TODD's Journal

Marie Myers  I rented an electric recliner for a month from a local medical supply company. It made it easy for me to get up and down by myself.  Then i slowly graduated to a couple pillows in the bed or on the couch. 

Rose Madura  I used a wedge for a couple days and then tons of pillows in bed for a few hours a night. Then I would finish off the night in the recliner.  Sleep whenever you feel like it is my advice.

Susan Lynn  Recliner,  foam wedge,  bunches of pillows...be sure to have options.   Your preferences may change from one day to the next.   It's a lot of trial and error. You'll find what works for you. 

J Alexander Lassally  So hard to know. Over two years I have seen patients both well adjust to mechanical right away and others bemoan the adjustments.  On the other hand, the wear out of biologic valves is very real.... Maybe some reflection on how patient you think you are with the tinkering phase?! Kinda a personality thing, I think... Let us know (And, do know occasionally mechanical valve appear to wear out due maybe to poor fitment also - so no 100 percents) Welcome to this tough reality we live with !  

Jennifer reynolds  I received a mechanical mitral valve 1 1/2 years ago at the age of 59. I am very happy with my choice. Warfarin is not an issue, I am just more careful not to cut myself and i can occasionally hear the valve if it is real quite; so at night I use a white noise machine which helps completely. I am so glad to not have to have another surgery, never want to go through that again. That's my 2 cents.

Rose Madura  At age 59, I received an Edwards tissue valve.  It was a hard choice but I didn't want to be on Warfarin. They told me it would last 15-20 years and the new valve is large enough to allow a TAVR if and when needed. Godspeed.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Agreeing with Rose, above all taking into account your Valve affected is the aortic one and TAVR is quite experienced on thousand of patients over the world. I would have some more doubts if your Valve was the mitral, because TMVR IS not so implanted, although being also an option nowadays. Godspeed in your choice.

Teddy Atkins  I had a mechanical aortic valve a few months ago. So far I have not had any problems taking bloodthinners. It's pretty easy. The hardest part is getting up to the right blood thinner level before leaving the hospital. But it was well worth it and very happy it.

John Cook  45 to 65 is a tough age range for deciding what is your best option.

You’re aging out of the Ross recommendations.  But if you are otherwise in good health and your heart makes you a good candidate, there are surgeons who will do it at 59.

If you go with a bio-valve then you are looking at 1 to 3 resurgeries.  TAVR might be an option for two of those resurgeries.

Mechanical valves have the warfrin-blood clot risks but the valve could last you for the rest of your life. I say “could” because there are no guarantees.

They all have pros & cons. You have to think a lot about how they fit into your lifestyle, which cons you can live with, and what your next surgery might look like depending on which choice you make now.

Pamela Gregory  At 55 it was the hardest decision of my life but ultimately I went with biological valve because I didn't want to be on Coumadin.

Geoff Curtis  I was 54 when I had mine, went with a tissue valve also.  All the cardiologists and surgeons all recommended tissue due to my age.  Ultimately your decision of course, but usually 50+ they recommended tissue 

TODD Miller  Thanks everyone! I go in for surgury in 3 weeks. I am an active guy with no other health problems so the Warfarn the rest of my life seems overwhelming. I was dead set on tissue untill last week when my surgeon said I should consider mechanical, soo Im back to square one in overthinking!!! lol 

Ercan Afacan  I was in the same situation. I did not want a mechanical valve and the wear out factor of the biological was too high at 53. I was proposed a Ross procedure as I had no other health issues like yourself and all scans/checks were good to GO.
Good luck in your choice of valve procedure. All the best

Jason Kantner  ercan - did the elevated risk of the ross procedure frighten you? how did you ultimately choose ross over mechanical?

i’m weeks out from a (recommended) mechanical valve as i’m only 38 and im extremely active/a racing athlete. however the warfarin frightens the heck out of me too (food/alcohol restrictions…excessive bleeding)

John Cook  Jason,
At 38, talking to a Ross specialist is definitely worth it for you and to find out if you are a good candidate.

Even with increased risk from surgery, the overall risk with an experienced Ross surgeon is less than 1%.  One thing I’ve noticed, however, is Ross patients seem to have longer stays in the hospital, 7 to 14 days instead of 3 to 5 days.  I was 6 days in ICU and 9 days total in the hospital.

Ercan Afacan  Jason, like John mentions, at 38, a fit individual like yourself,  it is definitely worth discussing it with a Ross surgeon. 
I was not frightened of the Ross procedure as this technique has great overall long term results. Yes, it is a more complicated procedure and you will be longer on the heart-lung machine hence a higher risk of complications. I had several, kidney failure, blood sugar spiked, my lungs had excess water and arrhythmia. I stayed 4 days in the ICU and 2 days in the 3rd unit, all returned to normal except I needed a pacemaker to help with the blockage between the left atrium and ventricular.
I am now 11 weeks post op and have started exercising and going back to work. 
I did not want to take warfarin as well and I was considered being in the gray zone of going with a biological/tissue valve. 
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions/concerns. 
Good luck with your decision. 🙏❤️‍🩹

Adam Pick  Todd, Given your age and the lifetime management of aortic stenosis, your next steps seem very appropriate given all the physicians we have interviewed over the years. You may want to watch this video that describes how Ari and Dr. Roselli planned out his path for "living to 90". Ari was younger than you but I think the same principles apply.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbVTFGTOZjY

Adam Pick  And here's another patient story specific to the consideration of SAVR v. TAVR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qK4vWAvwLI

Lisa Willis  Thank you, Jim, for sharing your story.  I, too, have a bicuspid aortic valve and have been diagnosed severe aortic stenosis.  I need an aortic valve replacement.  For over a year I have been trying to connect with the right surgeon and get the right procedure.  Your story gives me hope that I am on the way healing and a better life.  Thanks!

TODD Miller  Thank you Adam! I so do appreciate the feedback. Im nervous and unsure of what to choose and this has helped tremendously. They think my valve is bicuspid, but are unsure at this point. I am right at the start of the severe level, and honestly dont have many symtoms. I was referred same as the second gentlemens video, for a murur. Thanks again!

El McRae  Hi Todd, I had exact same. I chose SAVR for two primary reasons. One, at 66 I wanted a valve properly placed (shaped) and sized for future TAVR if required and two, I read research that indicated TAVR in TAVR that was for BAV originally might be challenging BUT I’m not a medical professional so please just take this input as my experience. SAVR went great and I’ve had no issues to date. I did get tissue not mechanical valve. Best wishes, Beth

TODD Miller  Hi Beth, Thank you for your input. This is exactly what I am looking for, other experiances and how they came to that conclusion. I hope you have a most awesome weekend!

TODD Miller  Thank you everyone. I go in for surgury in 3 weeks. I waas set on tissue but now my surgeon says I should really think about mechanical. I like the idea of one and done, but blood thinners scare me, as I am generally quiote active. Any thoughts??