KEVIN's Posts

Thanks Briana, Cathy, and Jeanette. Thinking of adopting another senior rescue dog who was confiscated by Animal Rescue Services. She is 16 and was confined in squalor in a trash-filled house. Currently she is surviving (barely) in a shelter. She has no known name. I think it fitting, given my current situation, to name her "Hope"...or "Grace"....but if this arrhythmia continues, maybe "Flutter".

Hi Kevin - I'ts interesting that you brought up the Ross Procedure. My surgeon didn't even bring it up as an option for me. We only discussed a mechanical (his recommendation based on my age) or a bovine valve. My employer also has an additional benefit to request a second expert medical opinion. These expert medical opinions were completed by a Dr at Harvard medical and a Dr at Stanford Medical. Both doctors agreed I needed to have the surgery soon, but it was not critical. They both also recommended the mechanical valve, based on my age. However, the Dr from Stanford did give the option of the Ross Procedure. The challenge as he stated in his evaluation is that you've now created a 2 valve problem instead of one. Being 2 weeks post surgery, I'm really happy with the On-X mechanical valve and managing my blood thinners will just become my new "normal"

I had a Ross Procedure in 1994 at age 22 for a bicuspid aortic valve and all was perfect until I had an aneurysm on my ascending aorta that required another surgery in 2005 at age 33. The aortic valve (my own pulmonary valve in that position) was doing awesome until then. It would have lasted twice as long at least but I had to replace it with the aneurysm. My pulmonary donor valve is still doing great 23 years later (I'm 45). Just get checked for any indication of an enlarged aorta or any family history prior to a Ross Procedure.

Good word, Cathleen, thanks! I understand that aortic aneurysm was an underappreciated complication in the earlier days of the Ross. Dr. Paul Stelzer, et al refinded the technique to assume this fact and now use dacron felt as aortic reinforcement. I am encouraged by your experience, despite the aneurysm issue. Where did you have it done? Seems like only a handful of surgeons are doing the Ross with any degree of volume/expertise. What are your opinions/thoughts? I was scheduled for a mechanical valve at Cleveland Clinic on Valentine's Day; but am considering the Ross. Thanks!

I had a Ross for my stenotic bicuspid aortic valve this last November 4, 2016. I also had my dialated ascending aorta replaced at the same time. The surgery was done by Dr. Stelzer in New York. I highly recommend him and his team. They took great care of me. I am just over eight weeks out and feeling great. Of course, I can't tell you about long term results of my surgery. Dr. Stelzer could discussed with you long term results of his previous patients if you contact him. I was the 610th patient he had done the Ross procedure on. His mortality rate is less than 1%, which is really good for those who do this procedure. I definitely recommend having a highly experienced surgeon in the Ross procedure do this for you if this is what you want. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to discuss them with you.

Hi I had it done at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles by Dr. Trento. He is amazing. One other note is that eventual aortic aneurysms seem to be an issue in most patients born with the congenital bicuspid aortic valve due to a connective tissue problem of some degree. Great to hear that they are doing the reinforcement with the surgery now! Oh and I had TAVR last year at Cedars Sinai to place a new bovine tissue valve (in place of that bovine valve from the 2005 surgery). AMAZING procedure. I left the next day. It is the future of valve replacements so keep that in mind too :).