Lorri's Journal

Hi! It has been 3 weeks since my aortic valve replacement at Columbia with Dr. Hiroo Takayama with a full sternotomy. The operation took 7 hours because they had to remove the bicuspid valve as wel as the aortic graft that I had inserted 12 years ago. I am going to the gym daily taking spin classes, body sculpt (down to 3 lb weights) and treadmill classes. My incision and chest muscles hurt but I am back to doing what I was doing prior. I am not supposed to drive but I do with a pillow. The downside is that I still can’t eat because the terrible taste in my mouth from the anesthesia. All is good!❤️

On 9/15 I am going to have my second SAVR. I originally had my bicuspid aortic valve repaired due to severe regurgitation and I have a aortic graft due to the aneurysm 12 years years ago. Now my valve is severely stenotic. After discussion with my surgeon at Columbia, Dr. Hiroo Takayama I decided to get the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount aortic bioprosthesis.

I have a bicuspid aortic valve. It was 9 years ago yesterday that I had a aortic valve repair for severe aortic regurgitation. I also had an aortic graft for my aneurysm. Now my valve is moderate to severely stenotic and I will need a new valve. Can TAVR be performed due to the graft or will I need a sternotomy?