressure for years and has been following with a cardiologist to monitor her heart. Her cardiologist told Nancy that she now had aortic stenosis that needed treatment or she was more likely to have a stroke or heart attack. Nancy went to see Hemal Gada, MD, president of UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Central Pennsylvania and structural interventional cardiologist.
Dr. Gada recommended transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). She was home the next day after her procedure, and even took a walk down the street to show her neighbor how well she felt. Nancy says, “I would do it again, because it was so easy.”

I had no relationsip with my surgeon - he was not cocky or arrogant, just not really there for patients - too busy running the cardio-vascular department and called in for surgery that he knew how to do. He told me decisions would be made once I was opened (told me later) and he also made no promises of a quick recovery, saying it would happen when it happens.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?
Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Ibrahim Sultan
Moderate Aortic Stenosis Risks: What Should Patients Know?
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
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Dr. Doolabh is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed over 3,000 heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.