Paul Ubysz - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Paul Ubyszposted an update

376 days ago

Hello everybody. New to this forum … and new to the situation of finding I need a new aortic valve! Being “got ready” and currently required to stay ...Read more

Hello everybody. New to this forum … and new to the situation of finding I need a new aortic valve! Being “got ready” and currently required to stay in hospital. Of the 3 levels of aortic stenosis mild/moderate/severe … I’m told mine is most definitely severe. .. it’s critical even! Ooo-er!

No formal discussion yet with surgeon about which type of valve replacement, but I think for me it’s either 1) mechanical, but I’m wary of the Blood thinners obligation or 2) Ross procedure…. but I may be too old?
68 and very active. A passionate skier and various other sports.. so I consider myself a young 68.

Would be interested to hear people’s views!

Thanks in advance!

Pamela Gregory I am not an expert, but my understanding is as long as they replace your current valve with a large e ... Read more

Pamela Gregory I am not an expert, but my understanding is as long as they replace your current valve with a large enough tissue valve (and God willing) it should last for 15 years at which point they can go through the groin the 2nd time for TAVR valve Replacement. I would ask about this option.

Dan Fouratt Paul, i am not a doctor but what Pamela said was what I am planning. I had my valve inserted 4 mont ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Paul, i am not a doctor but what Pamela said was what I am planning. I had my valve inserted 4 months ago and I am 63. So I look at it as a 25 year plan and maybe a little longer. depending on your first valve and improvements in TAVR over the years. Good Luck on your decision journey.

Paul Ubysz Thanks so much for quick responses Pamela and Dan. In discussing things with todays' doctor ...his v ... Read more

Paul Ubysz Thanks so much for quick responses Pamela and Dan. In discussing things with todays' doctor ...his view is the same as yours! Tissue valve now and TAVR later ...if/when needed.

Due to my (still) fairly active lifestyle he seems to advise caution regarding the issues associated with having to take blood thinners for the rest of my life!

In the next bed to me just now, is a guy who's just been having serious issues with his INR levels, such that he needed to be admitted. Has been here for nearly a week, but fortunately is going home today.

Rose Madura I was 59 and had a tissue valve replacement because I didn't want to be on blood thinners.

Christine Maiorano Hi Rose, i hate being on blood thinners! I'm still on Eliquis, my surgery was 4-10-24😒

Larry Peterson Hi Paul - no right choice here. My SAVR surgery was November 30 2023. I am also 68 and chose a bovi ... Read more

Larry Peterson Hi Paul - no right choice here. My SAVR surgery was November 30 2023. I am also 68 and chose a bovine tissue valve of the largest diameter possible (27mm Inspiris Resilia), so that I am ready for a TAVR valve-in-valve replacement in 15-20 years. I didn't want to be on blood thinners, but some are very happy with their mechanical valves and blood thinners.

Dan Fouratt Paul one thing I would ask about in minimally invasive surgery. If it is possible it is a lot easier ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Paul one thing I would ask about in minimally invasive surgery. If it is possible it is a lot easier on the body.

Paul Ubysz Thank you all! After further reading and seeing all your views too, I am now leaning more towards a Tissue valve. …and I note Larry’s point above ..wide bore! Due to my active life style, I think blood thinners could be a risk, and thus limiting, and possibly intrusive due to the need to keep monitoring INR. I’m told I’m too young (at 68 …I like that!) for a TAVR, albeit attractive due to being less invasive procedure. Also, if my existing valve is so severely stenosed, it will still be there and when the TAVR is inserted, so that may be restricted from the outset.
So my current thoughts are now:
1) Tissue valve, I’m fit enough to tolerate the trauma of major surgery, …should keep me going for 10-15 years. Impact of permanent use of blood thinners avoided. Then…
2) Maybe when I get to 80+ I will need a TAVI to take over from the Tissue valve which may be “tired” by then, but hopefully not stenosed and calcified like my existing one is, so not a problem.

... Read more

Dan Fouratt Paul,
I like the plan. Again look at look at minimally invasive surgery.
Also read up on post sur ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Paul,
I like the plan. Again look at look at minimally invasive surgery.
Also read up on post surgery Afib and Aflutter. I had Aflutter and was
reward with a prescription for a blood thinner. Hopefully I will becoming off it in the near future, I just posted a question about that to the group.

Pamela Gregory Sounds like a good plan Paul. I had my tissue aortic valve at 55 because I didn't want the blood thi... Read more

Pamela Gregory Sounds like a good plan Paul. I had my tissue aortic valve at 55 because I didn't want the blood thinners. I am hoping for 20 years out of my valve

Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Paul, I am 2-timer on SAVR - both bioprosthetic valves (bovine in 2011 and porcine in 2024). The � ... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Paul, I am 2-timer on SAVR - both bioprosthetic valves (bovine in 2011 and porcine in 2024). The “no blood thinners” was important to me. For my recent SAVR, my surgeon replaced my aortic valve expanding it for TAVR the third time!