Salvador Amorim - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

12 days ago

I'm worried about picking the right procedure for the aortic valve replacement.

Marie Myers Are you talking about the difficult decision of tissue valve verses mechanical valve?

Diren P I think I am in the same situation. I should choose mechanical valve or should I try Ozaki surgery. I ... Read more

Diren P I think I am in the same situation. I should choose mechanical valve or should I try Ozaki surgery. I am not sure. I also want my surgery to be minimally invasive but I think it will be with mini sternotomy.

John Cook It’s definitely a tradeoff.

Mechanical valves last for a really long time but require blood ... Read more

John Cook It’s definitely a tradeoff.

Mechanical valves last for a really long time but require blood thinners for life. Cow-valves don’t require blood thinners but wear out in about 15 years. Ross Procedure (if you are a candidate) lasts longer than a cow-valve, doesn’t require blood thinners, and has better longevity statistics. However, it is a longer/riskier surgery with a longer recovery protocol. My surgeon wants my BP < 120 for a year while the pulmonary valve gets used to its new home. I’m trying to get used to my baseline BP being in the 100s.

Also, if you are under 60, you should think about what your prospective 2nd/3rd procedures look like if you don’t get a mechanical valve.

Salvador Amorim I wish we'll and a speedy recovery from the ross procedure

Salvador Amorim I don't want to worry about re operations and I'm leaning towards the mechanical valve. I'm just havi ... Read more

Salvador Amorim I don't want to worry about re operations and I'm leaning towards the mechanical valve. I'm just having a hard time having to be on coumadin.

Marie Myers Is the Ross Procedure an option for you?

Salvador Amorim Yes

Salvador Amorim Yes, the ross procedure is offered to me.

John Cook Thanks, Salvador. I chose not to do a mechanical valve for the same reason. I’m active and otherwi ... Read more

John Cook Thanks, Salvador. I chose not to do a mechanical valve for the same reason. I’m active and otherwise healthy. As soon as I’m cleared, I want to get back to trail running and I don’t want to worry about falling in the middle of nowhere. Because they narrowed my aortic root as part of my surgery, I should be able to have a TAVR if/when I need another valve.

Darrell Malone Hi Salvador. If Ross is an option for you then you should find a surgeon or centre that does them and ... Read more

Darrell Malone Hi Salvador. If Ross is an option for you then you should find a surgeon or centre that does them and get their opinion and go from there. All the best.

Valerie Allen A center of Excellencen for Ross procedures, specifically

Diren P The Ross procedure is a very complicated and long process. It is also riskier and is done with a full ... Read more

Diren P The Ross procedure is a very complicated and long process. It is also riskier and is done with a full sternotomy, so I do not prefer it.

Diren P I will also have a mechanical valve and blood thinners really worry me. At the very least, I won't be ... Read more

Diren P I will also have a mechanical valve and blood thinners really worry me. At the very least, I won't be able to take a painkiller anymore or I will have to be careful about what I eat. I am already a very anxious person, I think even the slightest bruising will be a nightmare for me.