Well here I go again. OHS surgery for AVR scheduled at Univ. of VA 3/31/15. My Medtronics bioprosthesis (pig) aortic valve is calcified after less than 3 years (I was 56 when replaced). I originally was operated on for aortic regurgitation, now its calcified and stenotic. The gradient across the valve is 65. I understand that that number is bad (determined from my echo in Jan). I originally chose a biosprosthesis because I had 2 episodes of bleeding into my abdominal wall when on coumadin (for atrial fib) ( or Lovenox) and in the throws of bad asthma. I also need my left coronary artery bypassed in the region of former myocardial bridging that was not operated on the first time.
This time thinking hard on a mechanical (On-X my surgeon suggested). I sure don't want to go for #3 OHS and I am still "young" for the bioprosthetic valve. I definitely bruised much more on the coumadin before, not looking forward to that. I am sure I was not well regulated...will want to do home monitoring of my INRs. What is the best machine?
Thanks for the help and moral support!
LynnS
This time thinking hard on a mechanical (On-X my surgeon suggested). I sure don't want to go for #3 OHS and I am still "young" for the bioprosthetic valve. I definitely bruised much more on the coumadin before, not looking forward to that. I am sure I was not well regulated...will want to do home monitoring of my INRs. What is the best machine?
Thanks for the help and moral support!
LynnS