A few weeks ago I saw cardiologist. He didn't really explain to me everything. He said I have aorta stenosis following results of ecg, Echocardiogram and a ct scan.He said I will need a coronary angiogram and he will arrange it. He said nothing else.
Then I received appointments for a CT whole aorta scan and a Carotid Vascular Ultrasound. I had CT scan of aorta yesterday.
Are these two procedures normal procedures prior to having a coronary angiogram?
Hi I had both those, they were to assess the arteries for the insertion of the new valve and to see if stents were needed in nay of the coronary arteries.
What I thought and thanks for confirmation.What did you eventually have done Sandra?
I had a TAVI on the 21st August. I seem to be fairly normal now, the first week after the op was weird as I had an electrical problem after the operation (10% chance).
Oh so only a couple of weeks ago. Pleased you're OK now!Did you have any stents inserted?
Did they perform the TAVI at same time as your caronary angiogram?
Can you recall after your CT whole aorta scan and carotid Vascular Ultrasound you had your angiogram?
Just trying to get my head around timescales.
Thank you
I had my Tavi on 12th June and also had electrical fault ( I am married to an electrician) my valve is settled and working brilliantly but still having SVT episodes not a major problem but meds keep getting adjusted.
I had a pacemaker implanted before the TAVI as my consultant said it was a precaution as I was moderate and probably had up to 3 years before valve surgery needed - then in six months I moved from moderate to severe and had the operation - cannot praise Wythenshaw Hospital too much for their expertise and care. Best wishes - PLH
Thank you Peter. Hope all is well with you now.
I had the 2nd CT Angiogram on the 12th August, Vascular team decided, after a CT neck scan that I did not need stents, despite a 60% blockage in Carotid Artery. TAVI was a completely separate thing.
The CT angiogram in my case was the heart and the femoral artery so they could check if there was a clear route. The TAVI is somewhat more involved than a stent - but similar, the insertion is larger so they (In my case at least) plan a route.
During the TAVI I was given a mild sedative, fentanyl, antibiotics, anti emetics. The worst part was when they speed your heart up, it has a profound effect on your body, but they did warn me beforehand so I was ready for weirdness. The whole thing took about an hour and a half.
Do you have a dedicated TAVI nurse? Perhaps you should have a conversation with them to pin it down a bit more.
Bit confused Sandra.Did you have TWO angiograms?
If so, why?
As yet- no dedicated TAVI nurse appointed as I have not received any communication about TAVI yet.
Yes I had 2 CT angiograms- these are non invasive not the one they use to insert stents or valves. The first was of my heart, the aorta and surrounding arteries, the second included the femoral artery - the route form the leg to the heart. The main reason for having 2 tests was to ensure a good route and that I was a good candidate for the operation as I was asymptomatic and on the edge of the criteria for the op.
Thank you Sandra. Really hope you are doing well. I value your information.
I had similar scans.Ended up with a repaired aorta and a new mechanical valve fitted during open heart surgery.
The consultant is building up a full as possible picture of what's going on and what options they can offer you. As we are all different your options may or may not be different too.
Hope it all goes well.
Thank you
Yes they are. I've had them as I also had aortic stenosis caused by aortic valve malfunction. After they found the extent of the problem they scheduled me for a TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) which took just over an hour. Much better than the open heart surgery both my parents had to go through (yeah all three of us had the damned thing). That was back in January. I was up and alert shortly after the procedure and home the next morning with someone staying with me for 24 hours to make sure of no complications. My only restriction was lifting less than 10 pounds for a week. I've had no problems at all since, no shortness of breath, pain, nothing. It's been great.
Thank you
think a lot of the cts and tests are to decide if you need anything else done while your valve is being replaced . Eg coronary by pass My tests showed my aorta was abnormally narrow but no by pass needed so Tavi was suggested. Time scale is very much dependant on your hospital waiting lists for scans then when tests are completed it depends on waiting lists for open heart or Tavi in local hospital.
Hello there, it could be that they will be checking for enlargement / dilation of the sort as ..that's really important to know. If it's dilated beyond accepted tolerance then they need to include a solution to that in the considerations. I had aortic stenosis for approx 6 years and was dealt with by replacing the valve with a tissue one in march this year.
The procedure was done privately using keyhole procedure. I was back home in 5 days, back in work in 6 wks.
Pre op Tests
CT Coronary Angiogram 
Angiogram after CT Scan
