karen14
Well-known member
I'm 46 years old, born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve (2 leaflets instead of normal 3); and Marfan's Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. I eventually became weaker and weaker, with the cardiologist finally telling me that I needed the surgery or I would die.
Just before the valve replacement surgery, they also found my aorta itself was enlarged due to the constant years of excessive blood flow pressure on it (the same thing that killed actor John Ritter, only his wasn't caught, and sadly, ruptured; God rest his soul). I personally believe they specifically looked at my aorta due to Ritter's cause of death, as this was often over-looked previously.
So I had the aortic valve replaced with a metal one, as they advised that pig valves wear out faster and are usually put in older people (due to a higher risk of death in a 2nd surgery). They also did a graft on my aorta itself, strengthening it, for the above mentioned condition.
Soon after surgery I learned the valve is still putting out too much blood. Like 3cm more than it should be. How could this be? I was very sad to hear this, as I had put off having the surgery as long as I could (10 years +).
Well I'll be having a cardio exam late February & will let you know how I'm doing. It is my hope that my valve will "adjust" itself, with decreasing blood flow. I just can't imagine going through that surgery again.
Just before the valve replacement surgery, they also found my aorta itself was enlarged due to the constant years of excessive blood flow pressure on it (the same thing that killed actor John Ritter, only his wasn't caught, and sadly, ruptured; God rest his soul). I personally believe they specifically looked at my aorta due to Ritter's cause of death, as this was often over-looked previously.
So I had the aortic valve replaced with a metal one, as they advised that pig valves wear out faster and are usually put in older people (due to a higher risk of death in a 2nd surgery). They also did a graft on my aorta itself, strengthening it, for the above mentioned condition.
Soon after surgery I learned the valve is still putting out too much blood. Like 3cm more than it should be. How could this be? I was very sad to hear this, as I had put off having the surgery as long as I could (10 years +).
Well I'll be having a cardio exam late February & will let you know how I'm doing. It is my hope that my valve will "adjust" itself, with decreasing blood flow. I just can't imagine going through that surgery again.
Last edited: