Anyone had more palpitations or missed beats than usual after surgery?
I'm over 2 weeks post op with ON-X AVR, INR tested 3.0 earlier today at the lab. Today ...Read more
Anyone had more palpitations or missed beats than usual after surgery?
I'm over 2 weeks post op with ON-X AVR, INR tested 3.0 earlier today at the lab. Today I suddenly got multiple palpitations. I could feel, and hear them in the stethoscope. My heart would beat like normal, then miss a beat or palpitate and then returned to normal starting with a bigger beat. This happened a couple times a minute, then would be normal for a few minutes, then a couple more for a minute, and slowly less often. I went to the hospital and my EKG and blood test are normal. Doctor thinks maybe I need to rest more, I probably do. I might get a halter monitor. Now a couples hours later they've calmed down to a few per hour. No other symptoms and I feel fine walking. My valve sounds the same tick/clink.
Marie Myers Yes. I had a lot of what you describe post op. It can be quite unnerving at times, but these irregula ... Read more
Marie Myers Yes. I had a lot of what you describe post op. It can be quite unnerving at times, but these irregular beats will gradually decrease over time. As your heart heals, you will probably notice them less and less. I have read the same from many journals here. It is good to check in with your doc if the irregular beats cause you dizziness or difficulty breathing, but otherwise they are a common thing as your heart heals. Wishing you a nice, regular, steady heartbeat!
Bradley Dunn I have had PVCs since I can remember - they are less often after my surgery but I still have them. ... Read more
Bradley Dunn I have had PVCs since I can remember - they are less often after my surgery but I still have them.
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) - if you want to google and read more about them.
Alex Sigalov I am 4 month posts op, definitely have had alot more palpitations after surgery for me
Civita Fahey Same here. .I had them before my surgery and still have them now. I can feel them when I'm nervous or ... Read more
Civita Fahey Same here. .I had them before my surgery and still have them now. I can feel them when I'm nervous or stressed or don't drink enough water. its normal unless like Marie said they cause dizziness or other symptoms.
5 more days. On-X Mech vs Edwards Magna Ease 3300 TFX Tissue Choice
My surgery for mini sternotomy AVR is on march 12th. I'm having a hard time deciding ...Read more
5 more days. On-X Mech vs Edwards Magna Ease 3300 TFX Tissue Choice
My surgery for mini sternotomy AVR is on march 12th. I'm having a hard time deciding on valve. After all my research, I'm leaning towards mech but then doubts arise. I don't want more surgeries, but all the little inconveniences and risks associated with warfarin bothers me.
I'm 30, young and healthy male. Live in Canada (are INR monitors and test strips covered?). Not a big risk taker but am mild-moderately active in weight lifting, cycling, exploring nature, some jujitsu, and light parkour, 2-3 times a week. I've needed a hospital maybe 4 times in my life, 2 separate fractured arm, and stitches on my chin from a park BMX accident. Don't care about other sports or physically risky jobs. I think I'm more afraid of injury than the average person.
I have severe bicuspid AV regurgitation which caused enlarged LV, very mild MVR. My my Aortic root has remained at 3.9cm for 10 years. It's expected to stay the same, but may possibly slowly increase in a few decades. My surgeon said my risk for aneurysm is extremely low. The rest of my heart muscle and MVR is expected to return to normal post-op. I developed mild shortness of breath and chest discomfort the past few months which prompted an elective decision for surgery. Surgeon anticipates to use a valve size of 21-23mm. He recommends an On-X mech but will do Edwards Magna Ease 3300 TFX tissue if I want. He didn't try to persuade me choose one over the other.
Valve Decision Pros, Cons, Concerns
MECHANICAL VALVE
- I'm sound sensitive but I'm OK with watch ticking noise at night, but will be annoyed if I hear it during activities and music.
- "<1% risk of requiring another operation for the valve specifically." -surgeon
- Minor inconvenience every couple weeks to monitor INR.
- Rely on medication like I rely on water to live.
- "0.5% cumulative risk per year of anti-coagulation complications." -surgeon
- Higher risk (how much?) of bleeding, but "likely won't be life threatening." -surgeon
- Feel and be more vulnerable to injury or possible accidents.
- Worry about possibility of no access to medication (travel, natural disasters). The coronavirus has already put my non-generic brand of antidepressant on back order until the end of this year.
- I Have OCD and I will probably obsess over INR and drug/food interactions depending on how important it is. That could be both good for my physical health but bad for mental health.
- Possible easy bruising? I currently don't bruise at all. I've ran into metal poles and only had mild bruising. Afraid that will change with warfarin.
- 0% increase risk of stroke after 15 years.
- Spend $$$ on medication and test strips but may have coverage.
TISSUE VALVE
- Less than 5% chance of needing warfarin after 1 year if I get AFib. -surgeon
- Won't be or feel more vulnerable to physical injury.
- Feel hesitant to be as active out of fear of wearing out the valve faster, but data doesn't support this?
- Major inconvenience every ~10 years.
- 1-4 OHS in the future. May only get 5 years out of first valve. "10 years average. 4th surgery is when complications increase the most" -surgeon
- Each surgery has <1% chance of death in surgery, 3% risk of reopening to look at bleeding, 2-3% infection of valve in hospital, 0.2% valve infection within 6months, 5% risk of needing pacemaker.
- Smaller tissue valves wear out faster? Mine will be 21-23mm.
- Months of symptoms (stenosis, regurgitation) during period of valve deterioration?
- Research suggests there is similar risk of stroke as mech valve.
- Spend $ on supplements that I think will reduce calcification of the valve.
Alex Sigalov Hi 30 is too young for tissues, u will be having surgery every 10 years and i think thats a lot more ... Read more
Alex Sigalov Hi 30 is too young for tissues, u will be having surgery every 10 years and i think thats a lot more risk than having mechanical and yhe rocevery process is awfull, sobits someyhing ubwant to go thru more than once if u don't have to. Also am am having arrhythmia issues and its very common after OHS and very uncomfortable. I am 39 went with mechanical OnX. U should also look into Ross procedure. As for blood thinner if there is an emergency and u don't have access to medication its not it is highly unlikely that Aortic Mechenical Valve will get a clott because of hight volume blood flow thats why after 3 months ur allowed to be 1.5-2 range on OnX valve in aortic position
Jennifer Winslow It is scary to have to make such a huge decision. In the end we all have to decide what is best for u ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow It is scary to have to make such a huge decision. In the end we all have to decide what is best for us personally....what cons can you live with as they each have some. I’m 53 and opted for a tissue last month. I know I will need at least one more surgery but surgeon put a good size valve in so I can just have one inserted via TAVR next time and won’t have to deal with OHS. I pray this one lasts me 15 years but that may be a pipe dream. I just knew I didn’t want to deal with blood thinners the rest of my life and all that entails. Good luck with your decision.
Simon Leon Hey, similar age (I'm 32) almost 3 weeks out from my AVR, opted for the Mechanical valve after a simi ... Read more
Simon Leon Hey, similar age (I'm 32) almost 3 weeks out from my AVR, opted for the Mechanical valve after a similar dilemma to yourself. I've always been fairly 'strict' with eating so watching what I eat to some extent on Warfarin/Coumadin didn't seem an issue to me. My main concerns were around the side effects of the anti-coag medication, but so far so good (appreciate I have a long journey). The longevity of the tissue valve was not an option for me personally. With regards the 'ticking' this was something I worried about, but actually, so far, has not been an issue. With regards meds, I had the same concern, i.e. shortage, what happens if I lose meds on holiday etc. but I have had asthma since childhood so similar concerns with those medications. I can't really comment about cost of meds as i'm based in the UK and mine are subsidised by the National Health Service. Without seeming like another shamless plug, I have started to film my experiences since the operation and the videos are on my YouTube channel, I go in to a bit more detail and hopefully it may be useful. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHpTWuaLNBrr049qxaqKCnw/
Uploading videos about my recovery from Aortic Valve Replacement
Marie Myers It is a very hard decision, and you look like you have a good idea of the pros and cons.Wishing you p ... Read more
Marie Myers It is a very hard decision, and you look like you have a good idea of the pros and cons.Wishing you peace with whatever decision you make!
Rose Madura If I was 30, I know what I would do but the decision is a very personal one. You are doing the right ... Read more
Rose Madura If I was 30, I know what I would do but the decision is a very personal one. You are doing the right thing by educating yourself. Definitely discuss with your cardiologist and surgeon. God bless you.
Willie Radl I went with the on-x mechanical at 32. Had all the similar concerns you are raising, I think you hitt ... Read more
Willie Radl I went with the on-x mechanical at 32. Had all the similar concerns you are raising, I think you hitting on most of the major concerns between valve types. I opted for the durability of the mechanical valve, to hopefully avoid multiple surgeries down the road. I really didn't want to be worrying if the valve was wearing out, my surgeon told me the tissue wear out faster in younger people so I could be back in 4-7 years. There's also risk of tearing or wearing out faster. I feel like people really downplay the multiple surgeries and the issues that could arise from it. The Warfarin has been much easier to deal with than I expected, you will bruise easier and they will be bigger than usual but if you don't have issues with bruising now you'll be okay. I don't do any food counting or anything like that, drink a few beers now an then and am always in range. The home monitoring takes about 20 seconds to do from start to finish, and I report my numbers every 2 weeks through an app. I would be somewhat concerned with the jujitsu and parkour if you go mechanical and I would suggest just waiting a few months to get a feel for your body reacts to cuts and bruises before going all out (i.e. you wouldn't want to take an elbow to the face on a regular basis). Could you give up Jiujitsu and Parkour if you had to? If not I would say go tissues and then maybe do mechanical when that wears out ....or maybe there will be a new valve?. The ticking was really annoying the first 3-4 weeks but after a few months I didn't even notice it. I can still hear it if I listen for it but I would say it has 0 impact on my well-being, I have heard of others that struggle with this though, if you can deal with watch ticking its almost identical to that.
Frank Giovanniello Although it is a very hard decision, no matter what you decide, make sure it is your decision. You ha ... Read more
Frank Giovanniello Although it is a very hard decision, no matter what you decide, make sure it is your decision. You have to live with it. I wish you a smooth surgery & and a speedy recovery.
Chris Calhoun I think many people do not consider the fact that they may need blood thinners any way regardless of ... Read more
Chris Calhoun I think many people do not consider the fact that they may need blood thinners any way regardless of the valve for other reasons like a stroke - which I am sure many of us are at an increased risk of having - to me at 30 it is a no brainer to go mechanical - I have one and the clicking is not a big deal and neither is the inr and keep in mind there me be a study that will prove we do not need warfarin at all
Alex Sigalov Hi, will second what Chris is saying, my Cardiologist told me that hal of her pacietce are on blood t ... Read more
Alex Sigalov Hi, will second what Chris is saying, my Cardiologist told me that hal of her pacietce are on blood thinner anyway for other reasons and someone on my surgical team told me that warfarin is given a a percousion as Aortic position is highly unlikely to develop a clot due to large volume of blood flow its just that noone did the study yet, Ross procedure could be an option Adam the founder of this site had it done in his 30s
Mike Roskowinski I agree with all of the others on here. I would go with the mechanical valve. That is what I have a ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski I agree with all of the others on here. I would go with the mechanical valve. That is what I have and you get used to the ticking sound and taking the medicine. I was 39 when I got mine as I dont want to have this surgery every few years. I workout at the gym 5 days a week weight lifting and doing cardio. I also play golf and volleyball in leagues. I have not had any issues doing the stuff I was doing before my surgery. The INR checks get easier as you get further into your recovery. I go once a month now and just have to do a lab with a finger poke. It takes me 10 minutes at most to get it checked. There are also at home tests that you can take for INR if going to the doctor is a problem.
Joe Tarango I am 32 and had pretty much identical issues as you. Fortunately, my valve was repaired by Dr. svenss ... Read more
Joe Tarango I am 32 and had pretty much identical issues as you. Fortunately, my valve was repaired by Dr. svensson at the CC. However, I was going to go with an inspiris resilia valve if it was unrepairable because I did not want to be on blood thinners. My job at the time which was physical may have been the driver behind that decision. After going through surgery and recovery, I wouldn't want to do it multiple time so I think now if I ever need a valve replacement in my younger years I would go with an On-x. You have done a perfect pros/cons list and wish you confidence in your decision. I'll pray for all my brother and sister heart warriors always.
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) - if you want to google and read more about them.