Body size and homografts etc.

[just me]

I'm likely going to have an aortic valve replaced this winter due to stenosis. I want to have homograft surgery and I'm concerned about valve availability. Does the fact that I'm 6'1" tall make it more difficult to find a suitable valve for me ?

Is it most likely that I'll be on a heart lung machine for the operation, or can this be done with a "beating heart ?"

Thank you for this wonderful service.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear me,
Aortic homografts do come in different sizes but I think you would still fall in the "average" size.  You'll need to check with your surgeon to be sure.  You will need to be on the heart-lung machine for this operation.  Most of the 'beating heart' operations are for bypass surgery.