guy arnold - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

guy arnoldposted a journal

3445 days ago

I am being evaluated by the TAVR clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse NY for using the TAVR procedure. I have just been evaluated by two cardiac surgeons. ...Read more

I am being evaluated by the TAVR clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse NY for using the TAVR procedure. I have just been evaluated by two cardiac surgeons. Both surgeons are members of the same heart practice at the hospital. Both surgeons say I am at low risk for either SAVR or TAVR and they both recommend SAVR stating that SAVR will give me the best long term results and they minimize the pain and longer recovery period when using SAVR. They cite the possibilities of bleeding during and after the TAVR. I will see the interventional cardiologist who will perform the TAVR on Nov 2. He has a long history of doing catheterizations and he is a strong advocate of the using catheterizations. I just turned 84 and have been an active person until the Aortic Stenosis slowed me down. I had a TIA stroke in May 2016 & was released from the hospital within 7 days, which included rehab. I had two fainting spells since then, I was completely unresponsive for about 15 minutes after the second fainting spell but was able to walk away after 30 minutes. I am trying to make a choice between SAVR & TAVR and I would appreciate your comments & viewpoints. Mary

Ellen Leng Tough choice! In general, the surgical option better for healthy patients with the non-surgical inter ... Read more

Ellen Leng Tough choice! In general, the surgical option better for healthy patients with the non-surgical intervention all options reserved for less hardy folk. Given your age, it really depends on your health and tolerance for recovery. Anyone out there choose a TAVR over surgery?

Rita Savelis If your doctors consider you a good candidate for SAVR and you are an active person, it is a safer pr ... Read more

Rita Savelis If your doctors consider you a good candidate for SAVR and you are an active person, it is a safer procedure and there is no reason you wouldn't have good long term results. Being 84 means that you can choose a tissue valve easily. I wish you the best. Take care.

guy arnold Thank you Ellen and Rita. Why is SAVR a safer procedure ? I am also concerned about the longer reco ... Read more

guy arnold Thank you Ellen and Rita. Why is SAVR a safer procedure ? I am also concerned about the longer recovery period for the SAVR.

Rita Savelis You'll have to let your surgeons explain this one more precisely. Access is easier with OHS.
Recovery ... Read more

Rita Savelis You'll have to let your surgeons explain this one more precisely. Access is easier with OHS.
Recovery periods vary. They depend on so many many things. No one can know how your recovery will go, but if you are an active person and don't have other problems, it is a good sign.
No matter how the procedure is done on your heart, your heart needs time to heal and recover from the shock. Recovery time is allowing your body to get used to big changes. It takes time and you can't expect to bounce back immediately.
No matter what procedure you pick, you will never know how the other one might have been, alas.
You need to trust your surgeons, or talk to several. They ultimately know more than you, even if they let you make decisions.
Trust is really important.
I'm sorry you have to go through all this. Of course we'd all rather not.
Take care, Guy.

Ellen Leng Also the TAVR won't give you quite the same flow volume (not as much outflow through the valve) as a ... Read more

Ellen Leng Also the TAVR won't give you quite the same flow volume (not as much outflow through the valve) as a new valve. The recovery from surgery is likely harder, but the valve is definitely better. It's a good sign that surgeons think you are low risk for the surgery!