Easy-As Aortic Stenosis valve replacement.

[ArthurPrecarious]

Morning. I posted a month ago about my condition and I now have an appointment to see my heart surgeon on January 8th. Does anyone know what the next steps will be?

Thanks

[Stoer]

I can only speak from my own experience, but I know that others have different experiences. I had a long discussion with my surgeon concerning the risks and benefits of surgery (benefits far outweighing any risks as far as I was concerned). He also gave me all the information about the risks and benefits of the different types of valves ie bovine/porcine or mechanical. He was leaving it up to me to decide which type of valve and told me that I didn't need to tell him which type until I was admitted to hospital. After my appointment with him, I was then sent an appointment for a pre-op assessment at the hospital where I was to have my surgery. This was a long appointment and I can't remember all the people I saw! Anyway, there were lung function tests, ECG, echocardiogram, the usual observations plus height and weight. It was a pretty thorough check!! After discharge from hospital I had cardiac rehab sessions twice a week at my local hospital. After that, I could continue rehab at a local rehab class at my local sports centre (which included free membership of all the local authority sports centres in my area for several months). All the best for your surgery - I'm sure you'll be well looked after.

[ArthurPrecarious in reply to Stoer]

Thanks for that. Kind of what I expected.

[ArthurPrecarious in reply to ArthurPrecarious]

Sorry - can I ask how long was the gap between the appointment with the surgeon then the pre-op and then the actual surgery? I’m part of the Easy-AS study and am told I should have the surgery within 3 months (initial appointment was November 5). Thanks

[Hidden]

You should also have a angiogram to check that your coronary arteries don't need attention - if so they will do this all in one operation. I also had a transesophageal echocardiogram to get a better view than the standard echo. They sedated me for these, apparently I was conscious and obeying instructions throughout but I have no memory of the echo. They were done one straight after the other, it was non-stressful.

I was nearly two years between meeting the surgeon and having surgery, because I wasn't an urgent case, and had to have all the pre-op tests repeated because they were considered only valid for a year.

I had a repair but due a replacement valve, I've still got to tackle the decision between the valve options mentioned by Stoer.

[ArthurPrecarious]

thanks