Hey everyone, happy belated Easter. A lot of you may know me from my posts about my AVR in 2018, which is all still great. So this post isn't about me!
I'm posting on behalf of my 86-year-old uncle who is currently in hospital in London and looks like he may be having a TAVI in about a week. I've obviously been filling my family and relatives in about the procedure as I understand it (and I'm quite up to speed with it in principle).
But my question is about likely recovery times, both in and out of hospital? Clearly this is a how-long-is-a-piece-of-string question to an extent. He's 86, not in great health, very immobile/lame and scared stiff. Bearing all that in mind, can anyone who has had a TAVI cast any light on what we might be looking at re hospital stay and recovery periods, though I appreciate it will be from your own experience?
He's already been in hospital more than a week, and may have another week to wait until the procedure. But I'm imagining, even if it all goes smoothly, he might be looking at at least five days to a week in hospital after, but perhaps a quicker recovery time back home? But does that sound right?
And anything I can be passing on generally about recovery, wounds, healing etc? Any of the amazing advice this site is renowned for appreciated!
Take care everyone. Nic x
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Hi 10gingercats. To be honest I'm not 100% sure. My info is coming via my other uncle, who I had to explain the procedure to! I believe/assume for replacing an aortic valve but I am just guessing. He collapsed about a fortnight ago (while moving house) and I believe has had a pacemaker put in already and possibly a stent. But the messaging is somewhat erratic! Sorry I can't be more help. Are you also facing it? If so, good luck! We also have a ginger cat so loving the handle.
Sounds as though it is not atricuspid valve if they put in a pacemaker as they do not usually do that if the tricuspid valve is dodgy.....can't tell you why but I have read this is so.
Thank you but this sounds unlikely. More likely to be a mitral valve repair.If it were a tricuspid valve I would be interested in knowing more.Few of these are done and i am 82 and they are wavering about doing it....so am I!I look forward to hearing more!
Well I'll definitely update when I know anything more! I guess I'm only assuming aortic as that's what I had and it was mooted as a possible/likely option for me as and when I have my tissue valve replaced? Though hopefully that won't be for many years yet! But wow, very best of luck and I can understand why you were asking. Hope others on here may be able to help too. Nic x
10gingercats. TAVI is aortic valve replacement and is preferable for older patients like your uncle (and me) as it does not need GA. I had light sedation and could hear as a buzz while they were working and felt a pushing the new valve through the groin, but no pain or discomfort, really fascinating and I'm full of awe by the amazing developments there are in medicine and surgery
TAVI is a term used for 'non invasive' heart surgery according to my cardiologist .For a tri cuspid valve op. they want to use a gen an. as the op. takes a while .....c 3 hours. Tri cuspid ops arenot done often and less often for older people so iam quaking a bit re. a suggested op. for me at 82.But meanwhile my meds. are doing the job re. heart function so no immediate urgency about it i am told.
The accepted explanation of TAVI as Cat04 said is "transcatheter aortic valve implantation", specific to the aortic valve, and does spare OHS, and there is a good explanation from King's College Hospital on the website. I'm sure there will be far more less invasive procedures in future, better for patients and also frees up beds. I think they are also beginning using this method for other implantations. Meanwhile glad your medication is working so keep up the good work (but one of my neighbours, who is a bit younger than me, had conventional OHS last year and is doing very well and I find that encouraging)
I learn a lot from this site and appreciate the kindness and information from other posters. And your nom de plume puts a smile on my face as I am a cat fanatic. Loved and love them all but my ginge was particularly special!
Our ginger cat was a lovely boy who sadly developed lung cancer at c 5 years of age.Full of character and fun.Broke my heart to say goodbye to him but he in is garden so still with us in one way.
Yes that is the down side of having and loving a pet, and 5 is a very young age to lose your lovely boy. The consolation is that they don't suffer the mental and emotional traumas that we do and we can get their illness treated and then, sadly, be with them and make their ends as comfortable as possible, one of my cats died purring. And I don't think you ever lose anyone or any pet that you've loved as all special relationships are unique and become part of who you are, otherwise you'd be a sort of blank canvas
I'm 85 and I was in hospital for 2 nights after a TAVI. Could have gone after just one night but I had balance problem so to be on the safe side they gave me a scan and kept me in for the extra day. The TAVI was wonderful and no repercussions, small wound in groin quickly healed and so far have had no repetition of the breathlessness. The (balance problem pre-dated this and is ongoing but is unrelated and I'm trying to get that sorted out with less success!) Sure your uncle will be fine.
Sending positive thoughts and good luck to your uncle. Good to hear you are doing ok. Your good advice to me and my family was invaluable when I had my AVR. Best wishes Cottagegardener 🌸
I had my TAVI 2 years ago, a pacemaker fitted 3 years ago after 2 cardiac arrests. Was in hospital 5 days, came home and got on with my life, I am 91 years .... no problems ... happy as can be .... was worse worrying about it than the actual operation.
Hi Freedman. That's amazing. Thanks you so much, very much appreciated, and glad to know it all went so smoothly for you. I'll pass that on. Hope things continue well! Thanks Nic x
hi Nick. I am currently in St Thomas’ Hospital London and had TAVI op yesterday for AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT. I SHOULD BE GOING HOME TODAY OR TOMORROW. luckily all is good now. I am actually 82 year old female, normally extremely fit and active.So hope to get back to my original fitness as quickly as possible!!I wish your Uncle well. I’m. Sure his recovery will be quick. All the best !
Brilliant! I was in St Thomas's too and the care is amazing. You're in good hands. Well done and hope the recovery goes well for you. Do feel free to keep in touch too. Nic x
hi Nic. I’m amazed how well I feel ! Only came home day before yesterday too. I am enjoying a glass of lovely cold wine each evening- nothing says I shouldn’t after all. I’m having to watch how much I am doing though because I feel normal again. But definitely not lifting!!! I had the procedure done through my groin and shall take the plaster off(dissolvable stitches)tomorrow , hope it doesn’t bleed! The worst part of the procedure was having to lie on my back with Trainor legs for 6 hours after!!!! Especially as I suffer with lower back problems sometimes and NEVER sleep on my back!!! Hoping to go off to our apartment in Spain from middle March to end May. Fingers crossed 🤞. All the best for now. 👍🤩
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