Recent content by Brookwood

Nice to read your post.

St. Jude Tissue Valve has been on European market for about 20 years and has a good track record for longevity. The 5 year FDA trial for St. Jude Epic Tissue Valve has been completed and it has been approved for use in USA recently.

I have a porcine valve in aortic position. No A-Fib before or after surgery. Never took coumadin, just baby Aspirin. I'm almost seven weeks now. EJ

I am 39 and I've had my pocine valve for 6 weeks. I was fit and had no symptom before my heart murmur was caught in an annual physical exam early this year. After that, I did feel my heart was a little different. I got the news ON MY BIRTHDAY that my valve was leaking, my heart had enlarged, and...

Sorry if it sounded like I was preaching one option over another. That was not my intention. I was simply trying to point out a logic gap in the "worksheet". I don't think one can come to the conclusion that "mechanical valves are the preferred choice for children, teens, and adults age 60 and...

I do think some of the logics in these articles are problematic. For example in http://www.cigna.com/healthinfo/uf45...l#uf4587-Intro "Mechanical valves last at least 20 to 30 years in most cases. The greater durability of a mechanical valve makes it less likely that you will have to replace...

Hi, Nancy, Welcome to VR. I totally understand how you are feeling now. My husband just had surgery 5 weeks ago. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since we knew his diagnosis three months ago. The hardest part is the wait. I cried so many times and lost 7 lbs before his surgery, I am a...

I found this at Cleveland Clinic's website. Hope it helps for new members. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/services/surgery/transcript_avr.aspx by Dr. Bruce Lytle Hello, I'm Dr. Bruce Lytle and during the 28 years that I've been a cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most...

Glad to hear your good news. Best wishes.

Looking forward to hear your good news. Keep us posted.

My husband was admitted to hospital the day before the surgery. They had him shower with three special soaps three times-twice the night before and once the next morning. As for shaving, a pro of hospital shaved him from head to toe one hour before surgery. Good luck!

Wish you a successful surgery and an uneventful recovery. Keep us posted.

Hang in there. Good luck and an uneventful recovery to you. Keep us posted.

You will be in our prayers and thoughts. We are looking forward to your good news.

Great news. An uneventful recovery to you.