Aortic valve replacement

[Nanny72]

Unexpected admission to cardiac ward via A&E. For angiogram today and possible aortic valve replacement tomorrow. Advice please. Unexpected diagnosis as I am still awaiting my outpatient appointment to discuss gp diagnosis of heart failure

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hello Nanny,

sorry to hear this, the angiogram will give further insight as to what is happening, this involves entry either via the wrist or the arm and is done with local anesthetic. There may be some discomfort but other side effects are rare, I hope some of our members who have had the valve replacement will be along shortly to share their experiences

take care

Mark

[Fredders]

Hi Nanny

I had an aortic valve replacement at the beginning of November. I think I'm one of the lucky ones because I don't remember going down for the op or being in the recovery room. My op took about four hours. Had to stay in ICU an extra day because there were no beds available on the ward. Initially you will have a catheter in, drains and pacer wires coming out just below your breastbone and tubes in on the side of your neck. They will give you plenty of painkillers and don't be shy about asking for more if you need them, you need to be pain free to move around. They usually like to get you out of bed the day after your op and walking asap to avoid the risk of blood clots. The normal stay is 5-7 days, but I had to stay in a bit longer as I had to have a pacemaker fitted six days after my op due to heart block. The catheter is removed as soon as you are mobile and the other tubes after a couple of days. The pacer wires are removed last, just to make sure your heart is working okay.

I've had a mechanical valve fitted this time. I had a tissue one fitted in 2011, but that developed severe regurgitation and as I also had to have my spleen removed last year, it was safer to have the mechanical valve this time to hopefully avoid having to have any further ops. The down side is being on warfarin for the rest of my life, but that is a small price to pay and I'm getting on fine with it. Your surgeon will discuss with you which type of valve to have.

There are plenty of us who have had either aortic or mitral valve surgery so please ask any questions you have, either about the op or during your recovery. BHF also do some excellent booklets about the op and post op.

Hope everything goes well.

Wendy

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

You are by the sound of it in the best place. Your GP's referral is probably now irrelevant as you are in the system.

The only discomfort I had I the angiogram was when the dye was injected - nothing significant just felt rather warm for a few seconds.,

A friend's wife had three valves done earlier this year and was well on the road to recovery after about 6 weeks.

[KazSumm]

Hi Nanny72 I am 21wks post op

AVR. I had no idea anything was wrong with my heart, was at work in the morning and by 4pm being told I was going to need open heart surgery, and not allowed home as it was chronic Stenosis . So totally unexpected and I was in total shock. It was genetic birth defect which came to light 4days before my 57th Birthday .

I was lucky enough to breeze through the operation and was home within 5days . Can’t say I suffered any real pain and only ever took paracetamol it was more bouts of being uncomfortable,. I’ve now been back at work since 7th Nov , I’ve not had any real side effects from my medication I do some days feel more tired than others and I have got depression, which is getting better and I’m starting counselling next week. Also lot of joint pain in feet ankle and knees which was down to very low vitamin D levels now on a high daily course and can notice the difference after only a week. Whenever you are ready for more information on the operation and what to except after wards just ask, be glad to help and support you on your heart journey. But for now you are being taken care of and safe. Just think this time next year it will all be behind you. Kaz❤️💖💕

[MKB38]

Hi Nanny, everyone is different and our experiences vary. It's good to hear the good as well as problems which people have overcome. My AVR was 6 weeks ago. The op took 3 hours and I was allowed home on day 5. I am recovering very well. I still have some discomfort on my left side but have full mobility of my arm now. I only ever needed paracetamol. I refused the stronger codeine tablets which can cause constipation. My scar has healed beautifully and is only 4 inches long. My advice is to have a positive attitude. I found it wasn't half as bad as I was expecting. There's a wealth of advice on this forum from our heart buddies. Best of luck and keep us posted.

[DavidSimpson]

Hi Nanny, had much the same experience 11 years ago, post op very similar to Wendy's, except I didn't need the pacemaker. I had a mechanical valve to save any further surgery, and warfarin is no real hassle when you get used to it. The Cardiac rehab is worth it's weight in gold!

[gal4God]

Praying. This nearly happened to me a few times and lucky I came home before the op. Hopefully they can get info then send to to the hospital like they did for me.

[Hidden]

Hi Nanny 😊 The others have given great accounts of the surgery and what to expect after. I'm now 5.5 weeks post AVR and feeling pretty much back to 'normal' I'm walking loads and doing the cooking and light housework. I have no pain and haven't taken a painkiller since I left hospital. I did feel low for a few weeks but since the beginning of week 4, I feel loads better and have enjoyed Christmas fun!

Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery. You're in the best place and the only way is up! X

[Nanny72]

Had angiography because surgeon thought I might need bypass but only need AVR which they tell me should have been done a year ago when I first had symptoms. My GP referred me in October. My appt is not until mid January however my emergency admission pre-emptied it and the surgery will be done in the next three days