Hello @raydiesposti and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm so glad that you posted about your successful TAVR procedure in this discussion thread. Your results of increased energy are enviable to all of us with valves that don't work well.
After I read your profile, where you discussed your heart problems were a result of a cancer treatment, I'm thinking that you might find the following discussion group interesting,
--Radiation Induced Heart Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-heart-disease/?commentsorder=newest#chv4-comment-stream-header
Was the valvular problem the only cardiac problem you have as a result of the cancer treatment or are there other cardiac follow ups needed at this point?
I read your profile and I am sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you will be feeling better soon.
So far I feel well after TAVR, but it has only been about 3 weeks. So far, I have not needed a pacemaker. I think my last echocardiogram showed trace amounts of paravalvular aortic regurgitation. Not sure if this will end up a problem, but I think it can also be fixed by transcather procedure. I have a follow-up appointment with my IM cardiologist on June 12. My left ventricle ejection fraction was great at 68%.
Thank you for the link -- I will check it out. Regarding other radiation-related problems, I also have some scaring of the lungs, the area which was not shielded because of surrounding lymph nodes, and also have mild mitral valve regurgitation and atherosclerosis. I think the mitral valve can also be repaired via transcatheter procedure. I was not a good candidate for open heart surgery because of radiation induced fibrosis (RIF).
Thank you Gina. I am glad to hear you made out well after 3 years and advanced age. I wish you an enjoyable life. I am taking one day at a time, but so far feel good.
Ray
What type of replacement are you having TOVA OR SURGICAL. I am 92 and had a TOVA approximately 2 years ago. It was a "piece of cake". One day in the hospital and then home. They put a catheter in my wrist to do the initial investigation to determine whether I was a good candidate, and then the main catheter went up my leg. No external "chest cracking", no pain (minimal anesthetic). If you do not have the TOVA available where you liive check with Mayo or whatever major hospital is in your area. I was fortunate we have a surgeon who is exceptionally qualified to do these surgeries. His name is Dr. Nandish, Enloe Hospital, Chico, California 95926.
Gina5009
Gina,
I am glad to hear about your positive experience with TAVR. My TAVR procedure went well also. I actually saw a cardiologist at Mayo in Scottsdale in late 2018. Since I now live in San Diego, the best place was Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I even drove back to San Diego by myself on the third day. I am only 65 years old, so I think it was easier for me to recuperate. But I am taking one day at a time.
Ray
My major complaint now is elevated BP. The doctor said it is usual to either have elevated BP or a PaceMaker after the surgery. B.P. Med makes me very tired (or could it be my age)? Either way, lucky to still be alive
Gina5009
I read your profile and I am sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you will be feeling better soon.
So far I feel well after TAVR, but it has only been about 3 weeks. So far, I have not needed a pacemaker. I think my last echocardiogram showed trace amounts of paravalvular aortic regurgitation. Not sure if this will end up a problem, but I think it can also be fixed by transcather procedure. I have a follow-up appointment with my IM cardiologist on June 12. My left ventricle ejection fraction was great at 68%.
Thank you for the link -- I will check it out. Regarding other radiation-related problems, I also have some scaring of the lungs, the area which was not shielded because of surrounding lymph nodes, and also have mild mitral valve regurgitation and atherosclerosis. I think the mitral valve can also be repaired via transcatheter procedure. I was not a good candidate for open heart surgery because of radiation induced fibrosis (RIF).
Teresa and Gina,
I will try to follow-up after my June 12 appointment. I also had to start taking a baby aspirin and blood pressure medication after my TAVR.
Ray
Teresa and Gina,
I will try to follow-up after my June 12 appointment. I also had to start taking a baby aspirin and blood pressure medication after my TAVR.
Ray
I can understand the aspirin and BP meds. I've been doing that myself. Because I've had several surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I take a coated 81 mg aspirin rather than the baby aspirin. Much easier on the stomach.
Are you taking a beta blocker or an ACE inhibitor for your blood pressure?
I had TAVR done at Cedars-Sinai on May 10. It went very well, released the next day. Took about 2 weeks for the incision to feel better. Started having increased energy right away. So far everything is going well and have a follow-up appointment with my IM Cardiologist on June 12.
Just had the one-month follow-up with my cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai. She indicated that everything was fine and that I could resume normal activities. I am planning to return to the gym and do a short hike in the Sierra mountains at the end of June.
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Hi Teresa,
I read your profile and I am sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you will be feeling better soon.
So far I feel well after TAVR, but it has only been about 3 weeks. So far, I have not needed a pacemaker. I think my last echocardiogram showed trace amounts of paravalvular aortic regurgitation. Not sure if this will end up a problem, but I think it can also be fixed by transcather procedure. I have a follow-up appointment with my IM cardiologist on June 12. My left ventricle ejection fraction was great at 68%.
Thank you for the link -- I will check it out. Regarding other radiation-related problems, I also have some scaring of the lungs, the area which was not shielded because of surrounding lymph nodes, and also have mild mitral valve regurgitation and atherosclerosis. I think the mitral valve can also be repaired via transcatheter procedure. I was not a good candidate for open heart surgery because of radiation induced fibrosis (RIF).
Ray
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2 ReactionsThank you Gina. I am glad to hear you made out well after 3 years and advanced age. I wish you an enjoyable life. I am taking one day at a time, but so far feel good.
Ray
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1 ReactionGina,
I am glad to hear about your positive experience with TAVR. My TAVR procedure went well also. I actually saw a cardiologist at Mayo in Scottsdale in late 2018. Since I now live in San Diego, the best place was Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I even drove back to San Diego by myself on the third day. I am only 65 years old, so I think it was easier for me to recuperate. But I am taking one day at a time.
Ray
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Hug
1 ReactionMy major complaint now is elevated BP. The doctor said it is usual to either have elevated BP or a PaceMaker after the surgery. B.P. Med makes me very tired (or could it be my age)? Either way, lucky to still be alive
Gina5009
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2 Reactions@raydiesposti Hi Ray,
I hope you continue to post on Connect. I'll especially look forward to hearing from you after your June 12 appointment.
Teresa and Gina,
I will try to follow-up after my June 12 appointment. I also had to start taking a baby aspirin and blood pressure medication after my TAVR.
Ray
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2 Reactions@raydiesposti Ray,
I can understand the aspirin and BP meds. I've been doing that myself. Because I've had several surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I take a coated 81 mg aspirin rather than the baby aspirin. Much easier on the stomach.
Are you taking a beta blocker or an ACE inhibitor for your blood pressure?
Teresa,
I am taking 10 mg Lisinopril, which I believe is an ACE inhibitor.
Ray
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2 Reactions@raydiesposti
Yes, it is an ACE inhibitor. I also take an ACE inhibitor, Enalapril (Vasotec) 5 mg 2 X a day.
Just had the one-month follow-up with my cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai. She indicated that everything was fine and that I could resume normal activities. I am planning to return to the gym and do a short hike in the Sierra mountains at the end of June.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions