I am finally scheduled for TAVI next week. I will post a follow up once everything is over.
It has been an “adventure” getting to this point. It started in January with a referral from my cardiologist to a surgeon at the same hospital group for AVR. The effects of radiation therapy 40 years ago make OHS more complicated and higher risk for me. He referred me to a specialist at a leading heart hospital for evaluation. It took much longer than it should to get records and information transferred to him, but I was finally able to get an appointment at the end of February.
His analysis confirmed I needed a new valve. However, his specialty is mitral valves, so I was referred to another surgeon who focuses on aortic valves. His admin was on vacation and then needed more info from the first hospital, so it took another month to get with him.
His analysis again confirmed I needed a new valve. He felt the risk of OHS was too high and recommended TAVI. The size valve I need is only available from Medtronics. Even though the CoreValve received FDA approval earlier this year, the lawsuit from Edwards prevented them from selling it. The only way I could get it was to be added to the Continuation Phase of the Clinical Trial. I had to be approved for that, which took a couple weeks.
Finally, and what was most frustrating, was getting pre-authorization approval from my insurance. That took over three weeks.
I almost feel like an outsider, since I am not going through the full OHS like most here. I appreciate all of the info that others have posted. I learned a great deal here about valve replacement and feel “comfortable” and prepared going into this.
It has been an “adventure” getting to this point. It started in January with a referral from my cardiologist to a surgeon at the same hospital group for AVR. The effects of radiation therapy 40 years ago make OHS more complicated and higher risk for me. He referred me to a specialist at a leading heart hospital for evaluation. It took much longer than it should to get records and information transferred to him, but I was finally able to get an appointment at the end of February.
His analysis confirmed I needed a new valve. However, his specialty is mitral valves, so I was referred to another surgeon who focuses on aortic valves. His admin was on vacation and then needed more info from the first hospital, so it took another month to get with him.
His analysis again confirmed I needed a new valve. He felt the risk of OHS was too high and recommended TAVI. The size valve I need is only available from Medtronics. Even though the CoreValve received FDA approval earlier this year, the lawsuit from Edwards prevented them from selling it. The only way I could get it was to be added to the Continuation Phase of the Clinical Trial. I had to be approved for that, which took a couple weeks.
Finally, and what was most frustrating, was getting pre-authorization approval from my insurance. That took over three weeks.
I almost feel like an outsider, since I am not going through the full OHS like most here. I appreciate all of the info that others have posted. I learned a great deal here about valve replacement and feel “comfortable” and prepared going into this.
