Gary's Journal

Brady Busch  Hi Gary,
That looks like a lot of fun.It'd be great if this site was a fishing blog and there was no such thing as heart disease,but here we are.
I also had a bicuspid aortic,with severe stenosis.There weren't any noticeable warnings.It was picked up as a murmur on a regular checkup,but was told,by a cardiologist,that it had probably been going on a long time.
The tests will show quite a bit,for the doctors.Yes,there are considerations,like your age and physical makeup.There are a number of procedures,like open heart (SAVR),or TAVR(TAVI) and mini-sternotomy.Also,the Ross procedure could be looked into.
I decided to have a tissue valve installed at 66,with a full sternotomy,because the mitral valve needed to be repaired.So,hopefully,a TAVR can be done,if needed next time.That's another decision to be made,if replacing the valve,because a mechanical is another choice.
Some more people can add on here for a fuller spectrum.
Nice fish,by the way.

Marie Myers  I also had a bicuspid aortic valve, but mine was regurgitant. I had no obvious symptoms, but on a routine echo in 2016 (age 62) I was found to have an ascending aortic aneurysm and an aortic root aneurysm. Those aneurysms were the driving force for my surgery. I elected to have an aortic tissue valve replacement and repair of the 2 aneurysms. I had a Modified Bentall procedure with a full sternotomy. Not exactly a walk in the park, but it was doable. I was lucky to have an uncomplicated surgery and repair, and was back to work part time in 8 weeks. You might have the option of TAVR, but you will find out the full range of possibilities when you have you surgical consult. Keep us posted!

Rose Madura  Hi Gary, great pictures! I had a bicuspid aortic valve and Rheumatic Fever at a young age.  At age 59, I had OHS to replace the valve with a tissue valve, had a root replacement and arch repair and an aneurysm repair. My surgery went well but my recovery was difficult and yet, I'm here and feeling great.  If and when I need another valve I will be a candidate for TAVR. God bless you on this journey. Ask us anything. We are here to help anyway we can.

Thomas Sperounis  Hi Gary I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Bicuspid valve and aortic stenosis. I will be 55 in March. I have been monitored really really well  stenosis is now severe and will be having open heart on Feb 21 . Lot of blood work and tests in the rear view now.Any questions fire away.

DeWayne Adamson  Not much to consider. Get a new valve. I recommend the Edwards Resilia. Do the open heart, they can give you a tune up if you need it and they will place the valve so you can have a TVAR down the road.