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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Aortic valve replacement surgery - questions
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Aortic valve replacement surgery - questions
by Steven, May 06, 2001 12:00AM
Hi there,
I was recommended to have aortic valve replacement surgery in 1997. I have used a combination of psychotherapy and spiritual healing to keep my heart stable until now but will probably have to have the operation soon.
I have a few questions regarding the operation and post-operative situation:
1. Is minimally invasive surgery available in Australia and if so do you know who does it and where?
2. I have read that Vitamin K helps the body to prevent heart attacks but ironically it is suppressed by Coumadin to prevent clotting in mechanical valves.
3. I had a bad reaction to general anaesthetic when I had my wisdom teeth removed in hospital in 1987. They brought me out and used Valium on the second attempt which was successful. Can I get tested to see if an anaethetic is appopriate for me before heart surgery? They also put a tube down my throat for the tooth operation which wouldnt go in properly because I have a long neck and in trying to force it they cut the inside of my throat. This caused me more problems than the healing of my teeth!
4. Does the mechanical valve weaken the heart and restrict one physically (strength, energy, endurance) after the surgery?
5. Are there any alternatives to Coumadin on the market yet. The propspect of being on blood thinners indefinitely causes me more anxiety than the surgery.
6. I have anylosing spondilitis and am concerned that this will be aggravated because the temperature of the body is lowered during the heart operation.
7. I was allergic to bee stings as a child and got arthritis and the heart condition when I was 12. I have often wondered if there is a connection between the bee stings and the damage to my heart valve and the arthritis. Has there been any research into the effects of bee venom in relation to rheumatic conditions?
Thanks in advance
Steven
I was recommended to have aortic valve replacement surgery in 1997. I have used a combination of psychotherapy and spiritual healing to keep my heart stable until now but will probably have to have the operation soon.
I have a few questions regarding the operation and post-operative situation:
1. Is minimally invasive surgery available in Australia and if so do you know who does it and where?
2. I have read that Vitamin K helps the body to prevent heart attacks but ironically it is suppressed by Coumadin to prevent clotting in mechanical valves.
3. I had a bad reaction to general anaesthetic when I had my wisdom teeth removed in hospital in 1987. They brought me out and used Valium on the second attempt which was successful. Can I get tested to see if an anaethetic is appopriate for me before heart surgery? They also put a tube down my throat for the tooth operation which wouldnt go in properly because I have a long neck and in trying to force it they cut the inside of my throat. This caused me more problems than the healing of my teeth!
4. Does the mechanical valve weaken the heart and restrict one physically (strength, energy, endurance) after the surgery?
5. Are there any alternatives to Coumadin on the market yet. The propspect of being on blood thinners indefinitely causes me more anxiety than the surgery.
6. I have anylosing spondilitis and am concerned that this will be aggravated because the temperature of the body is lowered during the heart operation.
7. I was allergic to bee stings as a child and got arthritis and the heart condition when I was 12. I have often wondered if there is a connection between the bee stings and the damage to my heart valve and the arthritis. Has there been any research into the effects of bee venom in relation to rheumatic conditions?
Thanks in advance
Steven
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, May 07, 2001 12:00AM
1. Is minimally invasive surgery available in Australia and if so do you know who does it and where?
A: I don't know but one of our readers may. Stay tuned for further developments.
2. I have read that Vitamin K helps the body to prevent heart attacks but ironically it is suppressed by Coumadin to prevent clotting in mechanical valves.
A: I haven't seen data to support Vit K as a heart attack prevention therapy. Coumadin works on the Vit K clotting system and no Vit K itself.
3. I had a bad reaction to general anaesthetic when I had my wisdom teeth removed in hospital in 1987. They brought me out and used Valium on the second attempt which was successful. Can I get tested to see if an anaethetic is appopriate for me before heart surgery? They also put a tube down my throat for the tooth operation which wouldnt go in properly because I have a long neck and in trying to force it they cut the inside of my throat. This caused me more problems than the healing of my teeth!
A: Be sure to let the anesthesiologist these things ahead of time as these are very important for him/her to know for planning.
4. Does the mechanical valve weaken the heart and restrict one physically (strength, energy, endurance) after the surgery?
A: No.
5. Are there any alternatives to Coumadin on the market yet. The propspect of being on blood thinners indefinitely causes me more anxiety than the surgery.
A: Nothing in the near future.
6. I have anylosing spondilitis and am concerned that this will be aggravated because the temperature of the body is lowered during the heart operation.
A: I haven't heard this concern before and am not sure. You would need to discuss this with your rheumatologist.
7. I was allergic to bee stings as a child and got arthritis and the heart condition when I was 12. I have often wondered if there is a connection between the bee stings and the damage to my heart valve and the arthritis. Has there been any research into the effects of bee venom in relation to rheumatic conditions?
A: I don't think so.
A: I don't know but one of our readers may. Stay tuned for further developments.
2. I have read that Vitamin K helps the body to prevent heart attacks but ironically it is suppressed by Coumadin to prevent clotting in mechanical valves.
A: I haven't seen data to support Vit K as a heart attack prevention therapy. Coumadin works on the Vit K clotting system and no Vit K itself.
3. I had a bad reaction to general anaesthetic when I had my wisdom teeth removed in hospital in 1987. They brought me out and used Valium on the second attempt which was successful. Can I get tested to see if an anaethetic is appopriate for me before heart surgery? They also put a tube down my throat for the tooth operation which wouldnt go in properly because I have a long neck and in trying to force it they cut the inside of my throat. This caused me more problems than the healing of my teeth!
A: Be sure to let the anesthesiologist these things ahead of time as these are very important for him/her to know for planning.
4. Does the mechanical valve weaken the heart and restrict one physically (strength, energy, endurance) after the surgery?
A: No.
5. Are there any alternatives to Coumadin on the market yet. The propspect of being on blood thinners indefinitely causes me more anxiety than the surgery.
A: Nothing in the near future.
6. I have anylosing spondilitis and am concerned that this will be aggravated because the temperature of the body is lowered during the heart operation.
A: I haven't heard this concern before and am not sure. You would need to discuss this with your rheumatologist.
7. I was allergic to bee stings as a child and got arthritis and the heart condition when I was 12. I have often wondered if there is a connection between the bee stings and the damage to my heart valve and the arthritis. Has there been any research into the effects of bee venom in relation to rheumatic conditions?
A: I don't think so.
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Try valvereplacement.com for some of your concerns! There's a great forum and you'll have lots of answers to your questions by people "who've been there." About Vitamin K... it isn't really necessary to stay away from sources of Vitamin K in your diet when you're on Coumadin, but it is important to be consistent in your consumption of Vitamin K. (Then the docs can adjust the Coumadin to your diet/lifestyle - not the other way around.) Anyway, give that site a try! Good luck! Emma