What are the dangers of aortic valve replacement?

Answer 1

My husband had an aortic heart valve replaced. Essentially he was rediculously misdiagnosed by three doctors - in the same practice - over a period of a month, where he deteriorated, to the extent that I demanded he be admitted to hospital. 24 hours later would have been too late. So, he had an emergency heart valve replacement which was caused by a bacteria that literally ate away at the heart valve until there was nothing left of it.

The complications from that arose from the previous doctors having given him a serious dose of penicillian and then another type of anti-biotic, so they could not culture anything off the heart valve. He was then placed on a very expensive and life preserving anti-biotic for 6 weeks. This was a life saver. To this day, the question cannot be answered as to what the bacteria was that affected him.

The heart, because it is removed from the body and then put back, may also be rejected by the body, which therefore makes the first 48 hours after surgery critical. Once you are over that hurdle, you will start to heal. You will have your good days and your bad days.

Depression is also something that people will have to take into consideration - men especially. It does not mean your pants will turn into a skirt - feel the emotion and talk to your family - the depression lifts with support and understanding from family and friends.

Take it easy - there is only one Bruce Willis - you need to take it easy, don't drive or do anything like lifting things for at least 8 weeks. Let others help you, and if there is no-one to help you with shopping, shop online or call a taxi.

Don't smoke again - it affects your blood thickness, and your general quality of life. Besides, it stinks and does not do your sex life or anyone close to you any good. Sorry, but it's true - smoke is disgusting, dirty and a definite turn off. You have a new lease on life - respect it, respect your body and respect your family and friends and the trauma they too went through during your procedure and now recovery - smoking is for morons.

Forgetfulness - yep, good news - you have not lost your plot or your marbles. Your body has other things to worry about than remember how to use your cell phone, where the toilet rolls are kept or how to make coffee. When your body starts to relax and accept what has happened to it, it will soon allow your brain to function properly. But, you must read and try to get back to grips with all the mental stuff as soon as possible. Engage in stimulating conversation, watch interesting programmes on telly, and read the newspapers, phone people on your cell phone, ask someone to help you remember where your directory is, or how to answer the darned thing. Once you have done it once, you may have to be reminded again - but then you are sailing again. It's okay, you are not stupid and have not left your brain in the hospital. It's in your head, having a little nap.

With a mechanical heart valve, you have another side effect and that is being placed on Warfarin, or Coumadin. This will keep the blood from clotting and obviously keep the valve working effectively as a result. A friends husband has just had an emergency mechanical valve replaced after 10 years because his Warfarin levels were not controlled adequately, so clots may have formed on the valve and tissue began growing on the clots. Tissue will not grow on the valve itself, but the clots which are biological, well, it will grow on that. So, those of you who are on Warfarin and think you can jimmy the system - it's not worth it. You could land up at square one again.

Warfarin must be controlled by blood tests, and you have to watch what you eat and not to drink more than 2 tots of alcohol a day - trust me, it is not worth the bleeding noses, burning intestines etc if you overstep the mark. You can bleed to death, internally if you be stubborn and stupid about it. Warfarin is like oil in your engine. You can't go and chuck water in, or let it get old and sticky - your engine will sieze.

The wires they tie your sternum back together with can also be rejected by your body as in my husbands case. He had excruciating pain eminating from the sternum whenever he breathed deeply, or moved, which extended into his chest itself. He was most baffled, and not one to complain about pain, I knew he was desperate when he went back to the doctors who suggested the wires come out. He had them out yesterday, and says the pains are gone. He feels like a new man. Lucky to be alive in the first place, and now even luckier that they found the source of pain post op.

It is not an easy procedure, your body has gone through some serious trauma, and your body was on by-pass, with your heart out of your body, a foreign object possibly put into it, as in a heart valve, so your body also goes through shock and Horror at the experience, and will rebel. Accept what has happened, and understand that you have a second chance. Don't blow it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

"There are several dangers associated with aortic valve replacement. These dangers include bleeding, heart attack, stroke, infection, aortic valve failure, and death."