P
PWolff
Hello,
My name is Patrick Wolff. I am 34 years old and have aortic insufficiency (regurgitation) due to a biscupid valve that has been monitored for almost 13 years now. Recently my measurements have gotten into the "severe" range (6.6 and 4.1 LV measurements with 60% or less ejection fraction), and my cardiologist is recommending that surgery is on the horizon soon. So now I have to start thinking about which procedure, which valve, which surgeon, and when to do it... Ugh.
Now that I've started researching the whole thing, I've discovered that in addition to the various valve replacement options, there is also the possibility of having the valve repaired. Through reading the *incredibly helpful* Peter Easton string about selecting a valve, I saw something about valve repair, and the surgeon Dr. Tirone David, in Toronto. So I looked him up on the Web and sent him an email.
I emailed Dr. David Sunday afternoon, and incredibly by Sunday evening he sent me this response:
Dear Mr Wolff,
Aortic valve repair is the probably the best option for patients with aortic insufficiency and bicuspid aortic valve as long as the aortic cusps are of good quality and the insufficiency is caused by prolapse of only one cusp.
In order to determine if your aortic valve is repairable, you would have to have a transesophageal echocardiogram and the cardiologist has to carefully interrogate each component of the aortic root, i.e. in addition of obtaining multiple views of cusps, the diameters of the aortic annulus, sinuses of Valsalva and sinotubular junction should also be measured.
If you are willing to undergo this test I would be pleased to review it and give an opinion re. repairability of your valve.
Tirone David, M.D.
Well, I was really floored by such a detailed and helpful response so quickly to someone he had never met! I sent this to my cardiologist and she agreed that I should have the TEE so we could send the results to Dr. David and see what he says.
My question to anyone out there: Have you heard of or researched aortic valve repair? (And for good measure, do you know anything about Dr. David? He seems to have a good reputation, but I know little else about him.)
Also, my former cardiologist recommended my case for aortic valve repair to Dr. Cosgrove at Cleveland. Cosgrove said I had a "70% probability of successful repair"(with flesh valve replacement if the repair was unsuccessful -- he didn't say anything about what valve to replace with) with a 15% probability of reoperation within 10 years. But Cosgrove never asked for a TEE! Strange... Does anyone out there know more?
By the way, let me tell you that this Web site is really incredible! I could never have imagined that there was such a wonderful and vibrant community for people who need to have their heart valve replaced, but I am so grateful you are all here!
My name is Patrick Wolff. I am 34 years old and have aortic insufficiency (regurgitation) due to a biscupid valve that has been monitored for almost 13 years now. Recently my measurements have gotten into the "severe" range (6.6 and 4.1 LV measurements with 60% or less ejection fraction), and my cardiologist is recommending that surgery is on the horizon soon. So now I have to start thinking about which procedure, which valve, which surgeon, and when to do it... Ugh.
Now that I've started researching the whole thing, I've discovered that in addition to the various valve replacement options, there is also the possibility of having the valve repaired. Through reading the *incredibly helpful* Peter Easton string about selecting a valve, I saw something about valve repair, and the surgeon Dr. Tirone David, in Toronto. So I looked him up on the Web and sent him an email.
I emailed Dr. David Sunday afternoon, and incredibly by Sunday evening he sent me this response:
Dear Mr Wolff,
Aortic valve repair is the probably the best option for patients with aortic insufficiency and bicuspid aortic valve as long as the aortic cusps are of good quality and the insufficiency is caused by prolapse of only one cusp.
In order to determine if your aortic valve is repairable, you would have to have a transesophageal echocardiogram and the cardiologist has to carefully interrogate each component of the aortic root, i.e. in addition of obtaining multiple views of cusps, the diameters of the aortic annulus, sinuses of Valsalva and sinotubular junction should also be measured.
If you are willing to undergo this test I would be pleased to review it and give an opinion re. repairability of your valve.
Tirone David, M.D.
Well, I was really floored by such a detailed and helpful response so quickly to someone he had never met! I sent this to my cardiologist and she agreed that I should have the TEE so we could send the results to Dr. David and see what he says.
My question to anyone out there: Have you heard of or researched aortic valve repair? (And for good measure, do you know anything about Dr. David? He seems to have a good reputation, but I know little else about him.)
Also, my former cardiologist recommended my case for aortic valve repair to Dr. Cosgrove at Cleveland. Cosgrove said I had a "70% probability of successful repair"(with flesh valve replacement if the repair was unsuccessful -- he didn't say anything about what valve to replace with) with a 15% probability of reoperation within 10 years. But Cosgrove never asked for a TEE! Strange... Does anyone out there know more?
By the way, let me tell you that this Web site is really incredible! I could never have imagined that there was such a wonderful and vibrant community for people who need to have their heart valve replaced, but I am so grateful you are all here!