Surgery for Aortic Valve Replacements

[Michelle]

My mother in law has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, and a leaky aortic valve.  Her doctor has not recommended surgery but has suggested that she wait until she is debilitated by the murmur to opt for the surgery.  We're very concerned that waiting until she is debilitated to have the surgery would not be to her advantage.  It seems to make more sense for her to have the surgey now, while she is stronger.  Is this a common practice?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

If those were his exact words it would be a non-standard approach.  I don't know what he meant but usually we don't wait until someone is debilitated to operate.  The precise timing is more of an art than a science and one dosen't want to operate too early or too late.  If you would like a second opinion we would be happy to see your mother here.  Just call the number below and ask to make an appointment with one of the non-invasive cardiologists.

[Mario]

Michelle, when is the best time to have Aortic Valve Replacement is indeed the million dollar question.No Md wants to operate when there is no need and no Md wants to be blamed for waiting too long either. Getting a second opinion makes good sense however I feel clarifying what the first Md meant by debilitating also needs to be looked into. Your mother in law also will have to play a key role in this as well. The Md with the help of x-rays and echos will do his part by monitoring the size of the heart and the progression of the symptoms and your mother will have to be the mouthpiece to her general health. Does she feel she tires out more quickly does she get palpitations,does she ever feel like passing out, do her ankles swell during the day or perhaps during the night.Patient feedback plays an important role in the correct timing. Together they will have a pretty good idea as to when is the right time. Put your trust in a good cardio and keep an eye out for her...All the best...Mario

[Hank Eyring]

Hello There Michelle,

I am writing you to let you know about a list that myself and several other Aortic Valve Replacement patients have created.

I am a 33 year old male who had aortic valve replacement surgery in April of 1999.  I often had questions about stuff like what do other people’s spouses think about their valves clicking, to how do the kids deal with Dad having major surgery.  Also issues about what is involved in approaching surgery, going through surgery and recovering from surgery. We also discuss the use of coumadin since most of us have to take it for the rest of our lives.

If you would like to join a mailing list along with folks who have been through this kind of stuff before and are facing it in the future, just go to the following URL and sign up.

http://frontpage.inficad.com/~hanky/heart.htm

You will find much help with this list and we all learn from each other.

Hope you can join us,

Hank Eyring