Hi all. My relatively healthy mother has been advised by the ER cardiologist to have a heart valve replacement. There was an article last year in the NY Times that this operation is expensive and causes other problems especially in the very old. Any experience with this?
Her symptoms are difficulty breathing, weakness in her arms and fingers, raspy throat.
I think because of the type of operation it is, and the fact that she is generally healthy other than the symptoms caused by a bad valve that it may be worth the surgery. She may, like my friend, feel like she has a new lease on life.
You should talk to the doctor and make sure you take his advice. Ask specifically about the type and amount of anesthesia and how this can be minimized as I would think this would be the riskiest part of the procedure.
Angel
If not, that's the first step. She/he would know what other co-morbidity issues there are and what the best chances of survival and recovery are.
Frankly, I wouldn't rely that much on newspaper articles, even if the reporter was reliable. Reporters aren't medical people; they don't have access to someone's medical records, and they can't make judgments or projections. They can report generally but I'd look to your mother's treating physicians for guidance on survivability.
I guess my role is just play along with Mom til the end, no matter what. I can't save her and it's useless to try. Just need to support her on her chosen journey. Thanks again!
health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/10/tavr-procedure-safe-for-elderly-with-aortic-stenosis/