Has anyone had their aortic valve replaced?

[joken]

Maybe as far back as 20 years ago, I had a doctor tell me that I had a heart murmur. I saw quite a few doctors over the years after that, and none mentioned a murmur. Not long ago, a doctor was listening to my heart, and I mentioned the murmur, and after another listen, he said that I do, in fact, have a heart murmur. I was referred to a cardiologist, given an ultrasound, EKG, etc, and I have Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis. This is caused by valve calcification, and it is defined as progressive. We have been monitoring it with an Ultrasound and an EKG every six months. I met with a surgeon recently, and he said my valve is severely calcified and he wants to keep monitoring it. I have read that valve replacement outcomes are better with asymptomatic patients if the valve is replaced before symptoms begin. I have made an appointment with OHSU Cardiology for a second opinion. I'm not anxious to have this done, but I want to see what OHSU suggests. My Stepfather had this valve replaced here in Corvallis and got an infection that almost killed him. He was never the man I knew after that. Have any of you folks been down this road? I'm 78

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[Rem700..300]

Brother has had a heart valve replaced. Does great.

 

[Meridian7750]

Do your research.
Some centers and surgeons are better than others.

 

[WAYNO]

My Father received a new valve back in roughly 1961. A pioneer patient, the surgery was performed by a pioneer doctor, Albert Starr M.D.

Albert Starr - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In the early sixties, a patient was filet'd open like a fish. My dad had two separate 10 hour surgeries. Now they do it in a quarter of that time, with far more minimal incisions. It's become so matter of fact, compared to 60 years ago when all of medicine's eyes were glued to the procedure from around the world.

My dad survived the procedure clear back then. Now it's a piece of cake.

 

[Nosferatu]

No, but I did have to replace the fuel line on my tractor last week, so pretty much the same thing. I can do the work for you if you buy the parts.

 

[Lilhigbee]

Six of us at lunch today, three of them have had heart valves replaced. One had a mitral valve in 2002. Split the sternum and go in through the front. Recovery was several weeks and not pleasant but the doc said he wouldn't have made six months without it so he's going on 23 free years. Another one had a replacement two years ago, not sure which valve. Went in through the groin artery or vein and installed it. Would have been out of the hospital the same day but he had other health issues so they kept him overnight. All good for him too. The third one had a similar procedure last year. He had had a stroke previously so they kept him overnight as well, just in case. He is also doing just fine with it. Hard to believe that a heart valve replacement is almost an office procedure now!!

 

[rjmt]

Maybe as far back as 20 years ago, I had a doctor tell me that I had a heart murmur. I saw quite a few doctors over the years after that, and none mentioned a murmur. Not long ago, a doctor was listening to my heart, and I mentioned the murmur, and after another listen, he said that I do, in fact, have a heart murmur. I was referred to a cardiologist, given an ultrasound, EKG, etc, and I have Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis. This is caused by valve calcification, and it is defined as progressive. We have been monitoring it with an Ultrasound and an EKG every six months. I met with a surgeon recently, and he said my valve is severely calcified and he wants to keep monitoring it. I have read that valve replacement outcomes are better with asymptomatic patients if the valve is replaced before symptoms begin. I have made an appointment with OHSU Cardiology for a second opinion. I'm not anxious to have this done, but I want to see what OHSU suggests. My Stepfather had this valve replaced here in Corvallis and got an infection that almost killed him. He was never the man I knew after that. Have any of you folks been down this road? I'm 78

my wife had her's done at OHSU, good cardiology group
they put a cow valve in her
she's up and around again