Recent content by barrie

Circumflex artery Circumflex artery Hi Marilyn,Just read your post.The circumflex artery is a branch of one of the main coronary artery that supplies the back and undersurface of the heart. The bend in it would prevent it from being stented because there would be a risk that it could rupture...

Mr Snuffles Mr Snuffles So glad that everything went OK for Andrew.My best wishes to you both.

type of valve type of valve Though tissue valves are getting better they are thought only to last 10-15years and maybe less in the younger patient.Mechanical valves can last forever though you will be on warfarin for life.There are newer anticoagulant drugs being developed which will not...

Does anyone have experience of prolonged atrial flutter/fibrillation after OHS. I've had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced (St Jude mechanical with warfarin)and a left atrial radiofrequency ablation procedure 4 weeks ago.I've now had futter/fibrillation for 3 weeks.I've seen my cardiologist and...

Reply to all so far Reply to all so far Thanks guys,always loads of common sense.I'll try to be more patient.

Hi Guys,haven't posted for a while as I was hoping to be feeling so much better following my AVR(bicuspid valve) and partial maze proceedure. Unfortunately on the 7th post op day ie the day I got discharged I went inth AF early in the morning and have remained in various rhythms of AF/atrial...

Thanks for all the replies guys it's great to know how much support there is out there.My problem is one of poor acceptance of ill health in myself I want to get out there on this exercise programme and KNOW this AF is going to hold me back because of the shortness of breath that comes with...

Untitled Untitled Hi Andrew,Prof is great and the staff on C5 will look after you very well.It's a very busy ward and everyone got through their particular surgery.With me it's just this damn AF which just won't go away.Best of luck with your surgery.Barrie

Hi Guys,Had my AVR and maze radiofrequency ablation 26/2/09.OK first 2 days apparently according to my family but when I got back to the step down ward had pretty aweful gut trouble.Needed loads of laxative which caused a reaction and left me nauseus and heaving for a couple of days,hardly ate...

Thankyou all so much.The information and comfort gained from this group of valvers has kept me "sane".I'll hope to be posting again when I get home 'cos I don't think they have patient internet connection at the hospital.Bye for now.

If you go on the internet and tap in the drugs,the side effects will be listed.There will be a long list but just remember not everybody gets them.The commonest side effect from ACE inhibitors is a dry tickly cough but all drugs can cause allergic reactions,skin rashes nausea and...

Antihypertensive drugs Antihypertensive drugs The current guidelines on the treatment of hypertension show that ACE inhibitors are generally first line with calcium channel blockers 2nd,duiretics are third.B blockers can also be added.There naturally are some contraindications to any of these...

Dilated aortas Dilated aortas Thanks for the info Jim.Bina's info however shows that the root does shrink after AVR but then start to dilate again.Since the aorta has to be opened to perform AVR,its a pity that an aortic biopsy isn't done because if it shows cystic medial necrosis then future...

Same Boat Same Boat Best wishes for Tuesday Jane.I doubt whether any answers for this question will influence the plan now.I have complete faith in my surgeon and will trust his decision.What I would change however is that if I knew I would need surgery for a thoracic aneurysm down the line I...

I have a BAV and am going for AVR on 26/2/09.My ascending aorta has a max diameter of 4cm and is termed mildly dilated.I've pushed this with my surgeon who believes that this is post stenotic dilation and may revert back to normal in time.He will do something about my aorta at op if it is too...