|
Jacques Menu A malformation of my aortic valve was diagnosed when I was 25. It finally led to a replacement of that valve in october 1998, at the age of 46. I've benefitted from the Ross procedure and today, 3 months later, I feel fine and even better than before. In particular, I'm able do pratice physical activities in much better conditions. As it happens, I even don't snore any longer when sleeping, though that may not be linked with the surgery in any way. The main difficulty for me was that of divergent medical advices. The cardiologist that has followed me up for several years suggested a mechanical valve, with the advantage of durability. But that meant anticoagulation for the rest of my life, and bleeding or valve infection risks. The cardiologist that did the coronography suggested a biological (animal) valve. No anticoagulation in that case, but I might have to undergo a redo surgery after ten years or so. My mind was nearly set up on a mechanical valve when I remembered a former friend, who became a cardiologist in the meantime, and asked him for an advice. He was the one who first talked to me about the Ross procedure and its advantages (no anticoagulation, small infection risk, little re-surgery risk). After checking the operation for feasibility through exact measurement of valve diameters and assertion of no pulmonary valve leakage, he submitted my case to Prof. L. K. Von Segesser, MD, head of the heart surgery division of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) at Lausanne, who alread had practised that operation. After getting explanations from my friend, studying the operation in detail on this very Internet site, meeting a Ross patient, and meeting Prof. Dr Von Segesser pre-op, I chose the Ross procedure. I've noticed that it is not wellknown here, even among cardiologists, and that's why I wanted to share what I've been through. My experience is different from those reported by the other alumni, probably because the swiss health system is very different from those of the USA and Australia. Here, one stays from 5 to 10 days in the hospital for open heart surgery, and patients usually can have cardio-vasculary rehabilitation. The latter is paid by health insurance companies as a rule, although restrictions exist in some parts of the country. I've been able to benefit from such a stay in a dedicated clinic, that was most profitable to me. As a matter of fact, I've had several arrhythmic episodes (atrial fibrillation) that required medical intervention. Moreover, I would not have dared put such a strong demand on my heart on my own. Another difference with some alumni reports is about post-op pain, related as very strong. In fact, I've been through unpleasant periods such as pleural fluid removal or fibrillation, but I've never actually felt pain so to speak. It has to be said that I've had strong analgesics on the days first after the surgery. My experience is very positive and I'm happy to thank all the team that took care of me, M.D.'s, surgeons and care staff. I've also appreciated a lot the support from my family and friends on that occasion. The details are now beginning to fade away, but I won't forget the impressive event, the first fibrillation episode post-op, with my heart pulsing forcefully and my new regurgitationless aortic valve : my whole thorax moved ! I'd be glad to answer any question potential Ross patients may like to ask me. Thanks above all to Cary Mader who made this site available to net surfers, thus helping me very much to make my mind up knowingly about the operation. It would have been most embarrassing to chose a mechanical valve and to learn afterwards that another very interesting possibily existed that could be applied to me. I'm very happy today that I asked that 3rd medical advice, and I often think of this little part of an anonymous donor that works in my chest... |