Aortic Valve Surgery Archive Questions

Below are Dr. Brown’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 15 of 69.

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Q : 1 05/21/2010	Is minimally invasive surgery a choice for a healthy 86-year-old female? Dr. Brown performs the minimally invasive aortic valve surgery on patients well into their 80's and 90's with great success. If you are interested in arranging a consultation, or would like further information, please contact our office 410-328-7741. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 2 04/08/2010	I am 59 years old and have a bicuspid aortic valve. I have been told that patients with bicuspid valves do not qualify for the minimally invasive surgery and that it has to be with the big incision. Is it true that I don't qualify for the small incision? No, it is not correct that you need a big incision just because you have a bicuspid valve. If, however, your valve is leaking, and in addition, you have a dilated aorta which is common in patient's with bicuspid valves, then the traditional approach would be safer. If you are interested in being evaluated by Dr. Brown for aortic valve surgery here at Maryland, please contact our office 410-328-7741. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 3 04/04/2010	I have an aotic valve narrowing. What is best treatment? The best treatment for aortic stenosis is surgery. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 4 04/03/2010	I am a delivery driver for Fedex. If I have valve replacement surgery, will I be able to perform normal work activities, such as pick-up and delivery of packages? Also, if minimally invasive surgery is used, how long before one could go back to work? With either approach, after valve surgery and appropriate time to recover, you should be able to go back to work. With the minimally invasive procedure, return to work would be quicker as you do not have to wait a full 3 months for the bone to heal. If you are interested in being evaluated by Dr. Brown for aortic valve surgery here at Maryland, please contact our office 410-328-7741. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 5 04/02/2010	I have been identified with Aortic Valve Stenosis. I'm currently 27 years old and as per the doctor's advice, I would need to undergo Valve Replacement surgery. If I choose a Mechanical Valve, what would be its expected lifetime? Also, what are the chances of Redo-AVR surgery later in my life? Your choice of valves should be discussed with the surgeon you choose to perform the procedure. There are pros and cons to the mechanical valve, one of which is a lifetime of Coumadin therapy, which has risks of bleeding as well as thrombosis of the valve if the therapy is held. If you are interested in being evaluated by Dr. Brown for aortic valve surgery here at Maryland, please contact our office 410-328-7741. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 6 03/20/2010	My grandfather has a faulty aortic valve and the doctors want to do open heart to repair. Is he a candiadate for a Mitraclip rather than open heart surgery? The Mitraclip is used for the mitral valve which is structurally different than the aortic valve. Your grandfather may be a candidate for a minimally invasive aortic valve procedure, however. If you are interested in coming to Maryland for an evaluation by Dr. Brown, please contact our office 410-328-7741. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 7 03/18/2010	Approximately 4 years ago, I was found to have a congenital aortic valve deftect for which I underwent valve replacement. At the time, I felt rushed into making a decision about surgery and chose a porcine valve because I am a very active individual and wanted to avoid Coumadin for as long as possible. I know I will need another valve replacment. What do you recommend? Is minimally invasive safe for a valve redo? Do you ever consider using Plavix or ASA alone for mechanical valves? Redo valve surgery can be performed through a minimally invasive upper sternotomy incision (see website). Coumadin must be used for mechanical valves; aspirin and Plavix alone are not sufficient. There are trials in the UK with the ON-X valve using aspirin therapy but not here in the US. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 8 03/17/2010	Can valve replacement result in any abnormal blood pressure readings? Valve replacement alone does not result in abnormal blood pressure readings. If you are having problems, you should consult your cardiologist. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP
Q : 9 03/16/2010	Keyhole aortic valve replacement - how long has this been done with patients in USA and are there complications with this type of surgery? Dr. Brown has been performing this surgery for many years. When used for the appropriate patient, the complication rate is very low, but similar to the traditional approach. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 10 03/09/2010	My wife (49, 5'6", 140lbs, in good health) has a murmur due to bicuspid aortic valve and her cardiologist recommends the traditional aortic valve surgery. Is aortic bi-pass an option for her? The aortic valve bypass is reserved for patients for whom traditional surgery is not a option and not used for patients as young as your wife. She may be a candidate for the minimally invasive aortic valve surgery with a small incision above the right breast. Dr. Brown would need to meet with your wife, review her medical data, and we would need to obtain a gated CT scan to make the final decision regarding the approach. If you are interested in coming to Maryland for a consultation, please contact our office 410-328-7741 and we will provide you with further information. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 11 02/25/2010	I had an echocardiogram this week and my aorta valve root was 4.2 cm. Three years ago it was 3.9 cm. Is this something I should worry about and what does it mean? If you have a bicuspid aortic valve and a dilated aorta, you should be followed closely for this condition. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 12 02/19/2010	I would like to know what the qualifications are for an elderly person to be a canadiate for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement. My father is 78 years old and scheduled to have heart cath soon to determine the severity of his aortic valve regurgitation. I am doing research for what would be the best surgery approach should he need surgery. Dr. Brown needs to review the catheterization and echocardiogram, as well as meet with the patient and perform a comprehensive exam to determine if the patient is a candidate for the procedure. If you would like to schedule a consultation, or have Dr. Brown review the medical data, please contact our office 410-328-5842. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 13 02/18/2010	I live in Jamaica. My dad has aortic regurgitation and is due for valve replacement. I have seen your articles on minimally invasive surgery. What is the cost of this and what are the success rates? The minimally invasive procedure is very successful. We are not involved with the financial piece, as insurance covers this procedure. For patients from out of the country whose insurance does not cover procedures in the USA, our financial department will help with this information. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 14 02/17/2010	I had bovine aortic vale replacement 5 years ago. Now my regurgitation is causing my heart to enlarge. I will be having another valve surgery soon. What is the mortality rate for resurgery? The mortality rate for re-operations these days is not much higher than the initial operation. Your valve choice should be made between you and your surgeon. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown
Q : 15 02/15/2010	I want to know if you do the Percutaneous Aortic Valve replacement. Is it approved in the U.S.? We do not currently perform that procedure here but are hoping to start within the next few months. It is currently in clinical trials here in the US. Jo Ann Sikora, CRNP Aortic Valve Program Coordinator Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Jamie Brown

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