Aortic Valve Repair

[Pulsar177]

Possible Aortic valve replacement. Hi was told a few days ago after an echocardiogram that I have a narrowing in the valve and I have to have an angiogram ( I have had one before in 2008. Got a letter telling me this and that there is a possibility I will need a replacement. My head is all over the place. I know I will need to get it done. I know I would want keyhole as I can’t afford to have the longer recovery time. Reading experiences on here helps as I realise that this is now more or less routine to the surgeons. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Pulsar

Some hospitals will do a TAVi which is the keyhole you refer to.

But i would not have the TAVi if the surgeons etc do not recommend it. Yes the recover time is much much quicker, but you really should do whatever is best for your heart condition. TAVi will be a tissue valve and they dont last for ever.

When you have the op, you will first get some tests such as echo cardiogram, this will be immediately before the op, say a few days, but you wont have to stay in hospital until the op. Thats the most likely sequence.

The medical teams do these ops frequently, but its a pretty major op, not to be taken lightly. And it costs the NHS plenty of money, so you must do your bit.

Best wishes

Colin

[Pulsar177 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks for replying. But its a shock getting the news in a letter!! I had a heart attack following on a broken back in 2008 so lots of this isn’t new to me. Will just have to see. Thus forum has been a great help so far. I think it’s the anticipation that’s worse than the actual op. Will try to stay positive. Want my old active lifestyle back.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Pulsar177]

I didnt even get a letter. The consultant rang me from her home and said the treatment was very urgent. to be fair, the nhs had virtually closed down, so i was lucky to get a phone call.

The rehab is very important. I guess you had the same in 2008. After four months i felt wonderful. I still do the exercises 13 months later. By far the worst part was waiting for the op to get underway.

Colin

[Nic25]

Hi Pulsar177. I had an AVR (open-heart not TAVI) end of 2018, age 50. I was in and out of hospital in a week, and then gradually eased back into work (I do computer-based work so not especially physical) after about 6-7 weeks, so not bad at all really. Is there anything particular you'd like to find out about - the op itself, choosing a valve, recovery afterwards? Blackcatsooty is right by the way, on the NHS at least TAVI tends to be used mostly for people who are deemed physically unable to cope with open-heart surgery, so it may or may not be an option for you, depending on what healthcare system you're using and what country you're in? But good luck either way! And do use this forum to ask questions - it's what we're all here for! Cheers Nic x

[Pulsar177 in reply to Nic25]

Thanks for replying. By keyhole I mean the less invasive methods for valve replacement. Not TAVI catheter. Will have to see what happens with the angiogram. At the moment the letter said there was a possibility of a replacement. I’m 67 years old. But very fit otherwise.

[andy110519]

Hi, I had valve replacement 2 years ago. Initially the surgeon mentioned the possibility of only having 2 or 3 ribs cut but after the angiogram I was told I needed a graft too so was in through the breast bone.I was very concerned how I would be after the op but was pleasantly surprised with how I felt. The first few weeks are not great but I was back running 5ks about 10 months later and am now faster than pre-op and back swimming which helps with the chest which is not yet as strong as it was.

Not an experience I want to repeat not as bad as expected!

Good luck.

Andy

[Pulsar177 in reply to andy110519]

Thanks for your message. Guess it’s early days yet. Will have to see how the angiogram goes. I think the waiting is probably worse. Good to see you are well on the road to full recovery.

[HenningLob]

Hi My husband at age 57 had an enlarged aorta and had to have Open Heart surgery to get that sorted and was told that he might also need replacement valve which he did and was given mechanical valve. Op went smoothly and he recovered back to previous fitness in about 8 weeks. The thing that troubles him still is he finds the thudding and intense pounding of the mechanical valve intrusive and disturbing. I don't hear on this site of many people who are troubled by this but if you may need replacement valve I would look into the different valve types. I hope you can have your op witout open heart surgery and I hope your consultant will give you sound advice as to the best way forward.