Bob in Colorado
Well-known member
Hi All.
I posted most of this in the valve selection forum and then realized that it probably should really have been here instead.
It has been a few months since I joined and participated in some great discussions about valve replacement choices. Life got in the way on regular participation. This is a terrific forum and is a great support to those of us that have to deal with this stuff.
I had a bicuspid aortic valve (like many on here) and had a homograft in March of 2000 at age 48 at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Joseph Sabik. All went well until gradual deterioration started at about year 6 or 7. Now I have severe regurgitation and some starting of stenosis. I have always been quite active but now can definitely feel the familiar symptoms of over exertion, chest pressure, and blood "whooshing" sounds in my ears.
I am now scheduled to go back to Cleveland on September 7 and have a re-operation. After much research and consideration, I decided that for a second surgery that I would choose a mechanical valve - though I recovered well from the first surgery, I am not looking forward to this second and *really* don't want to have a third if I can help it!
My Colorado cardiologist recommends the SJM but I am inclined to the On-X - I have been convinced by what I have learned here and directly from the On-X company - and I can recognize what I do believe are improvements in design and technology. Dr Pettersson of Cleveland Clinic will do the surgery. I am planning to have a consultation with him later this month.
Right now I would arrive on September 7th for a few days of tests before surgery on the 11th. I just wanted to jump back in here to say hello. This is a great resource.
Bob in Colorado
I posted most of this in the valve selection forum and then realized that it probably should really have been here instead.
It has been a few months since I joined and participated in some great discussions about valve replacement choices. Life got in the way on regular participation. This is a terrific forum and is a great support to those of us that have to deal with this stuff.
I had a bicuspid aortic valve (like many on here) and had a homograft in March of 2000 at age 48 at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Joseph Sabik. All went well until gradual deterioration started at about year 6 or 7. Now I have severe regurgitation and some starting of stenosis. I have always been quite active but now can definitely feel the familiar symptoms of over exertion, chest pressure, and blood "whooshing" sounds in my ears.
I am now scheduled to go back to Cleveland on September 7 and have a re-operation. After much research and consideration, I decided that for a second surgery that I would choose a mechanical valve - though I recovered well from the first surgery, I am not looking forward to this second and *really* don't want to have a third if I can help it!
My Colorado cardiologist recommends the SJM but I am inclined to the On-X - I have been convinced by what I have learned here and directly from the On-X company - and I can recognize what I do believe are improvements in design and technology. Dr Pettersson of Cleveland Clinic will do the surgery. I am planning to have a consultation with him later this month.
Right now I would arrive on September 7th for a few days of tests before surgery on the 11th. I just wanted to jump back in here to say hello. This is a great resource.
Bob in Colorado
