One more thing. It's usually not the Surgeon that does the cath. The almost always defer that back to the cardiologist unless you check in the night before the surgery to have it done.
Jimmy J
On February 10, 2012...
Hi Cindy,
To just echo what Linda said and depending on your age (30 or less they typically won’t do them). They will make sure your arteries are clean. That way if there is any blockage that can take care of that the same time they work on the valve. I had my cath done last Tuesday. It was a breeze. They give you happy juice and honestly all I remember is getting on the table and few mins before and then it was over. They shot some numbing stuff into the area they were entering. I felt a little stick and then it was warm. They asked me how I was doing and I said I wouldn't mind some more happy juice. They gave it to me no issue. Next thing I know the Doc said all done and they take you back to the recovery to lay flat for 2-4 hrs. Nurses will check on you every 10 to 15 mins. I watched TV. I was a little sore that evening at home.
My Surgery is 2/20 and my next appt is the Pre-Op appt where they will do x-rays and lab stuff.
Jimmy Johnson
On February 10, 2012...
Cindy, the cath is actually more accurate than the echo for determining the extent of the stenosis. It is actually considered the gold standard, but since it is invasive, they use the echo as a guide. Also, they are able to get specific measurements with the cath that are really just estimates on an echo. The cath isn't bad and they can also check your arteries during the cath. If you need surgery, the surgeon is going to require a cath before hand anyway. Hope this helps.
Getting closer...Linda Dixon
On February 10, 2012...
Hi Cindy! I have known about my aortic stenosis for about 10 years. It started as mild to moderate and has progressed over these years. My echo's always showed the valve to be more narrow that the heart cath showed (cath is more accurate) until the last one in November. The echo measured the valve area at .6cm. When they did the cath, the valve was so narrow they could not cross it with the catheter, so now it's time. Even knowing one day it would probably happen, I was not prepared to hear "it's time for surgery". What a shock! But, I have to say, I'm ready to get it over with. In addition to the stenosis, my aorta is also dilated, so I expect they will repair that as well. At least I hope so. If you have never had a cath, don't worry about it at all. It is a piece of cake, nothing at all to be afraid of. Worse part is having to lay still without raising your leg or head for a couple of hours afterward. You will do fine.
Keep us updated on your "journey".
Getting closer...Linda Dixon
Cindy Pastrano Hi Linda! My valve has just crossed over to what they consider severe it's .9cm. I have had several ... Read more
Cindy Pastrano Hi Linda! My valve has just crossed over to what they consider severe it's .9cm. I have had several heart cath's in my time, I actually had open heart surgery when I was 6 to repair a coartation of my aorta which thankfully I don't remember a lot about it other than my scar. I have had the same heart doc for at least the past 5 years but on a recommendation from my mother-n-law and went to another doctor and then did an echo yesterday and it showed my valve at .9 plus he saw my stress test results and now they are wanting to do a heart cath next week. I just don't know if it needs to be rushed like that, I'm a little scared and confused now as to what i should do. And my mother-n-law thinks I should just ask to see the surgeon and not have the heart cath cause she says he'll do all that all over again. The only changes I have really noticed is going up my stairs I feel tired and sometimes I just get dizzy, it only lasts for 10 to 15 seconds. I am 44 now. Also I apparently have borderline high cholestrol and according to the new doc my bad is a concern at 148.
Thanks for talking to me I know you are getting ready for your own surgery. I really do appreciate talking to you, I have never had a chance to talk to others like myself before and people that don't have these problems don't understand.
God Bless,
Cindy
On February 8, 2012...
Hi Cindy. You are off to a good start coming to this. In a few short weeks I have been able to from bonds with people that would normally take years to build. We are all going through the same thing. Same fears.. Same questions.. So open up and ask questions. It's amazing what you get out of this site.
We are here for you. I am 38 and set to have my aortic valve replaced on 2/20. I went from no no you must be looking at someone else's chart. To why me. To ok. What does this mean. To you mean you can fix me and I can do what I was doing before or more. To I an can have a normal life expectancy. To ok let's do this. To I can do this. To I am doing this.
Hang in there. Stay strong and let us help where we can
Jimmy Johnson
Cindy Pastrano Hi Jimmy, thanks for your reply and my prayers go out to you on your upcoming surgery next week. Hav ... Read more
Cindy Pastrano Hi Jimmy, thanks for your reply and my prayers go out to you on your upcoming surgery next week. Have you ever had open heart surgery before? From the time you found out you had a heart problem how long did it take to get to surgery?
Take care and thank you, I had a new echo done today and my valve has progressed some since the last one 5 months ago.
Cindy
On February 8, 2012...
Hi Cindy! Welcome to the club! Welcome to the HVJ site. You will find all sorts of valuable first hand knowledge on this site and incredible support. I also have aortic stenosis, now critical and am scheduled for surgery to replace my aortic valve and possible dilated aorta repair on March 13th at Cleveland Clinic. If you have questions...put them out there! Our fellow "valvers" are awesome and very inspirational. Try not to worry...I know, easier said than done and keep us updated.
Linda Dixon
Cindy Pastrano Hi Linda, thanks for your reply. Have you known your whole life about your aortic valve? I just had ... Read more
Cindy Pastrano Hi Linda, thanks for your reply. Have you known your whole life about your aortic valve? I just had another echo today and there has been some progression since my last echo back in September. They are planning on doing a heart cath next. Will probably schedule that tomorrow. Hope to keep in touch with you and I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery.
Jimmy J