I’m scheduled for aortic valve replacement next Tuesday March 4th, 2008, so I’m seeking encouragement as I prepare for the climb over the mountain. I’ve been reading VR.com for several months and really appreciate the knowledge and experiences that people so openly share and thought it was time to stop lurking and introduce myself.
I had Coarctation of the aorta repaired when I was 11 and for the last 7 years have been monitoring a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) through Echos. My cardiologist said some day I would face surgery, but I figured not until my late 50s. Well, I figured wrong, my cardio said it was time last August. He confirmed it with an angiogram in October that also showed that my coronary arteries were in good shape, so I don’t need a bypass which is good news.
The valve is stenotic and incompetent. Back in October my AV opening was about ½ the normal size (1.4 cm^2), mean gradient (pressure?) was about 50 mm Hg, and ejection fraction was 50-55%. Last week the Cleveland Clinic measured an aortic valve opening of about 1/3 normal (1 cm^2) and a gradient of 88 mm Hg, so it’s getting worse. They did a Cat-Scan Angio (CTA) and found the old coarc repair was in good condition but found a moderately enlarged ascending aorta (4.5 cm dia.). The cadio there said it would have to be replaced but my surgeon assured me that if the aortic tissue was in good condition, he would first attempt a repair to resize it. That was somewhat comforting. The surgeon was confident but not cocky and I really trust him. Although my surgery is fairly routine, I am very glad to be able to go to Cleveland Clinic- Overall, I was really impressed with the place. The people were knowledgeable but very friendly and helpful. It’s a big place but the people make it feel personal. Worst part about the place is the high cost of lodging at the close motels.
For the most part, I am asymptomatic, but there are times (now most days) when my batteries feel a little run down. I guess I am somewhat fatigued but I can still go out and ski or walk for several miles with little trouble- although I do develop a little throat-clearing cough when I go hiking or skiing in the mountains. In the past I attributed the cough to an allergic reaction to trees, but now I think it might be due to my stenotic valve.
I’m hoping to connect to some of you valvers that are physically active.
I am 52 and active with hiking, biking, rafting and cross country skiing. Not that I do these things all the time. A lot of the time I'm sitting on my butt in front of a computer, but I do get out to do them occasionally as time allows. I am a field biologist, so I spend my spring and summers outside in remote areas of Colorado. I have a motorcycle but haven’t ridden it in ages due to work. I love working on old cars and I do some weekend warrior auto-racing and would like to keep the ability to participate in those activities, which means that I am facing a valve choice. My surgeon says I can tell him whether I want a tissue or mechanical valve up until the time I go to sleep. I’ll wander over to the valve selection forum for that discussion.
Thanks,
John
I had Coarctation of the aorta repaired when I was 11 and for the last 7 years have been monitoring a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) through Echos. My cardiologist said some day I would face surgery, but I figured not until my late 50s. Well, I figured wrong, my cardio said it was time last August. He confirmed it with an angiogram in October that also showed that my coronary arteries were in good shape, so I don’t need a bypass which is good news.
The valve is stenotic and incompetent. Back in October my AV opening was about ½ the normal size (1.4 cm^2), mean gradient (pressure?) was about 50 mm Hg, and ejection fraction was 50-55%. Last week the Cleveland Clinic measured an aortic valve opening of about 1/3 normal (1 cm^2) and a gradient of 88 mm Hg, so it’s getting worse. They did a Cat-Scan Angio (CTA) and found the old coarc repair was in good condition but found a moderately enlarged ascending aorta (4.5 cm dia.). The cadio there said it would have to be replaced but my surgeon assured me that if the aortic tissue was in good condition, he would first attempt a repair to resize it. That was somewhat comforting. The surgeon was confident but not cocky and I really trust him. Although my surgery is fairly routine, I am very glad to be able to go to Cleveland Clinic- Overall, I was really impressed with the place. The people were knowledgeable but very friendly and helpful. It’s a big place but the people make it feel personal. Worst part about the place is the high cost of lodging at the close motels.
For the most part, I am asymptomatic, but there are times (now most days) when my batteries feel a little run down. I guess I am somewhat fatigued but I can still go out and ski or walk for several miles with little trouble- although I do develop a little throat-clearing cough when I go hiking or skiing in the mountains. In the past I attributed the cough to an allergic reaction to trees, but now I think it might be due to my stenotic valve.
I’m hoping to connect to some of you valvers that are physically active.
I am 52 and active with hiking, biking, rafting and cross country skiing. Not that I do these things all the time. A lot of the time I'm sitting on my butt in front of a computer, but I do get out to do them occasionally as time allows. I am a field biologist, so I spend my spring and summers outside in remote areas of Colorado. I have a motorcycle but haven’t ridden it in ages due to work. I love working on old cars and I do some weekend warrior auto-racing and would like to keep the ability to participate in those activities, which means that I am facing a valve choice. My surgeon says I can tell him whether I want a tissue or mechanical valve up until the time I go to sleep. I’ll wander over to the valve selection forum for that discussion.
Thanks,
John