Chris Germano - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

4 hours ago

Hi all, I'm heading to the Cleveland Clinic this weekend for PreOp testing. Aorta Valve Replacement Operation is 10/27, using a tissue valve. I was wondering ...Read more

Hi all, I'm heading to the Cleveland Clinic this weekend for PreOp testing. Aorta Valve Replacement Operation is 10/27, using a tissue valve. I was wondering what the longest lasting model might be... looking for any guidance available. Thanks in advance.

Corey Potter Chris, first, best wishes to you on your surgery. I had AVR on July 11th at CC with Dr. Tong. Dr. ... Read more

Corey Potter Chris, first, best wishes to you on your surgery. I had AVR on July 11th at CC with Dr. Tong. Dr. Tong and Dr. Soltez use the Abbott Epic Max porcine valve for the aortic position. There is an excellent video on Youtube (about 1 hour) that goes into great detail on this valve. Just type in Abbott Epic Max Valve and that should come up. They have been using this predominately since late 2023. I don't know if Dr. Roselli uses it or not but the video is very good. I think the other popular tissue valve is the Inspiris Resilia valve. Again, best wishes to you.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz My mitral valve was replaced with a biological valve two years ago. Now there's a new generation of v ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz My mitral valve was replaced with a biological valve two years ago. Now there's a new generation of valves with a coating that prevents calcification, lasting more than 20 years. They're also designed for the installation then of a second smaller valve on top, using a valve-in-valve procedure, may be it can be done by TAVR (I´ve seen here in the Learning Center) without open surgery. Edwards Lifesciences has valve models of this kind, but I think there will be more on the market with similar features and lifetime.

Rose Madura Hi Chris. I got an Edwards tissue valve - and was told it may last 15-20 years. I was 59 when I got i ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Chris. I got an Edwards tissue valve - and was told it may last 15-20 years. I was 59 when I got it. I'm not so naive that it will be the case for me as everyone is different. That being said, after 8 years, I'm still going strong with no issues. At last cardiologist visit in April, he said it sounded very crisp. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery. You will be in good hands at CC. Please keep us updated.

Valerie Allen Dr Roselli uses the Edward’s Resilia aortic valve -at least on me and to my knowledge. Good questio ... Read more

Valerie Allen Dr Roselli uses the Edward’s Resilia aortic valve -at least on me and to my knowledge. Good question to discuss with your surgeon. Note, I put some traveling tips on your previous post in case you are flying.

Chris Germanoposted a journal

53 days ago

Grace Mason reacted to this

Hi all, I have my SAVR scheduled for Oct 27th at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr Roselli.

Grace Mason Hi, glad to hear you are moving forward with the symptoms you are experiencing. The waiting is the ha ... Read more

Grace Mason Hi, glad to hear you are moving forward with the symptoms you are experiencing. The waiting is the hardest part.

Valerie Allen That is excellent news and Dr Roselli, my surgeon, and his team are outstanding!

Pamela Gregory

Chris Germanoposted a journal

75 days ago

I've decided to have my aorta valve replaced this fall. At the Cleveland Clinic. A little nervous and scared.

Chris Germano We have a lot of travel scheduled for this summer and fall: a 3 week trip to Europe, a visit to fami... Read more

Chris Germano We have a lot of travel scheduled for this summer and fall: a 3 week trip to Europe, a visit to family in NY, a trip to Fla.. Based on when the SAVR surgery gets scheduled, they all may be canceled.

But, on the other hand, I would really like to get this done and have my more active life back.