Re: Aortic Valve Replacement

Posted By Michael on June 16, 1999 at 11:19:07
Hello,
I am 42 years old and I have had aortic insufficiency for many years but it has never bothered me until recently when I started to get some presuure and chest pains as well as pulpitations. After some echo scans and a recent cardiac catheter, the doctors have decided that I need to have my aortic valve replaced. This is due to be done on the 15th July. I am obviously trying to find out as much information as I can on the subject. The main questions that I would like help with if possible are the following:
How does the operation take and how long will I have to stay in hospital?
As I live in Gibraltar and the operation will be done in London, how long will I have to stay in UK before I can travel back to Gibraltar?
What is the normal recovery time before I can go back to work and to a normal life?
Can you really resume a totally normal life after the operation?
What does the recovery process involve, is there anything special which I will need to do?
The doctor told me that I will have to be on Warfarin for the rest of my life, how will this affect me?, I beleive that Warfarin reacts to certain medicines like antihistamines, disprin and others. Also I beleive that drinking more than 1/2 pint of beer  a day will no longer be possible, can you clarify.
I apologise for the long rambling list that I have made out, but I am obviously a bit worried and I have never bothered to find out much about the problem.
I would be extremely gratful for any information that you can provide.

Many thanks for your time.

[Tod__0__0]

Posted By Todd on June 17, 1999 at 08:19:03
Did you consider a homograft (human cadaver or allograft)?  These last 15 to 20 years, do not require blood thinners (Coumadin).  You would have fewer restrictions, would not require the blood tests every few weeks BUT would require surgery again in 15 years or so.  The risk of another surgery 15 years down the road is comparable to the risks associated with mechanical valves and coumadin (blood clots or bleeding).  I'm 34 and had heart surgery 9-9-98, I went back to work after 8 weeks, I felt like I could have gone back sooner (6 weeks) but my doctor said "why push it?"  Don't lift anything > 10 lbs for the first six weeks or so to let your sternum heal.  At 12 weeks I was playing hockey.  If you go in healthy, you should have a good recovery.  Good Luck.










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