Robert's Posts

After the flurry of activity last summer, we all agreed to put everything off until now. Last fall we all agreed that surgery was necessary and most likely open heart since both the Aortic and Mitral valve needs to be addressed. What will be done is still up in the air. I have a Trans Esophageal Echo Cardiogram scheduled for July 22nd (as well as a CT Chest on July 21st). That is supposed to decide the exact procedures necessary. I'm holding out hope for repair vs replace. In any event the actual surgery is scheduled for September 14th. I have opted to do the surgery at Penn Medical Center with a surgeon there who has done thousands of these.

Well I finally got the analysis from the angiogram and heart Catherization. Mostly Greek to me, but until now everyone has been talking about my AR and how its sever, the report doesn't mention a thing about that! It mentions my Mitral Valve having moderate to severe regurgitation. I knew my mitral valve leaked (it has for over 30 years), but this is the first "severe" rating I have seen. So do I need both valves dealt with!?!? I have an appointment with a surgeon at UVA health in early December, but I was able to get an appointment with a recommended surgeon at Penn Medicine next week. Penn is rated higher so I would be more likely to go there.

Just had an angiogram and catherization. Arteries are clear, but I guess heart pressures are "consistent with valve problems" based on what the nurse said. Today I got there readings: %HbO2: 89.5. Normal 92 to 98.5 tHB: 13.5. Normal 14 to 18 Then on a second result: %HbO2: 68. Normal 92 to 98.5 tHB: 12.8. Normal 14 to 18 I have no idea why there were 2 readings or what the difference means.