medication after open heart surgery

[Emye343]

is there anyone on this site who has had a heart valve replacement and is now using biologic meds to control their ra? If so, I’d love to hear your experience. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve which needed replacing in June (an event hastened by a toxic reaction to leflunomide). I’ve had an Inspiris resilia bioprosphetic bovine valve put in to replace it. My surgeon has been hoping I could stay off biologic meds as he’s concerned they may damage the new valve. However the time has definitely come to go back to them (flaring all over now and I’m finding it difficult to do the walking required to get back to some sort of cardiac fitness after the toll taken by the op). The rheumatologist wants me on abatacept. I’m hoping there might be someone on this site in a similar position with insights to share!

[sylvi]

I have just been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (excuse spelling) And i have been told i will need an op on my heart, but i can't have open heart surgery, i will have to have it done through an artery in my leg. Now my problem is inherited and i have had to tell my siblings and my children to get themselves checked out. That was a shock i can tell you. I have tried biologicals and every time i tried them i would end up coming off them due to chest infections i kept getting. xx

[Emye343 in reply to sylvi]

Hi Sylvi,

I’m sure that was a huge shock for you. My condition was also inherited and my siblings and two (of my four) children have been checked so far. The other two have chosen to bury their heads in the sand….None of those checked have it but my cousin does and has already had the op - fortunately for him he doesn’t have ra and has recovered well.

I have decided to go ahead and have the biologic meds as both the rheumatologist and the cardiologist are concerned about treating the condition they deal with and I can’t seem to get any advice about what might help with both! But, I think avoiding inflammation as much as possible has to be a plus. Xx

[piglet]

hi

I had a bovine AVR for bicuspid aortic valve five years ago, I am also on methotrexate and a biologic for my RA. My cardiologist was keen for me to get onto biologics as he felt my heart would be ok, no problem so far after 2 years. I would be inclined to ask exactly what they are afraid of happening whilst on a biologic, then you can make an informed choice with the help of your rheumatologist.

Good luck with this and I hope you can manage your RA effectively.

[Emye343 in reply to piglet]

Thanks Piglet. I am reassured to find someone else with both conditions who has come through the op and on to a biologic without problems.