Heading to surgery soon Q on valves

[tony]

My aorta jumped quickly in a year from 4.3 to 5.1. I am in the process of picking a surgeon. I want to do it in Omaha where live. By the look of my echo my cardioligst does not think I can keep my own valve. I was wondering about a bio one. Like pig etc. Anyone here anything good or bad about those. Next is while I have some recomendations on surgeons I am wondering what I should be on the look out for? What is differnet about replacing the aorta and valve on a possible Marfan's person vers a non-marfan's?

Thanks for any input. I want to pick a surgeon by the end of next week os so.

Tony.

[Marf]

I've had a bio pig valve installed and functioning very well for 10 years now. I like not having to take the blood thinners, but I don't look forward to having another surgery to replace this valve.

[tony]

Thanks Marf. bit.

I'll know on Monday if the surgeon thinks It is good to save my valve. I don't have my hopes set on it and will then go mechanical.

I am concerned about the valve sparing surgery a bit. I asked him a lot of questions and he comes reccomended but not by any Marfan specialist. I have to trust my gut i guess.

[Marf]

In my opinion, saving your own valve would be the best news.

Mechanical valves certainly have advantages, the biggest one is that they will usually last you for the rest of your life. Failures are extremely rare. The downside is having to take blood thinners such as warfarin daily...and having to regularly have blood drawn and tested to adjust dosages. A real pain in the ass if you ask me!

I can't offer any real advice on selecting a surgeon, or "what to look out for". Personally I looked for considerable experience.

As far as I know, the actual procedures of replacing an aortic valve in a marf vs non-marf are the same.

Best of luck with your surgery. If I can help you with anything , just let me know....i'll do my best.