Mirza's Journal

Sue Maize  I’m not sure of the model but I do have a 23 mm Edward’s bovine valve (replaced my aortic valve). 

Marie Myers  That is exactly the valve I have, but mine is going on 7 1/2 years. Mine was also a full open heart because I needed 2 aneurysms resected also.. The valve model information is printed on the valve card you were given when you left the hospital.

Sue Maize  It’s funny, I just actually received my cards for my new heart parts in the mail—Mirza, I have the model you were asking about! 😊

Sue Maize  I just received mine in the mail so about 3 months post-surgery. I had an additional band to repair my tricuspid valve so 2 different cards. 

Rose Madura  Mirza, Anytime I go to the dentist, I take 2000 mg of Amoxicillin one hour prior to  the visit no matter what they are doing to me.  I don't want to take any chances.  I would simply ask your cardiologist when you go in for your procedure to see what they say. 

Marie Myers  For some non invasive procedures, you don’t have to premedicate with antibiotics. I recently had 2 implants with bone graft post extraction. For the real “ messy” procedures, like extraction , implant and bone graft I definitely took antibiotics. For some later portions of the implant procedure, I didn’t need to take anything. Just check with your dentist, and they will let you know whether to premedicate or not with antibiotics.

Valerie Allen  I really don’t know with TAVR. You should ask your surgeon. For OHS, very different, we need to wait 6 months before any dental work.

Marie Myers  You will definitely get antibiotics when you have your TAVR, and they will likely be through the IV line. 

Suzette Schear  A little late on posting but you should check in future to make sure about being on antibiotic’s before dental work.  The gums and mouth can get infections which cause me to have endocarditis which is why years later I’m on this website.  My dentist won’t do anything including cleaning unless I took the antibiotics.  They actual are the ones who put the prescription in with my pharmacist 

Shawna D.  Mine is also scheduled for Aug 27th! Sending you prayers and best wishes for a great surgery and an awesome recovery!!

Marie Myers  I was also very nervous when meeting with my surgeon for the first time. You might want to ask the surgeon if he or she performs this procedure frequently, and what their success rate has been. It is good to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both TAVR and SAVR, as well as the option of not treating at all. ( I am sure they will discourage not treating at all! ). , It is good to ask about how long you would expect to be in hospital for either procedure. Last, I asked my doctor,if I were your mother, what course would you suggest I take?

Anna Ma  I agree with Marie, I would ask mostly two kinds of questions, first ask him/her to explain his recommendations of treatment:procedures; second, I would ask how many cases he has done and success rate.

Susan Lynn  In addition to the excellent questions provided by Marie and Anna, I would also ask -
What type of entry will you use to access my heart?
How long will the procedure take?
Will you be performing it? (I know surgical residents need to get experience, but I didn't want to be the test case.)
How long will I be on bypass?
How soon after the procedure will the breathing tube be removed?
What medications will be used during surgery and during my hospital stay? Will I be given any narcotics?
How soon will I be able to see my family after surgery?
What can I expect in the first few hours of recovery? First full day?
When will the tubes, IVs, and catheter be removed?
How long will I be in the CICU?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Will I need home health nurses at home? For how long?
What medications will be prescribed for my recovery and how long will I need to take them?
What restrictions will I have after surgery?
When can I be scheduled for cardiac rehab?
What follow-up care will I need?

I asked my surgeon a zillion questions - this is just a sample. Best of luck to you.

Christine Maiorano  I agree with all of the above. ! I researched my hospital, Cleveland clinic, my surgeon, Dr. Gillinov (who answered every question and more) remember, no question is a silly question. Write things down and ask everything.!

Chuck Wagner  Mirza,  I'm at +16 week out of a AVR for severe aortic stenosis. My operation was a Kaiser SF.  Looks like you have a good list of questions.  Kaiser had a home nurse and physical therapist visit me at home.  They are a good team.  

Mirza Baig  Hi Chuck- good to hear from you, I lives in Sonoma County and my heart valve surgery is going to happen at Kaiser San Francisco Medical Center. I was told that they have a TAVR team. Do you know who was your surgeon and did you have TAVR procedure and what kind of valve you got how are you doing. I am kind of nervous. 

Take care 

Rita Savelis  Please let your surgeons advise you on that. Neither one is "better". Each patient is singular. Take care.

Adam Pick  Great point Rita! Funny point Betsy!  That said, I'll post a few links here to help you learn more about pig and cow valve replacements. Hope it helps Mirza! 

Marie Myers  That is good news that no bypasses are needed. I would say just Godspeed on your phone appointment, and keep us posted. A friend of mine had TAVR in her late 90’s, and lived to celebrate her 100th birthday.. It relieved all her symptoms. Go for it!

Mirza Baig  Thanks Myers. I had my phone appointment and my Cardiologist refer to TAVR team in San Francisco.

They call me and my video appointment has been set up for 7/15/2024. At that meeting I was told that they will explain to me all the options and then I have to decide whether I need pig or cow-

Does any one tell me which valve is better, pig or cow-- Thanks

Marie Myers  I did not have to decide on which type of tissue valve to get. They offered a cow valve, and that is what i got. I will Google “pig verses cow valve” and see if i find anything out..