Aortic valve replacement

Posted by mikeyingst @mikeyingst, Sep 6, 2023

Have anyone here ever been through it, will I survive? I’m 45 relatively healthy, don’t smoke I have low blood pressure. How long will I have to be on the breathing machine when I wake up? I’m really scared that I don’t wake up.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

Yea, but if you are just trying to scare me, I don’t need it

REPLY
@mikeyingst

I don’t know what to think or do, will I wake up, will I be the same. If I do wake up will I be able to go back to running walking working out. I’m so scared

Jump to this post

This what I'm currently curious about. I will need a new valve and an aneurysm repair and I'm wondering what life looks like after that surgery. I've read a few months recovery but then what? Will I be able to live like I did before diagnosed?

REPLY
@malcorozan

This what I'm currently curious about. I will need a new valve and an aneurysm repair and I'm wondering what life looks like after that surgery. I've read a few months recovery but then what? Will I be able to live like I did before diagnosed?

Jump to this post

They put my surgery off, so I really don’t know.

REPLY
@mikeyingst

They put my surgery off, so I really don’t know.

Jump to this post

Why did they put surgery off? Personally according to valve dr i waited 1 year to long, went with mechanical valve have to take blood thinners every day and get my INR checked regulary.

REPLY
@davej

Why did they put surgery off? Personally according to valve dr i waited 1 year to long, went with mechanical valve have to take blood thinners every day and get my INR checked regulary.

Jump to this post

I got a Mechanical aortic valve in July of 2012. I had the surgery and it’s been ticking perfectly.

It do however have an abdominal aneurysm that has developed a tear in it. Cardiovascular aneurysm.

I went to one hospital ER for a different reason and they found my torn aneurysm. It was at 3cm a year ago but I forgot to ask the size of the aneurysm and tear.

ER doctor said "we are going to send you to a level 1 hospital for emergency surgery.”

After a was packed and the ambulance took me to the Level 1 hospital?, the cardiovascular surgeon said “it isn’t bleeding right now but you should come back. "It isn’t bleeding right now so we feel that you are stable enough to be discharged."

I was discharged the next morning as they admitted me for looking at the area overnight..
I was sent back to my own cardiovascular surgeon and he said didn’t see anything and he seemed annoyed because he had other patients that had made appointments with already. And as he rushed out the door I said “could it burst?” He said that it could and they have ways to take care of that.
When? When I’m on the ground and people think it’s a heart attack and that wouldn’t work so I could bleed to death. Especially since I’m on blood thinners. Time for all new doctors?

REPLY
@andytheman

I got a Mechanical aortic valve in July of 2012. I had the surgery and it’s been ticking perfectly.

It do however have an abdominal aneurysm that has developed a tear in it. Cardiovascular aneurysm.

I went to one hospital ER for a different reason and they found my torn aneurysm. It was at 3cm a year ago but I forgot to ask the size of the aneurysm and tear.

ER doctor said "we are going to send you to a level 1 hospital for emergency surgery.”

After a was packed and the ambulance took me to the Level 1 hospital?, the cardiovascular surgeon said “it isn’t bleeding right now but you should come back. "It isn’t bleeding right now so we feel that you are stable enough to be discharged."

I was discharged the next morning as they admitted me for looking at the area overnight..
I was sent back to my own cardiovascular surgeon and he said didn’t see anything and he seemed annoyed because he had other patients that had made appointments with already. And as he rushed out the door I said “could it burst?” He said that it could and they have ways to take care of that.
When? When I’m on the ground and people think it’s a heart attack and that wouldn’t work so I could bleed to death. Especially since I’m on blood thinners. Time for all new doctors?

Jump to this post

I just learned my aortic valve likely needs replacement, too. My ascending aortic aneurysm (right above my heart) is at 5.1 cm.

There is still no urgency from my CV surgeon at Mass General Brigham.

Thinking of consulting Cleveland Clinic.

But I hear you on the unfathomable apathy from doctors.

REPLY

Was told by my Dr at Cleveland Clinic that now that i am over 80 the operation is not easy as i am older. So my number has stabilized and i do not worry. If it goes i will be gone in seconds. Think about it.

REPLY
@cobweb

Was told by my Dr at Cleveland Clinic that now that i am over 80 the operation is not easy as i am older. So my number has stabilized and i do not worry. If it goes i will be gone in seconds. Think about it.

Jump to this post

Yes. It is concerning. I have a huge list of in-network doctors that my insurance company gave me so maybe you could shop around.

REPLY
@cobweb

Was told by my Dr at Cleveland Clinic that now that i am over 80 the operation is not easy as i am older. So my number has stabilized and i do not worry. If it goes i will be gone in seconds. Think about it.

Jump to this post

@cobweb
I think I have come to a very similar conclusion, although I'm "only" about 65 years old.
I had a massive dissection around 10 yrs ago. I was able to go about 5 months before having surgery, to allow the dissected aorta to stabilize somewhat. The recovery was not easy for me or my family. I was able to put off my next surgery for about 5 yrs. The second one went a bit smoother but the recovery was harder and longer because it was a bigger surgery. I'm thankful I was given an extra 10 yrs of life with my family, but at this point I couldn't say if I would go through a third surgery, if had to make the decision today.
I'm healthy enough to do most/many things my healthier peers can do. I do have some limitations but they are manageable.
However, the thought of another big surgery, or the prospect of a very quick resolution without all of the other likely, and potentially additional consequences, is becoming more appealing to me with each passing year. The difficulty is not just for me, but also for my loved ones. I'm starting to think that I'd like to be remembered as a somewhat vibrant soul that may have been taken a bit to early but lived life fully up to that final moment. I buried my 99 year old father several years ago. He was always bigger than life to me. But his last 2 years were heart-breaking in his decline. I prayed for God to take him because I knew that's what he wanted. I think I'd like to skip that part of my life. I guess I just wanted to say I appreciate your take on this very personal topic.
Thank you!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.