Brian Rota - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

January 16, 2018

A little relieved I thought today's visit was going to be one where it was time to see a surgeon. My numbers didn't change so he told me we will do it again in 6 months.

Like | Civita Fahey, Lisa Hunley, Phyllis Petersen and 2 others like this

Civita Fahey Good to hear Brian.. !

Soggy Rodent It always seemed weird to me that they wouldn't do the surgery before the heart enlarged. It's yet another thing to deal with during ur recovery. It drove me insane!
Hang tough Brian :)

Barbara Laurie Surgeons and cardiologists certainly disagree and, because Cardiologists are the gatekeepers to the surgical team, well, they are very conservative at suggesting ... Read more

Barbara Laurie Surgeons and cardiologists certainly disagree and, because Cardiologists are the gatekeepers to the surgical team, well, they are very conservative at suggesting going to a surgeon. My heart was very enlarged, and my surgeon was frustrated I hadn’t gotten in years sooner, but it was what it was!

Brian Rota Thank you, my numbers have not changed since they found out about the leak almost 2 years ago. No symptoms and EF is good.

Barbara Laurie That’s great Brian, Best Wishes things stay stable! 💕

Update posted on...

July 11, 2017

Hello I just came from my cardiologist he said my heart has increased in size a little in the last 6 months. He wants to see me again in 6 months and he thinks at that time it will be time to talk to a surgeon. All of my numbers are normal nothing else enlarged. EF is 55-60 I have regurgitation with a tri-leaf aortic valve. He suggested to start looking into surgeons since he knows I like to research things. Can anyone suggest surgeon/hospital ideally in the Boston area who is willing to try an aortic repair before a replacement? He did say there are some surgeons at UPENN who do repairs. I just hate to have a replacement because that is the norm where a repair is possible. Thank you

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Joey Hardee Hey Brian - Sorry you are dealing with this. I am also in line to have aortic valve repair or replacement in the future for my bicuspid valve. Before I came ... Read more

Joey Hardee Hey Brian - Sorry you are dealing with this. I am also in line to have aortic valve repair or replacement in the future for my bicuspid valve. Before I came to this site, I didn't even know repair might be a possible option for me (and it might not) because my cardio has only suggested a mechanical valve replacement and Coumadin forever. I have been researching for a while and I think I will attempt to have either Dr. Allan Stewart at Mt Sinai in NY or Dr. Roselli or Svenson at Cleveland Clinic handle my surgery. I think all of them do repairs. I know Dr Stewart does. I am in SC and I think it is worth traveling to get the most expert care, especially when we are talking about our ticker. You may have some really good docs closer. Check out the surgeon finder and put in your zip code. Good luck with all of it. Keep us updated!

Brian Rota Thank you I will look up dr steward. I don't mind traveling for this if I can get what I want. My concern is the first two weeks not being home.

Barbara Wood Hi Brian, I had my mitral valve repaired by Dr Reed Quinn in Portland ME a few weeks ago. My cardiology team thought it was too badly damaged & would have to ... Read more

Barbara Wood Hi Brian, I had my mitral valve repaired by Dr Reed Quinn in Portland ME a few weeks ago. My cardiology team thought it was too badly damaged & would have to be replaced, then someone mentioned that Dr Quinn might be able to do a repair. I was so glad I found him- I highly recommend him, he's very accomplished. I had the surgery at Maine Medical in Portland & was very pleased with the care I got there. If you're interested type in his name in the search on this site- there is a recommendation for him you can read.

Brian Rota Thank you I will add it to my list i have just started.

Steve Farthing If you find a doc willing to attempt an aortic valve repair, don't forget to ask what the chances are the repair is not durable or that you eventually will ... Read more

Steve Farthing If you find a doc willing to attempt an aortic valve repair, don't forget to ask what the chances are the repair is not durable or that you eventually will need the valve replaced. Good info to know in advance.

Civita Fahey Hi Brian. Try Dr Prem Shaker at the Brigham. He's the chief of cardiac surgery and his CV has a lot of info on repair work. He did my surgery and he was awesome

Laura Jacobs Hi Brian, Like Civita, I had my surgery at Brigham and Women's and had a great experience. I had a different surgeon - Dr. Marc Pelletier and he was awesome ... Read more

Laura Jacobs Hi Brian, Like Civita, I had my surgery at Brigham and Women's and had a great experience. I had a different surgeon - Dr. Marc Pelletier and he was awesome too. Repair was not an option for me as the valve was severely stenotic.

Brian Rota Thank you both Brigham is probably my first choice. My cardiologist seemed to say to me that repairs are not that common?

Marie Myers When researching my options for my bicuspid valve, it seemed like replacement was far more common than repair. My surgeon gave me Dr Bavaria's name ( in Philly) ... Read more

Marie Myers When researching my options for my bicuspid valve, it seemed like replacement was far more common than repair. My surgeon gave me Dr Bavaria's name ( in Philly) for repair options, along with Dr David in Toronto who seems to be the top dog in aortic valve repairs.

Brian Rota Dr Bavaria seems to show up a lot in repair surgeons. I wonder if this is who my cardiologist was thinking of.

Civita Fahey I was told that repairs weren't common for bicuspid valves also.. usually when they get to the point where you need surgery, they are pretty stenosed.. but ... Read more

Civita Fahey I was told that repairs weren't common for bicuspid valves also.. usually when they get to the point where you need surgery, they are pretty stenosed.. but you should explore your options. There are great surgeons and hospitals here in the Boston area and as I was told by most physicians where the best place was ( I work with physicians) I was told "take your pick", they are all great.. I just felt more comfortable with Dr. Shaker at the Brigham and I'm glad I chose him. I had no complications at all and so far it seems like he did a great job.. Good Luck Brian email me if you have any questions.

Brian Rota I will thank you. I now have 3 people at Brighams to talk to.

Kathy Blank I recommend getting several surgical consults for sure!

Update posted on...

December 6, 2016

Had a six month echo to see if my aortic regurgitation is progressing. Got another six month until my next checkup. My Dr mentioned my LV may have gone up a little in size by .2 cm but could be the differences in techs and my EF is at 60% which is good so far.

Like | Cathleen DeWitt likes this

Stephanie Jones Are you mild, moderate or severe?

Stephanie Jones Echos vary from tech to tech. Luckily i had a tee which shows a much clearer picture proving the severity level of my leak, because the echo techs at my presurgery ... Read more

Stephanie Jones Echos vary from tech to tech. Luckily i had a tee which shows a much clearer picture proving the severity level of my leak, because the echo techs at my presurgery testing couldnt find the leak at all. Took a 4th doctor to find it. I explain here: https://youtu.be/qFW66ey68OM

Mitral Valve Repair Surgery - 11 Surgery consult & pretesting

had all my pretesting & New echo today - they couldn't find any regurgitation at first ---WHAT??!!

Brian Rota They say severe, but my TEE earlier this year was more moderate even though my first echo six months showed severe. Dr is telling me I am not ready for surgery yet.

Civita Fahey Hi Brian Im from Topsfield.. did your doctor tell you go to a surgeon> Im moderate/severe by echo, no TEE, but my doc told me that I would need surgery in 6 ... Read more

Civita Fahey Hi Brian Im from Topsfield.. did your doctor tell you go to a surgeon> Im moderate/severe by echo, no TEE, but my doc told me that I would need surgery in 6 months to a year, that was last April I've gone to the Brigham for a consult and he feels sometime in the spring.. be happy to discuss docs Ive gone to three in Boston if you want to talk off line.. formia0711@gmail.com

Brian Rota No he says not ready for surgeon yet. They go by a 5 /50 rule he said. My heart is keeping up with it and not growing yet. I will send you an email.