Cardiologist never heard of on-x valve

[REDJPD]

Hi All,
Just back form my 3month post avr op review with my cardiologist in RVH Belfast. I had my surgery in Mater Hospital in Dublin on 19th June on referral from that hospital. My cardiologist didn't have up to date details that I had even had my operation and hadn't heard about the On-x valve (I couldn't believe that). Granted he is not a sugeon and he stated they use the St. Jude but you'd think he'd have a basic knowledge of what valves and procedures are out there. Is this ignorance common in your experience?
This has made me a bit wary of advice given to me.

I also asked him how long it takes a heart to recover from the effects of surgery - he stated around 3 months is this right? I wish to get back running and he told me to leave it for a month or 2 - should I?

 

[Susan BAV]

I don't know about the running. Others here have more knowledge of that.

Whenever I have tests though, Johnny, and also following my valve replacement, I have found that I have to make sure I get copies of the tests and reports and even the operative report and I keep them in a file at home because I've had to hand deliver copies of these things that didn't get properly forwarded from one office to another, perhaps in a situation that you have found yourself in.

But you really need a good cardio who knows what is going on and is interested in your good care and also in progressing in his own knowledge and occupation. Especially, perhaps, if you're dealing with anticoagulation therapy.

I don't know exactly how long it takes for most peoples' hearts to fully recover from surgery but, while I saw early progress, I think it took mine well over a year to fully recover. Take care and post again .

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Some of our members have even reported that Surgeon(s) they have consulted hadn't heard of the On-X valve, or thought it was "too new". I've met a couple of surgeons that I expect will still be implanting St. Jude Valves until they Retire!

Bottom Line: The On-X Valves were introduced to the World Market in 1996 and approved by the FDA for use in the USA in 2001. They are now approaching 70,000 valves implanted in 60 countries around the world.

FWIW, my own Cardio confesses that he has not studied the literature on the On-X Valve and he knows that is my 'first choice' for future Valve Replacement.

 

[Leeroy996]

Just shows how fantastic this web page is. Plenty of info here on the On-x.
Surgeon's and Cardiologists seem to know about the valves their hospital uses. This seems to be true of the different types of tissue valves.

I'm a week away from 3 months. The first 3 months were set to a max of 120. The next 3 months will be 150, then I get an echo and a in final check up. That's still far from what I'm capable of. I wear a heart rate monitor all day and set a max alarm.
6 months seems to be a number a lot of surgeons use.

 

[Alistair]

It just so happens yesterday I went to my GP for a follow-up after surgery. He was unaware that I had even had surgery as he had yet to receive the 'paper work'. Understandable.

He listened to my heart and said the valve was clicking nicely. He went on to say that he had a female patient earlier in the day who also had a valve replacement, a pig valve. She was concerned because she could not hear it click as she had anticipated...nor could my GP. I said, "Gee, I didn't think a biological valve would click as a mechanical valve does". He looked at me with a smile and a "duh" face.

I guess even Doctors have "blond" moments or was it a "Senior" moment.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hmmm....

as Valve Patients, we tend to have a pretty intense focus on Valves and Valve issues.

BUT, in the Big Picture of Heart Disease, Valve Disease only represents 10% of a typical Cardiology Group's patients.

Even in Coumadin Clinics, Mechanical Valvers only represent about 11 or 12% of the patients.

Bottom Line: (pun intended) - Maybe we Valve Patients don't get all the attention we would like (from PCP's and Cardiologists) because we don't generate as much Revenue for the providers as other patient groups.

Surgeons seem to take more notice and show more interest in Valve Issues.

What do 'you' think? - (anyone?)

 

[ricks399]

Amen

Amen

to that, Al. I think interventional cardiologists would much rather do caths and open arteries than mess with valve patients. Surgeons, on the other hand, appreciate us. Why? Maybe they can exercise their skill and knowledge a bit more on a valve replacement versus a bypass. As for pcp's, how many valve patients would they see in their practice? I can think of several people on this site (including you) who probably no more about valves and their replacement than my pcp.

 

[Leah]

My cardiologist didn't have up to date details that I had even had my operation and hadn't heard about the On-x valve (I couldn't believe that). Granted he is not a sugeon and he stated they use the St. Jude but you'd think he'd have a basic knowledge of what valves and procedures are out there. Is this ignorance common in your experience? This has made me a bit wary of advice given to me.

I agree that it's important to have a very competent cardiologist who knows valve issues, but it may not be a reasonable assumption that the skill set of an excellent general cardiologist includes knowing the ins and outs of valve brands. If you think about the time they spend with patients and the time they must spend on professional education about issues for which they actually have responsibility...perhaps not.

I also asked him how long it takes a heart to recover from the effects of surgery - he stated around 3 months is this right? I wish to get back running and he told me to leave it for a month or 2 - should I?

This is a wonderful site that draws many highly informed lay people. One of the benefits of conversing online with highly informed lay people who have a common medical concern is that it can generate important questions to research or to bring back to your own doctors. In the end, however, it's the docs who have been to medical school - and of course no one on this site can possibly have the whole scoop on your medical condition.

 

[Susan BAV]

Hmmm....

as Valve Patients, we tend to have a pretty intense focus on Valves and Valve issues.

BUT, in the Big Picture of Heart Disease, Valve Disease only represents 10% of a typical Cardiology Group's patients.

Even in Coumadin Clinics, Mechanical Valvers only represent about 11 or 12% of the patients.

Bottom Line: (pun intended) - Maybe we Valve Patients don't get all the attention we would like (from PCP's and Cardiologists) because we don't generate as much Revenue for the providers as other patient groups.

Surgeons seem to take more notice and show more interest in Valve Issues.

What do 'you' think? - (anyone?)

There is a group of suave cardios that are "popular" in my area and seen by many. But they just did not know much about valve issues. I didn't realize this at first. It took years of scratching my head over it, wondering how our communications generally went so poorly, before I realized that they weren't really interested in valve issues. As it turns out, the fat cats in that cardiology group specialize in pharmaceutical studies, and are apparently now resting on their wealthy laurels. It wasn't the place for me and their final advice to me could have been deadly.

I don't know if the [above] situation is common but the cardio I see now seems to know what is going on, he shows interest in my good care, and he is progressive in his knowledge and information. I'm sure there are many good cardios out there but we may need to find ones who are familiar and/or specialize in our issues.

No doubt you find this to be true also, as a radiation survivor with your unique needs, AL.

 

[Duff Man]

It's important to remember that the MD after the doctors' names doesn't stand for "Medical Deity", even if they'd like to think so.

I know I'm going off topic a little here, but for example; I recently went to a hypertension specialist who was the FIRST doctor to acknowledge that my beta blockers were definitely causing lung problems for me, among other side effects. I talked to probably 7 doctors about the issue before this one REAL doctor came up with a good alternative solution.

Sometimes, if we really want to stay well, we have to be our own doctors.

 

[Guest]

I guess even Doctors have "blond" moments or was it a "Senior" moment.

If it's a female, she could very well have a 'meno moment'.

 

[maras1]

I'm finding everything mentioned above is true. I dropped 2 cardiologists and my GP because I did not feel they had my best interest at heart or knew enough about AVR to make me feel comfortable. Thank God the surgeon I was refered to knows all about it. The bottom line is, find doctors you are comfortable with. My new GP called one of the cardiologists while I was in her office to get some answers for me. I feel like I have a medical ally now. She will not put up with other doctors incompetence. I sleep much better knowing she is there for me.

 

[ctyguy]

Given what I know now if my cardiologist hadn't heard of an On-X valve I'd run for the hills. And now that I have a nice new On-X clicking away I CAN run away !