Harry's Journal

Susan Lynn  Harry - I suggest looking into other surgeons who successfully perform this procedure. TAVR is not only proven, it's routinely performed and presents fewer risks, shorter hospital stays, easier recoveries, and is less costly than OHS. The bio prosthetic valves are also improving, so be sure to ask about the one that would be used. It's always a good idea to get multiple opinions.
Many of us have traveled to get the procedure we wanted from a qualified surgeon. Best of luck with your search.

meg oconnell  Hi Harry, I just finished surgeon shopping! I am 57 and will have my valve replacement on May 6th. The thinking is to put the largest valve possible likely 25mm, in so that it would accommodate two TAVRs which will hopefully get me to 90. 3 of the surgeons would only do the procedure open heart. But I found a surgeon who specialized in doing the initial surgery minimally invasive. He was hands down the best surgeon he spent an hour and a half with me and my husband - in comparison one surgeon only gave us 15 minutes.  If you look at my profile you will see the doc an hospital I will be using next month,.

Civita Fahey  Hi Harry, I had my surgery at the Brigham, I did have an open procedure 7 years ago, I was too young for a TAVR. I'm surprised to hear that they don't have minimally invasive surgery procedure. This procedure is done by an interventional Radiologist. Whether you have an open procedure or a TAVR is up to you and your doctor. But if the Brigham really doesn't offer a TAVR, you should look into MGH or the BI or Tufts.  I'm sure they do.  We are lucky enough to live an area of some of the best hospitals in the world. I'm interested in hearing more about your search as at some point, I will need a TAVR when my present valve wears out. Hopefully not for a while. I am currently 62 years old. Best civita 

Yumiko Ishida  My mother had her aortic valve replaced via sternotomy in her late 70s, is now 89, and her heart is in better shape than her two daughters’. Her cow valve does not need to be replaced even if she lives to be over 100. You would need to dig deeper for your particular circumstance, but it is my understanding that TAVR is more prone to complications compared to OHS. Many OHS following failed TAVR. My own transcatheter procedure (valvuloplasty for mitral valve) was not worth it compared to the sternotomy I eventually got. Minimally invasive was not even a thing, I don’t think, when my mother had her surgery. I myself dropped the option early on during my search for a surgeon. It is more complicated (need to work around obstacles) and therefore higher risk, you have more nerves between your ribs therefore more painful, and prone to end up with unintended cracked ribs especially if you have fragile bones (which I do). It is my understanding that your recovery goes faster with a MI procedure. So I think it come down to what you can tolerate. Can you tolerate some pain for a safer procedure? Can you tolerate more pain for a faster recovery? Can you afford to devote time to recover from the trauma of the surgery? Whichever path you choose, I think you would do fine. Once you decide, just go for it!

Kath Duggan  I had my mitral valve repaired  repaired via a minimally invasive surgery at Mass General in November. My surgeon was Serguei Melnitchouk. I am doing very well. I went their specifically because another member of this site (Richard Munson) had minimally invasive repair of his valve there with Dr. Melnitchouk. The care , doctors and nurses we’re wonderful there. Every case is different but it may be possible.