Aortic Stenosis, Joined January 16, 2024
Aortic Stenosis
Joined January 16, 2024
Susan Pegram
Mitral Regurgitation
May 13, 2024
Jim Rizzo
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
May 13, 2024
MARK VALENTINE
Aortic Regurgitation
May 13, 2024
Dr. Marc Gerdisch is a heart valve expert having performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his career.
I am 18 days post op for mitral valve replacement. This is my 2nd valve Replacement first on Aortic valve with one cabg in 2020. I came home severely ...Read more
I am 18 days post op for mitral valve replacement. This is my 2nd valve Replacement first on Aortic valve with one cabg in 2020. I came home severely anemic. and several unexplainable hours after surgery that my family heard nothing and finally asking they were told I went back to surgery for bleeding. Surgeons nurse and staff told me everything went as planned. I felt something was not being explained. I called medical records for a surgical report since it hadn't been released to my chart after a week. I has surprised to find a report from a critical care specialist saying I had received several transfusions, platelets, and other clotting factors and had difficulty breathing. He had been called in a few minutes after the surgeon dictated the surgery was complete and after telling my family everything was ok. I don't understand why the clinic staff hid everything. I have a background in healthcare. Those things don't surprise me, so why did I have to do my own digging.
Pretty much everyone goes home pretty anemic. The anesthesia team will only transfuse what they absolutely must to maintain BP and perfusion. It took me a couple months to get my hemoglobin back up, and that is normal for post-op heart surgery. If you had excessive bleeding and blood loss, that would explain the use of platelets, extra blood, and fresh frozen plasma. It is an acknowledged risk of heart surgery. Sometimes the meds and supplements we are on can increase bleeding in any type of surgery, so it is always important to let the doctors know exactly what meds and supplements you take. It is a good idea to go off any supplements that you can at least 2 weeks before elective surgery. Things like ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, and many other supplements can increase blood loss and decrease clotting. Sorry you had to have 2 surgeries in only 4 years . That is a lot to go through!