Kim Calvert - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

11 days ago

I was just diagnosed with pericarditis. I had open heart surgery on Jan. 16 to replace my bicuspid aortic valve and fix an ascending aortic aneurysm. I thought ...Read more

I was just diagnosed with pericarditis. I had open heart surgery on Jan. 16 to replace my bicuspid aortic valve and fix an ascending aortic aneurysm. I thought I was recovering well and was about to start cardiac rehab when I was diagnosed with this. Now I feel like I’m back to square one and pretty fearful about what will happen next. (This started about 3 weeks ago.) Any experience, strength or hope for me?

Rose Madura Your body is probably still mad and the inflammation is still there. Hang tight. Follow the protocol ... Read more

Rose Madura Your body is probably still mad and the inflammation is still there. Hang tight. Follow the protocol. I had all kinds of problems caused mostly from inflammation. What have the doctors told you?

Pamela Gregory I had that 1 week after surgery and they drained it. It was fine after that. Good luck

Robert Miller I don't want to downplay this but I believe pericarditis is "just" some inflammation. In most cases, ... Read more

Robert Miller I don't want to downplay this but I believe pericarditis is "just" some inflammation. In most cases, this can be treated with medicine for a limited amount of time. Discuss this with your surgeon and/or cardiologist.

Kim Calvertposted an update

100 days ago

Danny Humphress, Geoff Curtis reacted to this

My OHS is scheduled for January 16 at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Roselli. Plan is to replace my severely calcified bicuspic aortic valve with a Edwards Inspiris ...Read more

My OHS is scheduled for January 16 at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Roselli. Plan is to replace my severely calcified bicuspic aortic valve with a Edwards Inspiris Reselia and do a Dacron graft to repair my 4.6 ascending aortic aneurysm.

I was diagnosed some 15 years ago, and as often happens, the stenosis on the bicuspid valve eventually progressed to its current state. I feel I've been "circling the drain" for a long time, but I'm finally ready to get her done!

Grateful for all that I've learned here -- from all of you and from Adam.

Geoff Curtis Dr Roselli did my SAVR 10/15/24 and I have the Edwards Inspiris valve also, 27mm. You've got this! ... Read more

Geoff Curtis Dr Roselli did my SAVR 10/15/24 and I have the Edwards Inspiris valve also, 27mm. You've got this! I was out in 4 days post surgery, good luck!

Pamela Gregory Kim, I actually just got to Cleveland for my 2 year check up since surgery with Dr. Roselli on Monda... Read more

Pamela Gregory Kim, I actually just got to Cleveland for my 2 year check up since surgery with Dr. Roselli on Monday. He is awesome and I will be sending my best thoughts and prayers your way. Let me know if you are near the Clinic Monday after 10:30-11:00 am. I would be happy to have a coffee or something if you want

Valerie Allen I’m a big Dr Roselli fan, he did the same procedure on me last April. Best wishes and you’ll soon ... Read more

Valerie Allen I’m a big Dr Roselli fan, he did the same procedure on me last April. Best wishes and you’ll soon be in recovery!

Grace Mason Wishing you all the best Kim!❤️‍🩹

Kim Calvertposted an update

573 days ago

Read a fascinating post on another site about the TEE test. According to one cardiologist, roughly 1/3 of people who think they have BAV really have a different ...Read more

Read a fascinating post on another site about the TEE test. According to one cardiologist, roughly 1/3 of people who think they have BAV really have a different type of defect -- and the best way to find out is to have a TEE test done. In all my years of being followed and tested, not one doctor has ever suggested this. Wondering if anyone here has any insight on the TEE test for getting more accurate pictures of the heart and valves.

Brady Busch The TEE is most likely very definitive,because I was told,it was required,if another surgery or proce ... Read more

Brady Busch The TEE is most likely very definitive,because I was told,it was required,if another surgery or procedure was scheduled,even though,one was done previously.
I'm curious,was it mentioned what the other type of defect was,besides BAV?

Klara Čičić TEE is more informative and more accurate as the ultrasound probe is nearer to the heart. It gives mo ... Read more

Klara Čičić TEE is more informative and more accurate as the ultrasound probe is nearer to the heart. It gives more accurate picture and measurements. It is invasive and less convenient for the patient as it is done through oesophagus. Therefore, it is usually done when one is approaching surgery or when treansthoracal ultrasound doesn't answer all of the questions and doctor wants to get more detailed image. Most of us who had the surgery got TEE at some point pre-surgery :)