Pre Aortic Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

[korryne56]

I had a artificial St Jude aortic valve replacement in 1995.  I would like to know what tests were performed before the surgery was done.  I know that I was tested for AIDS and they also made sent me to have my teeth worth done but I would like to know which other routine blood work is done before the surgery.  I recently found out that I have Hepatitis C and I was trying to figure out how long I had this virus.  If they checked my blood for AIDS would they not check for Hepatitis Virus'?  HELP PLEASE

[FredZ]

See a good gastroenterologist which specializes in hepatitis or a "hepatologist". There is a ton of info on the net about HCV. Check out www.hepatitisneighborhood.com the "Town Hall" archived weekly Q&A  sessions with HCV specialist docs--the heavy hitters of liver disease. Also www.hepatitisdoctor.com   He answered my e-mail a couple of years ago. Some docs will even do that. If they did a liver panel blood test before your opration, then check the ALT value. Its a liver enzyme that is elevated in most cases of liver injury/disease. They say the most common sources for HCV infection are blood transfusion and injecting dope. There are others of course. Insist on a HCV genotype determination blood test. If you have type 2 or 3, then you have better than 80% probability of cure if you can hack the 6 mos. treatment full dose full time. The other genotypes are a tougher row to hoe. Best of Luck. p.s. the hepatitis forum here isn't much good; used to be a doc answereing, but not recently. better to go to the one above.

[nurse12hr]

I don't believe they would routinely test for Hep.  However, a general chemistry panel would have probably been done, and if your liver enzymes were elevated prior to surgery, that may be a tip off that you had it prior to surgery.

But I guess no real way to know for sure.
The Hepatitis forum on this site is a place you need to visit ASAP.

good luck!

PS-my husband had hepC for 22 years, was treated and has now been clear of the virus for more than a year.  His doctors feel he has little chance of recurrance.  Start finding out about it, then fight!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Korryne56,

Routine blood work will depend on the institution where you have the surgery performed.    Typically, HIV and hepatitis are not routine for valve surgery unless someone has a blood exposure, in which case they are checked.

You are fully entitled to your complete medical record under federal regulations. You should request your record.

As far as the hepatitis, I suggest you visit a large hepatitis referral center to investigate your treatment options.

good luck