Mechanical, Cow, or Pig
I spent three hours at the heart doctor’s office today and am exhausted. I found out that scheduling me with two cardiologists was a mistake. The second one doesn’t even deal with Aortic Stenosis, so he is out of my life. I have a new medical entourage: A valve coordinator, Interventional Cardiologist, and a Thoracic Surgeon. I believe they now know what a Business Analyst does because I asked just a few questions. (sarcasm meter on)
I will have two more tests this Friday. One of them will determine if I can have the TAVR or if I need open-heart surgery. After meeting most of my entourage today, I have some additional information to digest. My doctor has performed over 200 TAVRS, so that is good. The TAVR is a relatively newer procedure in the United States, especially in the Midwest. The Nebraska Medical Center has performed them since 2013, and Methodist Hospital has performed them since 2019. My doctor was at the UNMC and started the program at Methodist.
I found out today a benefit of being short is that the vein the catheter needs to go through is not very long. It just needs to be wide enough. About the title: the valves used in the TAVR are either made from a cow or a pig. They are put on over your defective valve and open up the valve. I am glad to hear that because I didn’t want a vegan valve being a true Nebraska girl. Hold all comments about red meat! They can best be described as stents on steroids. Being a BA, I want facts and data.
If you are under age 60 and have a valve installed, you will need another valve. If you are over age 70, you will probably not need another valve. If you are between ages 60 and 70 (me), the valve lifespan is not as clear. Current studies say 15 years, so what happens if you have trouble in your seventies? You can’t do another TAVR as the animal valve is over the original defective valve. You may have some other health issue that prohibits open-heart surgery.
The mechanical valve is strong carbon and lasts at least 25 years. This valve is only installed via open-heart surgery. The defective valve is removed, and the mechanical one is installed. Open-heart surgery is scary since you are on a heart-lung by-pass machine.
Don’t worry about me being all gloom, doom, and medical stuff. I am staying positive and will collect information to evaluate my decision. Friday’s CT scan may decide for me. Until then, I will keep my glass at least half-full while praying non-stop. I remain Rooting for the Groin! #rootingforthegroin!
