Bicuspic Aortic Valve Experience

[Completeheartblock]

I was diagnosed with a bicuspic Aortic valve back in 2018 and to cut a long story short I had my operation to replace the valve in December 2022.I opted for a mechanical valve as they said it would last longer however I would need to take blood thinners for the rest of my life so I agreed not knowing much or educating myself on the side effects of warfarin.

I signed a form before surgery which stated that there would be minimal risks of various complications one of which was to have a pacemaker fitted, as it was only 1% I took no notice.

During the operation the surgeon damaged my AV node causing a complete heart block..

I am finding it very difficult living with the trauma and also knowing that my heart is being ran by batteries and a circuit board.

I also find it hard to sleep as it is very prodomenant due to me being thin..

[Tos92]

Hi Completeheartblock

I’m very very sorry for the trauma your surgery has caused you.

I don’t know too much about the type of surgery you have had, but I can see from the image that it is very prominent. Have you had this reviewed by a cardiologist? Could they change the placement of it by any chance to make it more comfortable for you?

I’m sorry you’re having to experience this ❤️

I hope others can come by and provide some support that is of benefit to you based on their experiences.

All the best.

Tos

[Rhinos67]

Hi, We have have had more or less the same experience apart from me only being diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis of my bicuspid aortic valve in October 21, totally out of the blue.

If I dwell on things, the pacemaker in particular, it literally takes my breath away, because it's so overwhelming.

I try to be reassured by the fact that my brother in law has had Pacemakers since the age of 15 and is 64 now though

Joanne

😊

[JHPW70]

Hi, I'm in exactly the same boat after having surgery in January 2023. I try not to think too much about the pacemaker. I've done a fair amount of Googling and can see that many people have them and have no issues for many years. Chances are we will be the same. The aortic valve is very close to the main conductance path between top and bottom chambers so this can be a side effect of the surgery no matter how carefull the surgeon is. Out of interest where did you hasve you surgery done? John.

[Completeheartblock in reply to JHPW70]

Hello John, it was the freeman hospital in newcastle.

[Classof1988]

Please do not worry about this. There is (good) life after valve replacement and pacemakers! Admittedly I had my valve replacement 35 years ago (and woke up to find I had an emergency tracheotomy as my respiratory system was too small to take normal intubation tubes) then just over 30 years of very normal life, warfarin not a problem, last job was safety critical, a little surprise . Retired healthy, something happened a few weeks later and after confirming that valve was good and problem was probably electrical walking into consultation nine months later to be told had total heart block! Pacemaker fitted two days later, driving after a week as never lost consciousness, about three weeks afterwards walked up Steep Hill in Lincoln (and it is very steep). Eat well, sleep well, have walked up to 13 miles in a day without any fatigue other than what you get when you use muscles that don't get that much exercise. Not sure how old you are, but relax, pacemakers and valves are corrective devices just as when you replace a defective part in your car it runs smoothly again. Enjoy life but feel free to contact me if you need any further reassurance.

[Hylda2]

I wouldn’t let my pacemaker surgeon do any plastic surgery that’s for sure. My leads stick out as well as pm