Derek Schilling - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1924 days ago

At 1yr post-op for aortic valve and root replacement, what tests are typical to schedule with the cardiologist to check on things? Can an ultrasound be accurate ...Read more

At 1yr post-op for aortic valve and root replacement, what tests are typical to schedule with the cardiologist to check on things? Can an ultrasound be accurate enough?

Rose Madura I did not have any tests at one year. Each cardiologist will have their own protocol I would think. ... Read more

Rose Madura I did not have any tests at one year. Each cardiologist will have their own protocol I would think. They may do an echocardiogram to make sure everything looks good.

Marie Myers I had an echo at around 10 months, and have not had one since (Jan 2018) I think if your heart sound ... Read more

Marie Myers I had an echo at around 10 months, and have not had one since (Jan 2018) I think if your heart sounds good, and you are not having any symptoms, there may be no need to do an echo or an even more invasive test like CT scan.

leslie terjesen I had aortic valve replacement on 2/19 and having my carotoids checked tomorrow and an echo at the en ... Read more

leslie terjesen I had aortic valve replacement on 2/19 and having my carotoids checked tomorrow and an echo at the end of November. Feel wonderful and enjoyiing working out although I hurt my shoulder overdoing it on a rower. My husband is starting Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's on Monday, 3x a week, so I am also going to go to that gym since I need to drive him there and look forward to working out there. I am having these tests just for follow up explained my cardiologist where I live.

MARIE PICUN In October will be 1 year for me. My cardiologist wants me to have an echo in January of 2020. I will ... Read more

MARIE PICUN In October will be 1 year for me. My cardiologist wants me to have an echo in January of 2020. I will see my doctor in February.

Derek Schilling Thank you everyone!

Derek Schillingposted an update

2146 days ago

Julie Ann Smith reacted to this

Did anyone's doctor put them on a 325 mg aspirin for life after a bioprosthetic Aortic valve replacement? It seems there is much controversy as far as dosing, ...Read more

Did anyone's doctor put them on a 325 mg aspirin for life after a bioprosthetic Aortic valve replacement? It seems there is much controversy as far as dosing, and for how long after surgery to take.

Mary K I'm taking 81 mg. twice a day. No problem. AvR three and a half years ago.

Marie Myers Just a 81 mg aspirin for me daily after a tissue AVR.

Diane Maher Also taking one 81 mg low dose aspirin daily for life for AVR.

Dan Vechiola Just an 81 mg baby aspirin following the 3 months post surgery of Warafin for me.

Jennifer McInerney I’m the same as Dan. I just came off Warfarin and I’m on baby aspirin, 81 mg

David Moore David is on 81mg a day.

Derek Schilling Thanks all for the info, I am on a 325 mg and just wondering and considering if I can go down to an 8 ... Read more

Derek Schilling Thanks all for the info, I am on a 325 mg and just wondering and considering if I can go down to an 81 milligram per day.

Derek Schilling I am 7 weeks post-op

Dan Baltazor I'm on 325mg a day and I'm 11 weeks post op. I was told I would be dropped down to 81mg around 3 mon ... Read more

Dan Baltazor I'm on 325mg a day and I'm 11 weeks post op. I was told I would be dropped down to 81mg around 3 months post op which is coming up. I will be asking at my next appointment about it.

Derek Schilling Cool Dan, please let me know your doctor's thoughts, seems this is a doctor's preference type of thin ... Read more

Derek Schilling Cool Dan, please let me know your doctor's thoughts, seems this is a doctor's preference type of thing.

MARIE PICUN I had my aortic surgery Oct 9,2018. I am on 325 mg asprin till April. Then I will go down to 81mg asp ... Read more

MARIE PICUN I had my aortic surgery Oct 9,2018. I am on 325 mg asprin till April. Then I will go down to 81mg asprin.

MARIE PICUN Had a tissue valve.

Derek Schillingposted a journal

2198 days ago

Can a Ross Procedure be done for your second AVR? i.e. after a tissue valve and dacron sleeve used for aorta and root replacement, or is it for first OHS only? ...Read more

Can a Ross Procedure be done for your second AVR? i.e. after a tissue valve and dacron sleeve used for aorta and root replacement, or is it for first OHS only? If so, anybody have this done for round 2?

Derek Schillingposted an update

2203 days ago

Anyone here get Medtronics Freestyle porcine valve in their mid- 40's? Just wondering about durability in that age group.

Anders Carlos I’m not sure about that specific valve but in interviewing several top surgeons (Cleveland Clinic, ... Read more

Anders Carlos I’m not sure about that specific valve but in interviewing several top surgeons (Cleveland Clinic, Starnes at USC, others) they were all consistent that an AVR with porcine or bovine in someone in their mid 40s would last 5-8 years. Immune system at that age would burn through it quickly. There can always be outliers but from everything I’ve read that estimate seems fairly consistent for aortic replacement. Have you looked at the Ross?

Derek Schillingposted an update

2203 days ago

Is it possible or feasible, to have an aortic root replacement and ascending aorta replaced while still keeping your own bicuspid valve if it is still functioning ...Read more

Is it possible or feasible, to have an aortic root replacement and ascending aorta replaced while still keeping your own bicuspid valve if it is still functioning properly? Not wanting to fix something that's not entirely broken obviously

Marie Myers Yes. It is called the David Procedure. I thought I might have had that, since my valve was not my big ... Read more

Marie Myers Yes. It is called the David Procedure. I thought I might have had that, since my valve was not my big problem-the 4.8cm aneurysm was. My surgeon felt it was better to replace my valve at the time, to save me a re-operation in the future. I went with that plan 1 1/2 yrs ago at age 63.

Derek Schilling Thank you Marie. Doctor and I both leaning towards tissue medtronic's freestyle valve, but then my 15 ... Read more

Derek Schilling Thank you Marie. Doctor and I both leaning towards tissue medtronic's freestyle valve, but then my 15-year clock starts ticking, or less for re-op. Had to question if less of a risk of reop if my bicuspid would last that long

Derek Schilling Forgot to put out there that I am 44. Still not a hundred percent sure which valve route to go either ... Read more

Derek Schilling Forgot to put out there that I am 44. Still not a hundred percent sure which valve route to go either.

Marie Myers It was a hard decision for me at 63.( Probably the hardest decision I ever made) can only imagine how ... Read more

Marie Myers It was a hard decision for me at 63.( Probably the hardest decision I ever made) can only imagine how hard the decision is for you. Research as much as you can stand, and get a few different opinions. Wishing you peace with whatever decision you make!