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Hi! When my aortic valve was replaced (mech valve - all is well) the surgeon described it as 'bicuspid with a poorly formed 3rd leaflet'. I have a new cardiologist recently since my original retired, the new doctor started asking questions about whether it was a BAV (it's not clear) and if I was...

Any Apple watch fans out there? I am considering getting an Apple Watch 5 since I like to go for walks (3-4 mi) and bike rides, and also like Yoga. I am interested in the heart rate and EKG features of the Apple watch, also the emergency call ability with the Apple watch + cellular. Especially...

I recently saw a new cardiologist, as my beloved cardiologist who saw me through a pregnancy and valve replacement retired. She wanted more information on whether my valve was bi-cuspid, and I informed her I was told after surgery it was a 'bicuspid with a poorly formed 3rd leaflet'. She...

Has anyone experienced a drug-drug interaction with an oral contraceptive? I have been on Ortho Evra since a few years prior to my surgery. It's now a few years after my aortic valve replacement surgery with a mechanical valve. My coumadin dose has been raised slowly to accomodate my PT-INR...

Hi all, Weird question - I have a swollen gland on the left side of my neck but no sore throat, no fever, no other symptoms. I do tend to get sinus problems so perhaps one of my 'way back' sinuses is backed up but again no symptoms there. It's been bugging me since last Saturday and I know...

Anyone carry extra coumadin in a pillbox on an airplane lately? The new security restrictions were only letting you take on presciption bottles w/ your name on it, and this is pretty inconvenient. I can't figure out if a small pillbox with extra supplies is acceptable these days or not...

Here's a new article in Medscape about the anticoagulant pipeline. FYI only. I'm not holding my breath. Sorry if the formatting didn't come out right, seems I can't attach a pdf document? Patty New Oral Anticoagulants Raise Hopes for Warfarin Replacement from Heartwire ? a professional news...

http://www.lifesciencemedia.com/staging/1788/1788wmv/ In development but interesting catheter inserted-type aortic valve. I have an ATS mechanical valve (St. Jude-like) and ATS just bought the company that makes this. Patty

Press release for data that will be presented soon on 'my' valve type. ATS Open Pivot(R) Heart Valve Performance Featured in Two Clinical Studies Presented at The World Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons 16th World Congress...

Can anyone recommend a brand of protein bar that has no vitamin K? I read labels religiously but would prefer to go with a brand that's already been 'tested' by a fellow coumadin-taker. I really miss my protein bars! I've been off them since surgery due to caution on some of them having vit k...

I recently started having hypersensitivity in my skin on the back of my arm and some areas on the side of my abdomen towards the armpit. The PI for coumadin lists paresthesis as a potential side effect, and I was wondering if anyone else has had this as a reaction to the drug? I'm also going to...

A better title might be, "how many specialists can one have??" I have my cardiologist, OB/GYN, psychiatrist (for past depression - gee, there's a coincidence), opthamologist (past detached retina), dentist, I think that's it. But who do y'all go to for a sinus infection, sore throat, etc...

I had my first post-op echo after AVR w/ a mechanical valve, and my LV had already gone down 0.5 cm. Was 6.2, now is 5.7 at diastole. My heart is now officially in "normal" range. Oh yeah, and no leaks :D Woo woo! My cardio said it can take up to a year to see adjustment in a heart enlarged from...

I'm having the post-surgery back to work blahs. I went back to work 6 1/2 weeks post surgery, just in time for the busy season. It's been non-stop, and while the work isn't physically demanding, I was hoping to have time to continue my daily walking somehow. I'm also a single mom and come...

I recently had an AVR with a prosthetic valve. A good friend asked me how the valve is sewn in to the heart/aorta interface so it will not leak. I could only find references to suturing techniques, but have no idea how this works. :confused: Does the aorta "grow" onto the valve ring? Do the...

I sailed through the surgery and have been recovering at Rush here since last Wednesday afternoon. I'm ready to go home except yesterday my INR was too low for the surgeon to release me (1.26). So I'll find out in a half hour if I get to go home today. Getting a little buggy, I'm counting on...

I go in tomorrow for an angiogram and my AVR is the next day. Just wanted to say this site has been a lifeline for me. At this point I am calmly ready to get this f*#@ing thing fixed. Thanks for all the info, support, words of encouragement, etc etc etc. I am so grateful I found this site...

I have my surgery scheduled for Sept 7 and am planning on getting a St. Jude aortic valve, but I'm still trying to come to grips with the repercussions of being on coumadin. I was wondering - what is bruising like while on coumadin? Do you bruise more easily? Or, do the same type of things...

This is a pre-publication abstract available on the Heart Surgery Forum website. Since this forum talks about repeat surgeries often, I thought some statistics should be posted. NOTE: This is not a complete and thorough literature search, I came across this article and posted it since it's brand...

Hi all, I just graduated from the waiting room (12 yr veteran) and my surgery is scheduled - Sept 6 angiogram, Sept 7 surgery. My doc thought it best I piggyback the two since we both don't trust me to lay low after the angiogram. I'm a bit anxious but relieved, the last month has been...