Bicuspid and aorta

Hello, my father has been diagnosed with a Bicuspid valve sence birth and he is going to need surgery to replace the valve and fix the aorta because of the stress it has caused it the aorta has increased by 14% in the last two years Over the past 8 years it has only changed by one or two percent a year and this year it has enlarged 14%. I live in Nova Scotia canada, and I was wondering the following questions.  The heart doctor is reccomending heart surgery ASAP.
Specs:
Male
42
Healthy except for heart problems.

A) What is the canadian sucess rate for the operation?
B) How long will the operation last?
C) How long will he be hospitolised after the operation?
D) How long will it be untill he makes a full recovery?
E) What is the chance of his heart not starting up after the surgery?
F) What would you reccomend for the replacment valve? mechanical or organic? Please list some pros and cons to both.

Thank you for your time.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Badrang,

Thanks for the post.


A) What is the canadian sucess rate for the operation?

Im not sure of Canadas numbers.  I know the general benchmarks in the US are about 3-4% mortality for an isolated AVR.  Our numbers at the clinic, and at other higher volume institutions are lower then that.

B) How long will the operation last?

Depends on what is involved.  I would generally say budget most of the day.

C) How long will he be hospitolised after the operation?

About a week.

D) How long will it be untill he makes a full recovery?

Some depends on his level of conditioning pre-operatively. He will be back to 75-80% by 6-8 weeks.  The rest depends on his rehab, but I would give him about 9 months to really get back to 100%.


E) What is the chance of his heart not starting up after the surgery?

Mortality data is above.

F) What would you reccomend for the replacment valve? mechanical or organic? Please list some pros and cons to both.

There are a lot of web sites and very strong opinions.  Generally, if a patient is younger we opt for mechanical valves because they are more durable.  However, they come with the downside of needing oral anticoagulation.  In an older indvidual we often opt for a bioprosthetic valve.  There are technical aspects associated with each procedure that caould lead to one over the other, that you should discuss with your surgeon.

good luck

[Badrang]

Im scared.... will he be alright?

[Konopka1955]

Hi,  I'm sorry to hear about your dad.  But I do know there is a website that was helpful to me prior to and after my valve surgery.  The website also talks about the pros and cons of different valves.  I have a mechanical mitral valve and my quality of life has been greatly improved from it.  

The website:

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/index.php

I have found there are alot of real nice people on this board and they share alot of different experiences.  I have found them to be a very upbeat and a happy group..

I hope all the best for you and your dad..  :-)

Take Care and Best Wishes
Konopka 1955  (Marilyn-runner)

[whelans5]

Sorry to hear about your dad.  

I too am from Nova Scotia and also have a bicuspid aortic valve from birth.

You say your dad's valve only just started getting worse? Does he exercise regularly, eat properly or smoke?

I assume your dad will be going to the QEII.  The QEII is a very good hospital.

A collegue of mine had an artificial valve (cow I think) put in and she is doing very well. She also had a pacemaker put in and she is older than your dad by about 10 years.

If you don't mind me asking, who is the surgeon?  Is it going to take long to get the surgery?  I know the wait time here is reeeeallly long, like 6 months or longer.

Well, remember he's going to be at one of the best hospitals in Canada.  Take care and don't worry too much.  Worry doesn't change things.  Prayer, however, does!  I will say a prayer for your dad.