why is there a problem with my replacement aortic heart valve?

[BernieMB]

I had my aortic heart valve replaced 3 years ago and there is an issue now. The opening is only 0.7cm squared according to an echocardiogram I had done last June. I was told about this at my appointment today. A bit stressed about this and would like to know if anyone on this group has had the same thing happen.

[Hanibil]

Hi am sorry to hear of your problem, may I ask what type of valve you had.

[BernieMB in reply to Hanibil]

I had a Resilia Inspiris aortic valve replacement. It was a Minimal Invasive Mini- Thoracotomy AVR procedure.

[francesw47]

Hi Yes. I had first valve replace 5 yrs after AVR to replace bicuspid valve. Both cardiologist and surgeon told me that the replacement valve had failed because my native valve was very small and the replacement valve also small (21mm, I believe). I have a small stature anyway (i just hit 5ft) so it made sense to me. No other signs of heart disease. Brother and sister both had bicuspid valves and their replacement valves working quite happily. Solution was to redo the valve replacement with aortic enlargement at the same time. That was in 2019 things seem to be going well as far as the Inspiris 23mm valve is concerned.

[BernieMB in reply to francesw47]

Thank you for your reply. The replacement valve I have is a size 19, I assume that means 19mm. The cardiologist did say the opening is very small. He is having a meeting with his colleagues on Monday and he said he would phone me afterwards. I am also to have an urgent Echocardiogram in the next 2 weeks.

I had a feeling something was wrong all along as I didn’t seem to be making the progress I was expecting. I’ve always been so tired and unable to do all the things I could do before my own valve gave up the ghost.

I’m fully expecting to be told I need another valve replacement but then again maybe not. It is what it is.

[AH31]

HI

Sorry to hear about your valve.

I had open heart surgery over eight weeks ago to replace my Aortic Valve.

This is my third replacement over the years which is good compared to others but when I went for my eight week appointment they done an echocardiogram and said the leaking and narrowing is mild and the wall thickness is abnormal, hoping the new valve lasts ten years like previous but will just have to wait and see.

[BernieMB in reply to AH31]

Thanks for replying and I hope your recovery goes well.

[Hanibil]

I had a mechanical aortic valve through minimale invasive surgery in 2005 left me with approximately two and a half inch scare. Recent test show it’s still working perfectly.