I used to post here under the same Moniker BadMad (live in North of Ireland) some 15 years ago when I was waiting on my second aortic valve replacement surgery. This board was of tremendous support to me at that time. I wonder are there many posters still around from that time?
If any of you were around then you might remember that my surgery was filmed as part of a BBC documentary called ‘Super Docs’ screened the the UK & Ireland in 2009. I think it’s still up on YouTube.
I had my first BAV replacement surgery in 2001 at age 23. I went for a homograph tissue so I could return to contact sport competitively but by 2007 it appeared the valve was failing and my ascending aorta was moderately dilated. So later that year I was scheduled for a second surgery to replace the valve with a mechanical one and the replacement of my aortic root in some form. I had discussed at length with the surgeon and the plan was either to do a Bentall or a graft on the area affected. In the end he replaced the valve but decided during the operation to go with the more conservative approach and leave the aorta alone - long story but it was something that concerned me and I always felt that over time it would dilate further and a third surgery would be required. So after almost 14 years, at 43 years old, I feel I am approaching that point with the aorta 53mm at the sinus of valvula and over the last year it has dilated by 3mm & 4mm at a couple of different points. All scans have been Echo’s compared v MRI each time.
So I am scheduled for a cardiac gated CT scan in July which will probably be the first steps to a third surgery. I should say that
a relatively young, fit, active person I have had zero issues with warfarin during those 14 years and my valve is still working perfectly.
I suppose I was wondering if any of you had similar stories of being faced with a third surgery and the risks? During my second surgery I had a bleed as my the surgeon cut into the right atrium due to the scar tissue. Thankfully it was brought under control quickly but I understand the scar tissue from previous ops makes surgery trickier.
I wondered if anyone has ever needed surgery on their aorta in the presence of having a mechanical balance that is working fine. And in that case do they leave the valve as it is? Thanks for reading my story![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
If any of you were around then you might remember that my surgery was filmed as part of a BBC documentary called ‘Super Docs’ screened the the UK & Ireland in 2009. I think it’s still up on YouTube.
I had my first BAV replacement surgery in 2001 at age 23. I went for a homograph tissue so I could return to contact sport competitively but by 2007 it appeared the valve was failing and my ascending aorta was moderately dilated. So later that year I was scheduled for a second surgery to replace the valve with a mechanical one and the replacement of my aortic root in some form. I had discussed at length with the surgeon and the plan was either to do a Bentall or a graft on the area affected. In the end he replaced the valve but decided during the operation to go with the more conservative approach and leave the aorta alone - long story but it was something that concerned me and I always felt that over time it would dilate further and a third surgery would be required. So after almost 14 years, at 43 years old, I feel I am approaching that point with the aorta 53mm at the sinus of valvula and over the last year it has dilated by 3mm & 4mm at a couple of different points. All scans have been Echo’s compared v MRI each time.
So I am scheduled for a cardiac gated CT scan in July which will probably be the first steps to a third surgery. I should say that
a relatively young, fit, active person I have had zero issues with warfarin during those 14 years and my valve is still working perfectly.
I suppose I was wondering if any of you had similar stories of being faced with a third surgery and the risks? During my second surgery I had a bleed as my the surgeon cut into the right atrium due to the scar tissue. Thankfully it was brought under control quickly but I understand the scar tissue from previous ops makes surgery trickier.
I wondered if anyone has ever needed surgery on their aorta in the presence of having a mechanical balance that is working fine. And in that case do they leave the valve as it is? Thanks for reading my story