I’m 67 yo, male, slightly overweight but otherwise good health but I have a severe Aortic Stenosis, that’s running at about 25% of full capacity. My only symptoms are slight breathlessness when climbing stairs. Saw a surgeon yesterday who wants to replace the valve with an animal valve, but he does not do minimally invasive surgery any more. So he wants to cut the breastbone, as it affords better access amd Im guessing is easier. He says it needs doing v urgently.
My problem is the thought of my breastplate being sawn in half, then wired back together seems much more invasive. He says it will hurt less during the healing process and my fears are unfounded. He says the min invasive op, between the ribs, is longer and less likely to produce a successful outcome.
I’m likely to have this valve replaced at least once in my lifetime and the thought of being sawn up again is a valid concern.
Anybody had the minimal invasive valve replacement, and regretted it?
If you’ve had good results please recommend a surgeon/hospital in the UK. Thanks.
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I had my aortic valve replaced thirteen years ago. Yes, the breastbone is cut but like all operations it’s painful but every day is better than the day before and it soon heals. I’d go through it all again if needed.
Hi I had minimal invasive surgery to replace my aortic valve back in 2005 at age 48 I went for a mechanical valve so I would never have to have the operation again. It’s been the best decision I have ever made , have a two and a half inch scar . Surgeon Roberto Casula Wellington hospital London. Give him a ring he does all types of heart procedures. And is one of the worlds best.
in the past few years, animal valves can now have an option to TAVi later, if needed.
It is an invasive operation and the rehab term is long. Perhaps as much as three months, but please mark Rosie1066 comments. I felt improvement every two days.
The life of current valves is lengthening.
I had a new valve three years ago and there has been no negative effects. I don’t know it’s there. No warfarin. No ticking. Brilliant.
And no visible scar.
BTW I went “private” and it cost £43,000. Probably quite a lot more nowadays.
Basically, many of the well-renowned specialist UK heart surgery centres offer minimally-invasive (inc NHS). But not all surgeons offer it (& would only do it if they are confident it's completely safe!), so the NHS wait time might be longer. If you can go Private, there's much more choice & minimal wait.
The big advantage, of course, of minimally invasive is the much shorter recovery period & the lower risk of long-term physical limitations from having your breastbone sawn in half!
I had mine done in a specialist Private centre in Germany, where they routinely do minimally invasive procedures. But I was also on the waiting list for a similar op in a London NHS hospital. If I have to have a further replacement, I would only consider minimally invasive.
I am 75 had my aortic valve replaced by TAVI via the groin much less invasive It's a Edwards Inspira which should last 20 years but could be redone the same way if necessary They have opened it up younger people now Inquire about that too
Hi again don’t be put off by the comment ref ticking of a mechanical valve if mine ticks I can’t hear it neither can my friends and family. As for warfarin it presents no problems whatsoever, you can buy a home tester simply do a test the hospital will dose you over the phone. I visit the hospital with my tester twice a year just to make sure it working correctly. 20 years on and valve is still going strong. And best of all I should never have to face the operation again who wants to go through that in there seventies or eighties.
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