Aortic Valve Surgery Archive Questions

Below are Dr. Gammie’s answers to Aortic Valve Surgery questions
received through the Ask the Expert feature.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended
to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a
health problem. Please consult with your physician about your specific health
care concerns.



Now displaying records 1 to 2 of 2.

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Q : 1 02/25/2010

How does the heart and brain get blood supply when there is severe stenosis and the bypass connects to the descending aorta? Is there a way to bypass to the root? Proximal aorta? Even though the aortic valve bypass graft connects to the descending aorta, there is still residual flow to the brain through the native aortic valve. Subsequent flow to the rest of the system is supplied through the bypass graft. The quality of life for those with severe aortic stenosis who undergo AVB is highly variable, depending a lot on the patients' preoperative comorbidities. Those with ESRD would be able to resume HD immediately after surgery. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My name is Mary- I'm Dr. Gammie's physician assistant. I can be reached at 410-328-5842.

Q : 2 11/17/2009

I'm 45 year old male diagnosed with having a bicuspid aortic valve that is only .8 cm wide. Would replacement be my only option or can I have a aortic bypass instead? Aortic valve bypass surgery is reserved for high risk patients (such as those older than 80 and those who have had prior heart surgery/sternotomy). However, you may be a candidate for the minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery that Dr. James Brown performs here at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions about this operation or if you would like to be evaluated for this surgery. My name is Mary- I'm a physician assistant who works with Dr. Brown. I can be reached at 410-328-5842.

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