I was first diagnosed with aortic stenosis in 2016, since then I’ve been on 20mg of Furosemide and one amiodarone 200mg.
The cardiologist tells me I have a strong left ventricle function.
I had an echo done, I’ve been told the valve is now more rigid and she mentions a TAVI procedure.
My other illness is parkinsonism , not Parkinson’s disease itself.
I was on heavy anti psychotic medication years ago and for over 30 years, I don’t have the tremors, swallowing problems. My walking is bad, still refuse a wheelchair, just daft pride.
Anyway, I believe my cardiologist thinks I have vascular dementia, this is not the case.
It was a strange meeting at the hospital with the cardiologist, but definitely her facts are not correct. I am frail, but I can still do a simple meal for myself, wash the dishes etc.
So I feel the actual surgeon may have this wrong information and has said no to a TAVI.
My wife was deeply upset and we need to know a lot more about this decision.
I pray the medication keeps working, otherwise I feel they have placed a Black hat on me.
Thanks for reading
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Sundodger
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Welcome on board to this friendly forum.My first read of your post got me thinking…that’s great, you do not need TAVi. Isn’t this a good thing ?
If your valve is about to fail then yes an operation to replace the valve might be necessary.
Is your valve in fact still satisfactory ? That would be the best outcome.
I had the choice of TAVi or open heart surgery. My two consultants both veered towards OHS. I am 74 and not in the best of health. But my valve was on the point of failure or, as you put it, black hat time. I opted for OHS and it all went very well. But I would rather have been in the not necessary for either section !
My surgeon preferred OHS on the grounds that TAVi might fail and then OHS would be needed.
Hi SootyMany thanks for your reply, it’s so good to have your view on this matter.
I am hoping I can go on for a while and not need an operation. I am almost 74, and an OHS is a definite no , as the cardiologist as said a couple of times.
I want to get things clear that no way do I have vascular dementia, so hopefully I can get in touch with her secretary.
Can I ask did they offer you the the surgery when you began having symptoms?
My medical records showed mild stenosis and I got called for an annual scan. For four years. Then moderate stenosis but still just annual check, nothing else. I rather rapidly deteriorated over a few months, by deteriorate I mean having huge fatigue, 22 hours a day. I also lost partial control of my leg muscles, whereby I fell forwards.. I had a full stroke afew years before and the stroke fatigue was the same as the heart problem.my GP did an ECG then sent me for a scan at the local hospital. The very next day, a Saturday, the consultant rang me from her home to tell me I needed treatment ASAP. I went to the Crompton hospital where I had the three prelim procedures and then the Aortic valve replacement by open heart surgery. Major op. Four months of rehab at home and then I felt wonderful.
I was offered the TAVi as an alternative, but the consultant suggested OHS would be marginally better.
So I had severe, very severe, symptoms and was told in no uncertain terms that I had just a few weeks to live, so the op was urgent. The op was observed and the students confirmed how near I was to passing on.
No mention made of vascular dementia, and from what you have written that’s just an annoying irrelevance for your case. I wonder if one medical report mentioned that you should be checked to ensure you do not have dementia.
Can I add that the OHS procedure went really well. The medical care is just exceptional. My scar is hardly visible.
I went for several years with stenosis before I was referred for action.
Hi Blackcatsooty (-: good to hear positive outcomes. May I ask were you put on any medication following the initial findings of mild stenosis? I ask as I am at that state and interesting to read Sundodger evidently was.Kind regards
No medication prescribed. I was already on a group of tablets to suppress a second stroke. So I really had no idea that a new valve would become an issue. I did have an annual scan.
I don’t really want to know about impending health issues, I just do whatever doctors recommend.
I only had a couple of weeks to panic over Severe stenosis. Plus I was so far gone by that stage I didn’t really know what day it was.
By far the worst part of AVR is waiting to go to hospital. Once in the hospital things were excellent.
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