Reddog
Well-known member
Hi All,
I have an 5.4cm aneurism of the ascending aorta with a bicuspid aortic valve, and I've been told that I should have surgery soon. Although the measurement hasn't changed since 2002, apparently the doctors have changed the surgery criteria for non-Marfans patients from 5.5cm to 5.0 cm.
The aortic valve is in pretty good shape, so the surgeon suggested that I might want to get a valve sparing aortic replacement. The valve is bicuspid, so I probably won't get more than 15-20 years before it needs replacement. The alternative seems to be a Bentall's Procedure with a mechanical valve, and then I'd need to take coumadin. I'm a 46 year old man, and I'm not looking forward to taking coumadin or having another surgery!
Have any of you made the choice between a Bentall's Procedure with a mechanical valve and a valve sparing operation (David Procedure)? If so, which did you choose and why?
Thanks!
Reddog
I have an 5.4cm aneurism of the ascending aorta with a bicuspid aortic valve, and I've been told that I should have surgery soon. Although the measurement hasn't changed since 2002, apparently the doctors have changed the surgery criteria for non-Marfans patients from 5.5cm to 5.0 cm.
The aortic valve is in pretty good shape, so the surgeon suggested that I might want to get a valve sparing aortic replacement. The valve is bicuspid, so I probably won't get more than 15-20 years before it needs replacement. The alternative seems to be a Bentall's Procedure with a mechanical valve, and then I'd need to take coumadin. I'm a 46 year old man, and I'm not looking forward to taking coumadin or having another surgery!
Have any of you made the choice between a Bentall's Procedure with a mechanical valve and a valve sparing operation (David Procedure)? If so, which did you choose and why?
Thanks!
Reddog