Multiple Operations

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R

russell55

I was wondering if there are other people in my situation. In January 2006 I had the aortic valve replaced with a mechanical one. In May of the same year there was an aneurism found next to the valve and it was replaced by a different model. However that valve failed to maintain a tight fit and there's regurgitation happening again. My cardiologist says it will have to be replaced as well and this time the surgent wants to use a freeze dried human valve.

Has something like this happened to others?
 
Hi Russell - Welcome to the site; glad you found it. Sorry for this situation you find yourself in. I don't know that I've heard an exact experience like yours but perhaps another member here has; there are members here who had valve replacement that needed replaced again shortly thereafter and hopefully they will see your post and reply.

Did you have a bicuspid aortic valve? Do you know what valves you've been replaced with so far? Do your doctors think your valve needs readdressed right away? If you had a bicuspid, you may find some more helpful information at this site, www.bicuspidfoundation.com

Hopefully others will post soon, or tomorrow. Take care and bump this thread up as necessary.
 
Hi Russel and welcome. Yes it's happened to some others around here. Did the surgeon say anything about the condition of your tissue? Some people have poor tissue and the valves just pull right out of their seats for no apparent reason. I would want to know why they want to use a human valve now after 2 attempts with mechanical. Mechanical under the right conditions, would give you the best chance at no more reops, but I'm sure at this point, you probably don't care anymore.
 
Russel,
Sounds like you are going through the ringer!! I am sorry that you are having to go through this, it must discouraging.

Welcome to VR.com. We have members who have had multiple surgeries. I am sure they will be along soon. Again, welcome and best of luck.
 
sorry

sorry

to hear of your problems. Have you got a few other opinions? what hospital are you going to? I too am in Ontario, Niagara region - had my aortic valve replaced at Hamilton General September 2007. Fabulous place - all the staff are super ...

you can e-mail me - my addy is posted in my profile.
 
First I would want to know exactly WHY your mechanical valves needs to be replaced, i.e., was it due to an issue with YOUR heart, or was it due to a Poor Installation by the Surgeon?

If the latter, I would be looking for a Better Surgeon and a Better Hospital.

I would also want to know WHY your aneurism wasn't noticed / addressed in your First Surgery.

'AL Capshaw'
 
ALCapshaw2 said:
First I would want to know exactly WHY your mechanical valves needs to be replaced, i.e., was it due to an issue with YOUR heart, or was it due to a Poor Installation by the Surgeon?

If the latter, I would be looking for a Better Surgeon and a Better Hospital.

I would also want to know WHY your aneurism wasn't noticed / addressed in your First Surgery.

'AL Capshaw'
Click to expand...
Well actually, so would I, but it's a done deal so I didn't ask.
 
Hello Russell and welcome to the group!
What kind of mechanical valves have you had?
If it was me, I would be having heavy discussions with both the surgeon and cardio.
Best wishes.
 
I can't offer any insights on multiple ops, but I wanted to welcome you to the VR community. Glad you found us. Sorry your having to go through all this. Best wishes and good luck.
 
Thanks for your imput

Thanks for your imput

I've read all the replies that people have posted to my questions about multiple operations. (I've been out of town or I would have done so sooner):) Thank you for your messages of support. I've taken a few things from your comments. I need to know more. A lot of you felt that I need to change surgeons or at least get a second opinion.

In all honesty, I like and trust my surgeon. He's not in a hurry to operate and doesn't see surgery as the only solution to every problem. He's not afraid to admit that he hasn't seen a case like mine before and he's confered with a bigger expert in Toronto. If I were to seek a second opinion, I wouldn't know who to go to. I don't think that locally I'm going to find as big an expert or as hard working a doctor as this one.

But I welcome your comments and any advice that you can give me.

Jim
 
Cleveland Clinic will do 2nd opinions if you send them all the info. You might want to look into that. This doesn't mean you'd have to go all the way to Ohio, but I'm sure they could give valuable insight that a surgeon in your area could use. Best wishes.
 
Russell,

As much as you LIKE your Surgeon, it appears to ME that he has bungled your case because he has NOT seen anyone like you before. Replacing your Mechanical Valve with a Tissue Valve (even if it is from a cadaver), almost GUARANTEES yet another replacement (your FOURTH) down the road.

You REALLY do NEED a Surgeon who HAS seen a situation similar to yours before and KNOWS what to do to "Fix it and Fix it for Good" as they say in a local TV ad for a type of Home Repair.

Sorry for being so blunt, but a 3rd and 4th OHS come with increasing RISKS to the patient and should not be taken lightly (or done by inexperienced surgeons). Something about your situation keeps making me wonder about the SKILL, KNOWLEDGE, and JUDGMENT of your Surgeon. Sorry, but that's the way I see it.

I would STILL want to know WHY he missed your aneurism the first time and WHY the Mechanical Valve needs replacing in such a short time. It is hard for me to believe it was the fault of the VALVE (regardless of who made it).

And YES, it could be a problem with your body's tissue, BUT, a surgeon with EXPERIENCE dealing with marginal tissue would probably KNOW how do deal with it (the first time).

Anyone see it differently? Or have a better idea of where the problems lay?

'AL Capshaw'
 
Leaks

Leaks

Those who have posted to your thread have posed some good questions. You have me curious about why you seem to be having issues with mechanical valves. I'm also curious about why the anneurysm wasn't addressed earlier.

-Philip
 
Hi,

Dr. Tirone(sp?) David is one of the leading valve surgeons in the world and he operates out of a hospital in Toronto. This may in fact be who your surgeon is consulting with. If I was in your position, I would want to go talk with Dr. David in person and perhaps even have him do the surgery if it is logistically feasible for you. Best of luck whatever option you choose.

Brad
 
Hi,
I had two valve surgeries this year. My mitral valve was repaired (unsuccessfully) in January; 5 months later I found out it would have to be replaced because it was still leaking. I have a connective tissue disorder which is apparently why my valve didn't take the repair. My surgeon is one of the best but I still went for a second opinion, then I sent all of my info off to Cleveland Clinic for a third. I knew there was no way around a mechanical valve and I trusted my surgeon (yes, I was angry about having to have a second OHS but there was no way around it) and in the end let him operate on me again. I think he did a great job, although I probably should have gone mechanical in the first place. It was my personal decision to use him, though, and I don't regret it. Once my case came back up he collaborated with other doctors and we met with him and he was very thorough in explaining things and making me feel comfortable about using him. In my own case, I didn't feel better about the other surgeons I got opinions from (one I felt less sure about and the Cleveland Clinic dr. was comparable so why fly to Cleveland, my own opinion). I don't know if you should change doctors but it seems you have gotten some very good advice from others here. I would definitely get more professional opinions as well, before you let someone open you up again. I personally would be wary about getting a tissue valve and face even more surgiers in the future. Sorry you are having to face another OHS, it is no fun having to go through once, not to mention more than once. Although I will tell you the surgery itself the second time was somewhat easier for me (maybe because my valve is actually working correctly). Good luck to you.
 
If he feels that tissue is the answer, I am entirely unsure of why he would want to use a homograft, when the animal tissue valves now last longer than cadaver valves. Does he not know that? Did he give any reason for choosing a homograft over a bovine or porcine tissue valve, such as a Freestyle, that encompasses both the valve and the root? Please get another opinion. If this is the same surgeon from the two previous unsuccessful surgeries, please consider a different surgeon. You could learn to like someone who can sew compromised tissue.

The anuerysm can have been formed from stress to the tissue when the first valve was placed. It's not unheard of. However, it either means he didn't have your tissue checked for connective issues when he had you open, or that he isn't overly skilled in stitching valves in borderline tissue. Neither speaks well of him for your particular case. The second valve didn't sit right, either. The appearance is that he does not have adequate (successful) experience working with myxomatous tissue. It's not a swing at him, but specific experience is a very powerful factor in dealing with this situation. The problem is that three strikes and you're out - not him.

Yeah, I know..."Tell us how you really feel, Bob..." I actually don't like the notion of shaking your faith in the surgeon. But you have to wonder if he's really the right choice for your difficult situation.

Best wishes,
 
Get a 2nd opinion

Get a 2nd opinion

If the Anyuerism came up suddnely could be a tissue dissorde which you would need to address. I don't understand the reason to have to use a tissue vavle and how or why the mech would be the problem.

In any event, thi is your life you are talking about. get a 2nd opiion and get these questions answered.

1) Was the anyuerism there before or did it develop suddenly?
2) what caused it?
3) Why problem am I having with my valve exactly?

I wish you the best in the future...
 
multiple operations an update

multiple operations an update

I know it's several months since I've posted anything, but I've been waiting a long time to see Dr Tirone David in Toronto. I saw him yesterday and I'm glad that I followed the advice of several people on the forum who said that I needed to get a second opinion.

I still need a third operation, but I can pick the time and it should be the last operation.

Thanks to all for your help.

Jim
 
Russel, That's excellent news. Don't wait too long though. You risk your heart remodelling to such an extent that irreversible damage could be done. I'm happy to know you're getting the best available care after your medical misadventures.

Take Heart,
Pamela
 
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