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Hi everyone, It?s hard to believe I had aortic valve replacement (AVR) 5 years ago today. Time has flown. Anyway, I apologize for not posting any threads over the last several months (if not longer). I took a new job 2 years ago that keeps me very busy. Below is a brief five year post-op...

All, During a recent ProTime test at our Coumadin Clinic (in Colorado), the medical assistance that was measuring my INR had just returned from a training class. I ask her about the class, and she indicated the class dealt with anticougulation therapy in Europe, etc.. Anyway, she indicated...

Hi everyone, It?s been awhile since I?ve posted a thread on this website (sorry). I?ve been very busy with work, etc. in the last few months. Anyway, I decided to post my INR history after taking Warafin for the past 21 months (see attachment). In summary, my INR has stayed between the...

All, At last, I made it over my final hurdle from open-heart surgery; I received my FAA medical certificate! I haven?t been able to act as pilot-in-command for 427 days, but this weekend, I received my ?letter of special issuance? from the FAA. Yesterday, with my special issuance letter in...

My previous thread, "Length of recovery time following AVR", was getting a little lengthy%, so I decided to start a new post. Below is an abstract summarizing left ventricular performance after AVR. In summary, the article implies that exercise ejection fraction continues to improve up to...

Background ? I?ve been running continuously since the mid 1980?s (excluding the few months following AVR last summer), logging approximately 13,000 miles. Over this time, I?ve kept accurate records of all my running times. Since AVR over one-year ago, my running pace has been SLOWLY improving...

Background ? My cardiologist wants me to continue taking Toprol for blood pressure control after AVR last summer. Why not prescribe an ACE inhibiter, or some other type of medication, that has fewer side effects (than a beta-blocker)? Yes, I know beta-blockers also reduce your heart rate, but...

All, Well, I haven't been on the ValveReplacement.Com website too much in the last few months. I've had a busy summer; MUCH better than last summer! Anyway, 374 days post-op, I hiked to the summit of Pikes Peak, elevation ~ 14,110 feet, from Manitou Springs (Barr Trail). I covered the 12.6...

Al, I was just wondering if Coumadin was ever administered prior to valve replacement surgery to determine an individual's tolerance to anticoagulation therapy? This could really help simplify the valve selection decision for many people. I ask my cardiologist about this option before...

After AVR on July 6th (2004), my surgeon(s) recommended 81 mg of Aspirin per day. During my 6 month checkup, the cardiologist didn't think aspirin therapy was required, especially since my pre-surgery angiogram showed normal coronary arteries. So I stopped Aspirin for the last 2 months...

ValveReplacement.com members, Enclosed is a journal that documents my last four years living with aortic valve disease (in a Word document). The journal is divided into several sections: (1) initial diagnosis, (2) monitoring phase, (3) pre-surgery phase, (4) surgery & initial recovery, and (5)...

Hi Everyone, Just a brief message for now, but I wanted the group to know I'm recovering at home following AVR on Tuesday. I just got home a few hours ago from the hospital (Saturday around 11:00 AM). I received a 27 mm St. Jude Valve with a 2 - 3 inch Dacron graft for the ascending aorta...

Hi to all members of ValveReplacement.Com, Well, After 4 years of monitoring my aortic insufficiency, the time has come for AVR. The LVESD showed a significant increase between echo's in the last 6 months (from 3.9 cm to 5.2 cm); LVEDD now - 7.3 cm. As a result, surgery is scheduled for July...

All, Thought I'd post a thread for the first time. I'm new to this site as of last week. Anyway, I was diagnosed with Aortic Insufficiency (bicuspid valve) 3 years ago by accident. During a routine FAA First Class Medical exam, my EKG showed a few abnormalities, but nothing serious. I...