Minimal Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement

[BernieMB]

I had Minimal Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement 3 weeks ago as I had a bicuspid valve. I am at home 2 weeks now and having a lot of difficulty sleeping. Is this normal?

I am quite anxious as I get pain in my chest and start to imagine all sorts.

Minimal invasive is far less traumatic than open heart surgery but it also has its problems. Felt like I had been hit by a freight train after the op and had a couple of complications which were resolved.

I am still unable to do much and am struggling to do a lot of things. I am trying to walk a bit everyday but progress is very slow. Going by what I read before the op I expected to be further on in my recovery or am I being too ambitious?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

There are different types of minimally invasive procedures. Which did you have? Someone here will probably have had the same.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Bernie

I hope some good rehab is available to you. Was your procedure TAVi ?

Two weeks at home is early days, so can i suggest that gentle walks every day, preferably accompanied, will help a lot. These walks need to be given priority

Good sleep is pretty much essential for you to get good recovery.

I swapped mattress, tried the spare bedroom, used all sorts of pillow changes, less blankets, more blankets then used a tinnitus relaxer. Change bed time.and slept with a light on. Eventually i found a good routine that suits me, but it does mean 7.5 hrs sleep and bed at 10pm.

I am amazed how many of us have bicuspid valves. I lived for 72 years not knowing mine was bicuspid.

Best wishes

Colin

[BernieMB in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Hi Colin, thanks for your reply. It was called Mini AVR which involved a incision on the left side of my right breast, another incision under my right breast along with an incision under my right arm close to my right breast. Also an incision in my right groin for the bypass machine. Think also that one of my lungs was collapsed. Two of the wounds are taking time to heal and had to have antibiotics.

Trying to stay positive and get on with it.