TAIHAO LI - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

TAIHAO LIposted an update

9 days ago

TAIHAO LI reacted to this

Hi everyone,
I'd like to ask those of you who have already undergone the Ross procedure — were you symptomatic at the time of surgery, or mostly... Read more

Hi everyone,
I'd like to ask those of you who have already undergone the Ross procedure — were you symptomatic at the time of surgery, or mostly asymptomatic?
I currently have severe aortic valve stenosis, and I'm trying to better understand the real-world timeline to surgery.Specifically, for people whose numbers were similar to mine:
Mean gradient > 40 mmHg
Peak gradient > 70 mmHg
How long did you have to wait before actually having surgery once you reached this stage?
Also, I'm a bit unclear about the process — does the Ross procedure require waiting in line for a pulmonary valve donor, or is it not dependent on donor availability?
I'm truly grateful for this community. Walking this path can be incredibly hard and lonely at times, and hearing from others who've been through it means more than I can say.Thank you all for fighting this together

🤍

Ercan Afacan Hello TAIHAO, what are your peak velocity and surface area of the aortic valve? My pressure was very ... Read more

Ercan Afacan Hello TAIHAO, what are your peak velocity and surface area of the aortic valve? My pressure was very similar to yours. Velocity was >4m/s and area was 1.06 sqcm. I was asymptomatic until I had a syncope in Sep 2025 which accelerated the surgery to December 2025. I had the Ross Procedure in Montreal, Canada . If you have any questions, glad to help out. 🙏❤️‍🩹

Grace Mason Hello Taihao,
I don't believe there is a waiting period for a pulmonary homograph as they are usua ... Read more

Grace Mason Hello Taihao,
I don't believe there is a waiting period for a pulmonary homograph as they are usually cryopreserved. Here is some additional information I found.

John Cook I had regurgitation, but once I became “severe”, they recommended surgery even though I wasn’t symptomatic. I was running 3 miles on my treadmill the week before my surgery.

One of the things they have learned is the less symptomatic people are pre-surgery, the better outcomes they are likely to have post-surgery. However, they generally won’t recommend surgery until you reach that “severe” threshold.

My timeline:
- April 2024 - found out I might have a problem when I went to the doc to get blood pressure medication.
- July 2024- I was diagnosed with moderate regurgitation.
- February 2025 - diagnosed severe and recommended for surgery.
- April 2025 - I met my surgeon.
- June 2025 - I had surgery.
- October 2025 - Feeling back to normal for everything except for exercising & climbing stairs.

18 months from my GP saying, “let’s give you an EKG” and seeing a dip to full recovery. If I hadn’t given up on getting my blood pressure down on my own, I never would have known.

Also, the donor valves are treated and stored. There is no transplant waiting period or risk of rejection. It’s not like live-organ transplants.

its also important to remember that even if you are recommended for a Ross, you will need a backup plan in case they discover your pulmonary valve is unsuitable for relocation or if there is some other problem during surgery.

Ercan Afacan THAIHAO, I had my Ross procedure at the Montreal Heart Institute last december. As soon as you show any symptoms, the waiting list is between 12-16 weeks since I had a syncope event, my waiting time was 6-8 weeks. If you can’t get a referral to another province, the Montreal heart institute accepts international/other provinces but your healthcare/insurance may not cover it.

Good luck in your research and hope you find a Ross center.

In the meantime, take care of yourself.
... Read more

James Halldorson Hi Thaihao, I too was asymptomatic. During the surgical referral my surgeon looked at the echo and sa ... Read more

James Halldorson Hi Thaihao, I too was asymptomatic. During the surgical referral my surgeon looked at the echo and said despite being asymptomatic "you shouldn't wait more than 6 weeks ...do it was his call. The homograft donation is not like a kidney donation as it comes from a deceased donor. The hospital gets it from a special supplier. My surgeon was funny he said " you're kinda of a big guy. I'll have to make sure we have some big ones in the freezer" . When the open you up they size your pulmonic valve to select the proper homograft size. Good luck!

John Cook 16 weeks was also about my time (in the US) from being recommended for surgery until my surgery. It ... Read more

John Cook 16 weeks was also about my time (in the US) from being recommended for surgery until my surgery. It would have been 2 weeks faster but I was bumped for someone else’s emergency.

TAIHAO LIposted an update

42 days ago

Rose Madura, TAIHAO LI reacted to this

You have shown me that I am not fighting alone. Happy New Year to everyone. Surprisingly, we are all safe. May God bless us.

TAIHAO LIposted an update

165 days ago

Those who have the opportunity can benefit and make a choice, while those without the chance are left waiting helplessly. Medical advances like the Ross procedure ...Read more

Those who have the opportunity can benefit and make a choice, while those without the chance are left waiting helplessly. Medical advances like the Ross procedure have helped many people, but they also give those without options just a small glimmer of hope. Just a little hope.

TAIHAO LIposted an update

165 days ago

TAIHAO LI reacted to this

Unfortunately, where I live, there is no access to a Ross Procedure center, and getting a referral is extremely difficult. This has been very discouraging... Read more

Unfortunately, where I live, there is no access to a Ross Procedure center, and getting a referral is extremely difficult. This has been very discouraging for me — but I continue to pray for a miracle and hold onto hope.

Darrell Malone Hello. If the Ross is something you want to explore you should be pushing for a referral. I'm in Kitc ... Read more

Darrell Malone Hello. If the Ross is something you want to explore you should be pushing for a referral. I'm in Kitchener ON. If your province doesn't have a doctor that does the Ross they potentially could refer you out of province for a specialist that does the Ross. Travel ect I'm not sure however that may be small price to pay. Please push your health care until you get answers. I know a few others in Canada that have had the Ross. Any questions please don't hesitate. I'm not expert but you have to advocate for yourself.

susan harris Dr ismail el-hamsmsy (now at max sad i so i. nyc) was at montreal. mughtcwantvyy to check ross exper ... Read more

susan harris Dr ismail el-hamsmsy (now at max sad i so i. nyc) was at montreal. mughtcwantvyy to check ross experts there?

TAIHAO LIposted an update

165 days ago

I’m 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve.I very much hope to avoid lifelong anticoagulation, because in my daily life I enjoy ...Read more

I’m 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve.I very much hope to avoid lifelong anticoagulation, because in my daily life I enjoy sports and sometimes I get small injuries. If I had to take anticoagulants forever, the danger of bleeding would always follow me. I also need to keep my ability to do physical work, because I have two daughters, andI want to be strong enough to lift both of them into my arms

A few months ago, my younger daughter asked me: “Daddy, why are the little leaflets in your heart gone? Did you lose them?” Recently she gave me a drawing of a heart with leaflets and said: “Daddy, I fixed the little leaflets for you. Now your heart is better.”

For me, the advantage of the Ross procedure is to protect our family’s quality of life, because with it I would be able to lift and carry things at home. Recently, the heavy lifting in our family has been done by my older daughter, who is still very young but is already trying to take on those responsibilities.

I have spent too many days and nights thinking, and many long hours searching for medical information about this surgery. I have even watched surgical videos. The Ross procedure is, for me, my only chance right now. I am very thankful that this option gives me hope, and brings hope to my whole family.

Rose Madura Taihao, I would do some push back and research with the Canadian authorities. Hopefully, you can find ... Read more

Rose Madura Taihao, I would do some push back and research with the Canadian authorities. Hopefully, you can find a facility and get approval. I know of at least one person on this site from Canada who got the Ross. God bless you on this journey. Please keep us posted.

Rachel Stokes Is there anything more than just the bicuspid aortic valve, like stenosis? My son had stenosis and b ... Read more

Rachel Stokes Is there anything more than just the bicuspid aortic valve, like stenosis? My son had stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve as an infant and they did a repair. Created the leaflets from the sack the heart sits in and scrapped away a bit of the stenosis. That procedure lasted him 13 years with no restrictions at all on activity. He has now had the Ross procedure just recently (3 weeks ago, as apparently it is very rare that you would do more than one repair and get much time out of it) I have no experience in the adult heart space so just sharing as a parent.

TAIHAO LI God bless us

amen

TAIHAO LIposted an update

165 days ago

Hello everyone, I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you. Your support, encouragement, and shared experiences have given me ...Read more

Hello everyone, I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you. Your support, encouragement, and shared experiences have given me so much strength and confidence during this time. Wishing you all continued health and healing.

TAIHAO LIposted an update

311 days ago

Darrell Malone, Daisy Tanner, Jessica F and 1 other reacted to this

I am about to face the greatest challenge of my life. I never thought that I would face such misfortune and luck at the same time. But I believe that under... Read more

I am about to face the greatest challenge of my life. I never thought that I would face such misfortune and luck at the same time. But I believe that under God's guidance, I can be strong and courageous, overcome fear, and no longer fear death.

Susan Lynn Welcome, Taihao! Many of us have walked in your shoes and heart surgery is definitely an emotional p ... Read more

Susan Lynn Welcome, Taihao! Many of us have walked in your shoes and heart surgery is definitely an emotional process as well as a physical one. You will find the strength and get through it like we did. Until your day arrives, relax and think positively. We'll be keeping you in our prayers.

Robert Miller The procedure is easy on the patient. You won't know anything. The first few days are the hardest par ... Read more

Robert Miller The procedure is easy on the patient. You won't know anything. The first few days are the hardest part, followed by about a couple of weeks at home. So do your research to make the part at home easier. Good luck! You will be better of afterwards...

Rose Madura It is a great challenge but if I can do it, so can you. Great advice from my friends here. Please k ... Read more

Rose Madura It is a great challenge but if I can do it, so can you. Great advice from my friends here. Please keep us posted.