Video from U of Penn - Patient Had BAV & Aneurysm Surgery

[Arlyss]

This video from the U of Pennsylvania dates back to 2004. It is an example of someone with bicuspid aortic valve disease having surgery for both the bicuspid aortic valve and aneurysm. The term total hypothermic circulatory arrest is not used in the video, but this is what was done when cooling the brain to the point where the EEG is zero. At that point, both the brain and the heart have no electrical activity at all. During that time, the aneurysm is removed.

This is the complete aortic surgery for BAVD when both the ascending aortic aneurysm and bicuspid valve are dealt with in one surgery.

The man in the video, Doug Wray, at 50 is a typical example of someone with BAVD - it predominates in males and often causes problems at this age.

This is a video about aortic disease. The second person in the video, Robert Smith, has a different type of aortic problem - an aneurysm of the descending/thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Since the video was published, these stent grafts were approved, but only in this part of the aorta. The ascending aorta, which is involved in BAVD, must be treated with open surgery - there is no other choice today.

Here is the link - the video is in 3 parts. Someone with BAVD can certainly relate to this, and also those who wait for them through the long hours of surgery and those critical first 24 hours.

http://www.pennhealth.com/vitalsigns/feb04/promo.html

Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[Arlyss]

Hi Rachel,

There may seem to be a bit too much drama in this video, but that is not really the case. It is not possible to be too dramatic when it comes to aneurysms and their ability to take life suddenly. This is something you know much too well through your own experience.....your triumph over a very dangerous situation and your life today bring to mind just one word....miracle!

Best wishes,
Arlyss