Re: heart valve replacement and recovery

Posted By Janelle on December 19, 1998 at 14:21:07:

In Reply to: Re: heart valve replacement and recovery posted by Janelle on December 17, 1998 at 12:10:40:






I have two questions.
1) I am an active 47 year old male.  I run, swim, do yoga, and do a little weightlifting.  
I have been told by a cardiac surgeon that I need to have my aortic valve replaced.  I
do not dispute that. He has also explained the four valve options that are available to me
ie. the Ross procedure, a homeograft, a mechanical valve, and a biological stentless valve.
The biological valve sounds like it would suit me best because the quality
control checks seem to be the highest.  It also sounds as though this valve would outlast
the others.  I am not too interested in taking bloodthinners for the rest  of my life.  
of my life.  The operation is to be performed in January of 1999 at the University of
Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.  Am I making a good decision?
2)  How long should it take before I can begin running again?
Dear John,
I was also evaluated at UofM. Who will be doing your surgery?  I am considering Cleveland Clinic for my surgery because they have pioneered the minimally invasive techniques and also there might be a good chance that (at least in my case) the aortic valve could be repaired instead of being replaced.  Has your surgeon mentioned these possibilities?  E-mail me if you like.  I wish you the very best, John.
Janelle