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T

TRiste

I have know for a few years that I would be needing Aortic Valve replacement Surgery. I am 50 years old and it seems like I will be needing it soon. I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a surgeon in Minnesota. It does look like the Mayo Clinic would be a good choice. Anu expericences?
 
TRiste said:
I have know for a few years that I would be needing Aortic Valve replacement Surgery. I am 50 years old and it seems like I will be needing it soon. I am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a surgeon in Minnesota. It does look like the Mayo Clinic would be a good choice. Anu expericences?
Click to expand...

Our entire family was always well connected to the medical community in Minnesota. On the recommendation of several different doctors, I chose:

Dr. Vibhu R Kshettry, MD Phone: 612 863-3950
Fax: 612-863-3739
[email protected]
Specialty: Thoracic Surgery
Office
Mpls Cardio Thoracic Surgery Consultants
920 E 28th Street, Suite 610
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 863-6900

Surgery performed at:
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis, MN 55430
Phone: (612) 863-4000

There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Kshettry is as good as they come. In addition, he did a wonderful job of communicating with my wife during the time I was in the recovery room. The hospital was very good about allowing my wife to stay with me 24/7. (And providing the necessary furniture/bedding for her comfort. They provided in-room internet access (mostly for my wife), and pretty much unlimited access to the hospital cafeteria. I couldn't have been more pleased.
 
Minnesota

Minnesota

Thank you so much. Abbott Northwestern is one of the Hospitals that I thought would be a place to check out. I am new to this site, so this is very informative!
 
I had my surgery at the Mayo clinic and would be happy to share my experiences with you if you want...just pm me. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my experience there...they were just great.

Kim
 
Minnesota

Minnesota

Thank you so much. I would love to hear about your experience. I'm not sure how to PM. This is my first time on the forum.
I have moderate to severe regurgitation and have started to have some symptoms. I thought it would be a good idea to start surgeon shopping. Who was your surgeon?
 
I just sent you a pm....if you can't figure out how to get it, just post here and we'll tell you. By the way, welcome.

Kim
 
Hello and Welcome!

My husband had Dr Thomas Orzsulak at Mayo Clinic (check spelling in my signature, just in case, lol!) He was the first surgeon to really explore all of my husband's options at the time of surgery, instead of just insisting on a mechanical valve due to his age. Please feel free to send an email if you have any questions. We are so busy, we don't get back to the board as often as we like.
 
Since you started this thread in the Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Connective Tissue Disorder Forum, my first Question for you would be to ask if you have a Bicuspid Aortic Valve?

IF you have BAV, then it would be wise to have your *entire* aorta checked for aneurisms or other signs of a Connective Tissue Disorder. The best tests for aneurisms are a Chest CT or MRI.

IF you have BAV and a Connective Tissue Disorder, then it is in your Best Interest to find a Surgeon who has extensive experience doing surgery of the Aorta. This is another level above what your basic Bypass and First Time Valve Surgeon would be comfortable performing.

Dr. Sundt at the Mayo Clinic seems to be the Top Aorta Surgeon in Minnesota. He did the surgery on our member "MNmom". He was trained by Dr. Kouchowkos (sp?) who is a renouned Aorta Specialist. You may want to review MNmom's posts / threads to check out her story.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Timberwolf to Mayo, Laker to Stanford in 2005

Timberwolf to Mayo, Laker to Stanford in 2005

Fred Hoiberg MN NBA player, now management, speaks highly of Dr. Hartzell Schaff at Mayo. That same summer of 2005, the Lakers sent their rookie Ronnie Turiaf to Stanford for aortic surgery. Unlike Hoiberg, he returned to play in 6 months. I grimace whenever he holds his breath (increase intraaortic pressure) as he drives the lane. Wonder if his surgeon braced the sutures any different than usual. Last summer he signed a 4 year $17 million dollar contract with San Francisco (which gets him closer to his surgeon!) Gotta get some of his jerseys for the people on this forum. Go Ronnie!
 
Minnesota

Minnesota

I had my first surgery in 1979 at Abbott Northwestern using the cardios at Mpls Heart and the surgeons from MN Thoracic. Little did I know at the time I was stepping up to a cardiac buffet and have been dining there for all these years. I actually think my first through third surgeon has retired which makes me think I have been there far to long. Right now on this day if asked which surgeon I would call in it would be Dr Frazier Eales. Like Dennis I trust them repeatedly with my life and they never let me down. I was referred to the Mayo but my federal employees insurance the Mayo was considered out of network. If you have time there is not a reason to check out both Abbott and Mayo. Either choice you will win.
Kathleen
 
Hello all, I was just reading Alcapshaw2, what does bav and connective tissue disorder mean plaese ? I have just had mri and have bav congenital, no sign of anerysm at this time so does that mean no tissue disorder, sorry, bit new to it all, clearly a little confused ?? PS will the docter state in mri report if I have connective tissue disease ? Thanks all, ps think all this info ai fantatsticc and people here in reallly inspiring, cheers , bit of a chicken x
 
bit of a chicken said:
Hello all, I was just reading Alcapshaw2, what does bav and connective tissue disorder mean plaese ? I have just had mri and have bav congenital, no sign of anerysm at this time so does that mean no tissue disorder, sorry, bit new to it all, clearly a little confused ?? PS will the docter state in mri report if I have connective tissue disease ? Thanks all, ps think all this info ai fantatsticc and people here in reallly inspiring, cheers , bit of a chicken x
Click to expand...

Here is a great site to learn all about BAV disease http://bicuspidfoundation.com/Bicuspid_Aortic_Valve_Disease.html#Anchor19
 
I found out in May 2008 I also have a BAV with a 4.4cm ascending aneurysm and will need repair of the aneurym - will be 41. Surprisingly enough, the valve is working good - no regurge or sten. I will go to Dr. Vibhu R Kshettry to have it done when it's time. I know someone that had their valve and root done by him several years ago and was very happy. Mayo is good, but not sure if you have to go that far to get it done by a good doc and Kshettry is supposed to the be one of the best here in the TC.
 
The Mayo Clinic is wonderful. You couldn't go wrong if you tried. As far as surgons go up there mine has since passed on, so I do not have any personal recomendation.

Good Luck To you & God Bless
 
Just so you know (if it matters to you) I didn't personally care for Dr. Kshettry. He was rude to both my husband and I, on separate occasions. Others may have had different experiences. If bedside manner doesn't matter to you, then you might not mind. It's pretty important to me to feel like my doctor respects me...or at least treats me like he does. I asked my cardio, who works at Abbott Northwestern also, if there were other doctors there at about the same skill level as Dr. Kshettry, and he suggested Dr. Tim Kroshus might be a good match for me.

Dr. Kroshus was extremely nice, respectful, and took more than enough time to answer all my questions. I'm on my way to see him right now! I'll let you know how I liked him AFTER surgery. ;-)

By the way, if my doc had said no one else at the hospital was on a similar skill level, I would have just gone with Dr. Kshettry. I just felt like if I could get someone I was comfortable with, AND who was also very good, why not go with that person?
 
Oh, and as far as Abbott goes, I've gotten good care there, the heart hospital is newer and nice, and you always get a nice private room. There's wifi, too. They don't let the spouse stay overnight in the icu with you, though, but I fought for it and they're letting my husband stay. And my doc said that for my surgery there's a 1% death rate at that hospital. But I think that may have been for someone of my age/health level.
 
glopps said:
I found out in May 2008 I also have a BAV with a 4.4cm ascending aneurysm and will need repair of the aneurym - will be 41. Surprisingly enough, the valve is working good - no regurge or sten. I will go to Dr. Vibhu R Kshettry to have it done when it's time. I know someone that had their valve and root done by him several years ago and was very happy. Mayo is good, but not sure if you have to go that far to get it done by a good doc and Kshettry is supposed to the be one of the best here in the TC.
Click to expand...

You need to know that Surgery of the Aorta is another level BEYOND 'mere Valve Replacement' and is best performed by someone with LOTS of Experience doing surgery of the aorta. ASK this surgeon about his experience doing Aorta Repairs.

Dr. Sundt at Mayo Clinic is THE Aorta Specialist in MN from what I read.

'AL Capshaw'
 
At 42 yrs old, I had a BAVR and Root (5.1) job. Abbott Heart Inst. was great.
Dr. Fraizer Eales did the work and did a fine job. Great demeanor, tons of experience. Nice bedside mannerisms.
Even my sternum scar is slight in my opinion.
Apparently he is a great seamstress to boot!
 
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