Recent content by arkiebelle

My electrophysiologist has said that I need an ablation near my mechanical mitral valve to treat my persistent a-fib. He is referring me to a specialist in Plano, TX. Has anyone had this procedure? I've had a cryoablation but not near the valve. Allergic to tykosin. Amiodorone hasn't worked...

I got 11 years out of my bovine valve. My 2nd valve replacement was Halloween 2018. There are a lot of things I didn't know about the 2nd surgery. It was much more complicated and risky. The recovery was slower and more difficult. And I thought, like a lot of others, that by the time I had to do...

I'm pretty new to warfarin and my INR has been all over the place at times. I am so thankful that the heart hospital in my city has a coagulation clinic staffed by RNs who are trained in this area.

I don't regret my tissue valve at all but it hasn't been easy. I was 36 when I had my first OHS and chose a tissue valve because I wanted to have a child. I knew the price for that is another surgery in the future. Fast forward 11 years, that precious baby that I had prayed for is almost 8. I...

I had a Carpentier Edwards bovine valve, mitral position. It lasted 11 years. I was 36 when I got it. I now have a mechanical valve.

I chose a bovine mitral valve in 2007 at the age of 36. I was single with no kids. I chose tissue so it would be safer to have a baby. Fast forward 12 years. I am married and that "baby" is 7. The time came to pay the piper. I developed tachycardia, a-fib/a-flutter and mitral stenosis. I had my...