Dr. Jim's Journal

Klara Čičić  Good question for cardiologist- electrophysiologist! I had ablation done during my surgery and am yet to see how successful it is. So far no AFib :) 

Greg Lewis  If it is for Afib, try cardioversion first, if you haven't.  That fixed my afib. It's much, much easier.

Robert Miller  I am curious about this as well. During my first surgery they did the maze procedure. It resulted in a tremendous improvement. However, even after the second surgery I still have some AFib. The surgeon said that this should be monitored and that I might possibly need ablation. Supposedly it's a pretty quick procedure, some 1.5 hours and no opening the chest or anything like that. 
@Greg Lewis, I heard that many people get AFib again after cardioversion. For how long did you not have AFib anymore so far? Are you on additional medication?

Greg Lewis  I had cardiversion, and that was it. No more afib since Sept. 9 2021.  They told me it worked well, because afib only began after surgery. Cardioversion is completely noninvasive,  and takes minutes. I think, like anything else, it takes someone good at it for a good result. My cardiologist did the cardioversion. 

Robert Miller  @Greg Lewis, thanks for the info. I had AFib before the surgeries so maybe I am not a candidate but I will definitely discuss this before going the ablation route. But it's just 3 months after my second surgery so for now neither has become an urgent topic yet. 

Robert Miller  @Greg Lewis, is that a question for me? If so, for my first surgery a year ago they did the maze procedure. That helped a lot but didn't get rid of my AFib completely. My cardiologist had me on blood thinner (Xeralto). He was thinking of possibly continuing this after the second surgery but hasn't asked me yet to do so. My surgeon kind of questioned why he would do this because I had my appendage removed during the first surgery (the appendage is where you are most likely to build blood clots if you have AFib). But at this stage (3 months after my second surgery) they are just observing it and see if there is any improvement. 

Greg Lewis  Sorry, Robert, I was just wondering if they were using a beta blocker to help stop the afib. I asked, because usually,  I believe, that's what they do first, then cardioversion, then ablasion. For me, they tried meds for 2 months, then cardioversion.

Marie Myers  I would think your cardiologist would want to rule out CAD with a stress test or cardiac cath. Have you ruled out reflux? That can mimic chest pain...

Dr. Jim Savard  Marie, THANK YOU for your message.Reflux was my first hypothesis . I am scheduled for an EKG on 7 August. Regular cardiogram is absolutely perfect. Again, THANK YOU!

Marie Myers  No problem. Maybe you should consider a 2 week trial of OTC products such as Nexium (or equivalent) also. Hope you get a definitive answer soon!

Dr. Jim Savard  Hi Marie, Stress Echo Cardiogram found a 95% blockage in the Left Anterior Descending (LDA) artery --- put in a new piece of pipe (stent) and ALL is GREAT! GOD Bless

Sophia Ridley  I’ve read it does, not sure if medically proven. I would love to know if it can reverse calcification. Didn’t eat my greens until I realised, post op, the benefits of K, now can’t get enough (I’m on aspirin). I have a calcified valve, they cleaned what they could during my repair. My issue is my body produces a lot of calcium generally... no fillings, and great bone mass but doesn’t always go to the right areas.

I wonder if living in a hard water area isn’t good either.

I would love to know a good source of K2 - I’ve never found organic natto - which is readily available. I was taking drops but my heart rhythm was going a little wobbly so stopped.

Marie Myers  My cardiologist recommends both Vitamin D and K2. Food sources are best, but I take !000 u D3 and 80 mcg K2 daily. Hoping it will help my bones as well.

kirshbaum marilynne  Thank you Sophia and Marie. I have been doing lots of reading about K2, but have not seen endorsements from medical docs. Thanks for posting the dosage too.

Barbara Adams  I have been reading about Vitamin K2. I am 2 years post op aortic valve replacement. I take calcium supplements for osteoporosis and remain concerned about the possible relationship between calcium supplements and calcified valves. My physician says no relationship between the two. My cardiologist says there are conflicting studies. I am wondering whether I should be taking K2. Doing well, by the way!

Steve Farthing  Obviously I am not an expert, but will guess it is not all that unusual. However, given the horrible air quality around Littleton lately, that could also be a factor. You can monitor it at airnow.gov. Some days recently have degraded into the 'unhealthy' red category where 'Everyone may begin to experience health effects...' I avoid doing much on those days. All of Littleton, Denver, etc is in the yellow moderate category right now due to ozone, not smoke.

Marie Myers  I was coughing up gunk for 5-6 weeks after AVR. Did not feel like my lungs were fully expanded till 8 weeks post op.

Lilly Black  I had that happen after my first surgery. 3 weeks of expurgation with cough! After my second surgery, nothing at all. Talk to your doctor, because I am sorry I did not, and it was because my doctor was not in close proximity. I managed to overcome it, but in hind site, I would have gone to my doctor to do get some intervention. Good luck!

Barbara Wood  I had mitral valve repair 8 weeks ago. I had a cough with lots of mucus early on- so bad it woke me up at night. My pcp thought it was due to fluid retention & I was prescribed lasix for a week. It went away very quickly along with about 4-5 lbs of excess fluid.

Lilly Black  Barbara, that was the difference between my first and second surgery. My second surgery, doctors were really concerned about fluid retention, used Lasix and had lung xrays to ensure the water retention was absorbing in my body. They tried to remove the fluid surrounding my lung but was not successful. However, I had no phlegm and it took about 5 weeks for the fluid to dissipate on its own. Needless to say, although second surgery was 12 hrs , it was a much better experience!

Catie B  Hi Jim. Hopefully, Adam will chime in. But in the meanwhile, here's a post he uploaded last fall. My understanding has been that they haven't yet figured out everything that may contribute to valves calcifying.

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2016/09/15/calcification/

Adam Pick  Love your attitude Jim. What could be better than getting past this operation to spend time with your grand kids and your family. Thanks for sharing!

Adam Pick  By the way, here's some information about heart valve therapy and the Maze procedure. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/atrial-fibrillation/

Dr. Jim Savard  Adam,

Do you have any research on what causes calcification of mitral valves?

Thank you,
Jim Savard
jsavard@1965.usna.com