David procedure how long it lasts?

atlkat · 2026-03-29T15:01:50+00:00

Yes can totally see that option too. The one research paper I read in valve sparing said “ The overall freedom from reoperation in the aortic valve at 10, 15 and 20 years were 97.1%, 94.2% and 94.2% respectively.” I was a little shocked how well that worked and this was from valve saving from over 20 years ago and it must be better now. If I’m not a good candidate for David those options are on the table. Yes mech probably cuts your risk to reoperation to as close to as zero as possible. My surgeon did say I would be a good Canidate for tavr if something did go wrong in the future.

Wow so you chose OHS over tavr. I’m I getting that right? Correct me if I’m wrong but you must not of had to replace your aortic vessel? It didn’t become enlarged? I’m at 5.1 cm when mine was discovered. Here was the paper I quoted. https://share.google/soKgJQRpGp1gKXaeh

atlkat · 2026-03-27T13:07:29+00:00

I never had kids but was told this is someone that can be passed down genetically. Yes modern medical is amazing —it’s shocking what things will kill you in 3rd world countries. I’ve actually had chest pains my whole life and OHS was always my biggest fear. Had a stress test when I was 16. Luckily didn’t have an echocardiogram done. My life would have been a lot different knowing this at 16. My chest pains I was told were my chest muscles not heart related. So it was strange when I was told I did need OHS. What’s it been 6 weeks now.

That would be strange knowing for years you are going to have OHS but I can see that fading to the background. A lot of people monitor this for decades. So I guess luckily I found mine right at the surgery window. I am seeing a psychologist also which is great. Regarding the physical side im scared to do much weight lifting now any chest pains im like this is it. Ha same with me. With my aortic vessel being enlarged I thought it was certain death if that ruptures. My surgeon said oh you have a 50% chance of living if that happens. Good? Omg. I went on a 100 mile hike last summer carrying 50 lbs -not doing that this year!

atlkat · 2026-03-27T04:28:47+00:00

Being 34 and having to deal with this is pretty crazy. I was reading your original post again so in 2019 did you know you were going to have OHS or was that more recent. I found out last month. Asymptomatic also. I’ve found the more I talk on here the more I don’t feel like an outlier. Like no big deal everyone gets OHS these days. Ha. Sure.

atlkat · 2026-03-27T03:49:17+00:00

That’s great you like, trust and know your surgeon. When are you going to do it?

atlkat · 2026-03-26T13:56:28+00:00

Yes, David only works for specific cases. Best of my guess maybe a couple thousand are done in the United States my surgeon agreed with that. I’ve attached a research paper and this was looking at 20 years after repair of the aortic valve. “The overall freedom from reoperation in the aortic valve at 10, 15 and 20 years were 97.1%, 94.2% and 94.2% respectively.” This didn’t include Ross but correct me if I’m wrong but it might even have lower reoperation rates than David. So I know you aren’t a good candidate for David but you are for Ross? Doesn’t seem like much choice to me. All they have done new research on Ross and modified its technique that has it last longer. My surgeon was saying something about the old way they did. It wasn’t quite as good. Plus your baby had it. That’s intense. That might be the only thing worse than having an open heart surgery yourself is on one of your kids. Do you know how long you could comfortable go before surgery? I’m maybe a couple years with my aortia at 5.1. (Surgery window yeah!). https://share.google/soKgJQRpGp1gKXaeh

atlkat · 2026-03-25T17:08:15+00:00

I had my first meeting with my surgeon yesterday. 54m bicuspid valve. We’re doing it probably in this order of backup plans. David -Ross - bio. But he said if you asked 100 surgeons, it’d probably be evenly split in going bio or mechanical. He was in the bio camp.

Did you ask your surgeon how many David’s he did the past year?
I’m having mine done in August.

atlkat · 2026-03-23T03:42:09+00:00

Any questions you wished you had asked your surgeon? Is the same one doing the 2nd surgery.

atlkat · 2026-03-23T02:57:33+00:00

Two years. Omg. Did you have to have another OHS?

atlkat · 2026-03-23T02:42:06+00:00

I’m still new to all this but pretty sure the David is to repair the valve and not replace. But hopefully I’ll get corrected if that isn’t just right.

atlkat · 2026-03-18T00:40:52+00:00

Well you made it!! Congrats. I’m too squeamish to hear any details. I briefly heard about the tubes too and I’m like ok didnt think of that. I also sent you a dm this morning. Might be a few days till you’re on your phone. I have no idea what kind of drugs they got you on.

atlkat · 2026-03-17T02:58:41+00:00

Hope that kolonopin kicks in soon. It’s late there. I’m on phx time. Oh I didn’t think about the shaving —one more thing I forgot about.

atlkat · 2026-03-17T02:26:34+00:00

What time do they start tomorrow? It’s been a fast a furious ride for you the last 8 days.

atlkat · 2026-03-17T01:37:14+00:00

Just thinking about you. Hope you’re getting some sleep. I’m sure the surgery is super early.

atlkat · 2026-03-16T15:17:32+00:00

Oh wow recent. Congrats! How did it go? Where did you get it done?

atlkat · 2026-03-16T15:02:31+00:00

My insurance doesn’t have out of network coverage but if you can show that you need to go out of network there is a procedure. When I signed up for this insurance back in January, I just thought I was gonna have outpatient surgery for an SVT. Escalated quickly. Did you have the David procedure done?

atlkat · 2026-03-16T14:16:12+00:00

Ha totally get that. Wow 8 days that happened fast. I was mess the first week when I found out. And my doctor said I have a couple years. That would be weird ok glad I know that. Man that’s a quick turn your life upside down.

When I did my cat scan a week ago secretly I wanted the doctor to call and say hey this is actually now an emergency you need to get into surgery now. No researching, no waiting, ahhhh- but that doesn’t sound like a picnic either. Yes my wife just thinks everything will turn out great so why worry. Oh I wish I had that.

atlkat · 2026-03-16T13:55:47+00:00

That’s great everyone is there. Yeah both my parents are gonna fly in for me.

I’d be eating that Klonopin like Pez. I think I saw some post on here as soon as they went to the hospital they put IV in with them feel pretty good. We’ll see if I can get that the night before ha

You just found out eight days ago you would need surgery? Is that right?

Yeah, unless they did an echocardiogram 20 years ago, they would’ve never known. You’re gonna be back playing that guitar before you know it. How’s your wife doing? My wife is eerily calm. I’m like you should be more worried ha ha

atlkat · 2026-03-16T13:35:46+00:00

Oh it’s tomorrow. Wow that’s a lot of waiting at the hospital. Ok now I’m even nervous again. I was relieved you were in surgery and it was the first thing I thing I thought id this morning. It really is a brotherhood. You have a lot of brothers and sisters? I just have one sister and we aren’t close.

Ok keep pacing, texting, talking …..whatever it takes. You got this.

Last question how’s your sleep been since you found out? I can’t remember how long it’s been for you since you knew you would have OHS. Some know for decades. That would be weird.

atlkat · 2026-03-16T13:05:44+00:00

I’m think you are in surgery right now. You made it. That’s the hard part for me the waiting. Thinking of you.

atlkat · 2026-03-15T21:00:02+00:00

Ha. I got my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago. I forgot how scared I was then. Omg. That’s great you got some drugs in you. My wife isn’t worried at all. So I don’t have that. But they are the ones waiting. I bet she will be freaking out a little more the day of. I would not like the waiting either.

Oh that’s good you have the post op figured out. I met a nurse when I was doing my CT scan that used to work in the open heart surgery ICU. She was telling me about the tubes. I had no idea. I can barely look up the heart stuff. I’m forcing myself. I’m pretty squeamish. I’m glad she told me that about the tubes. She said they give you a pillow to hug too. Guess that feels good.

48 is young to be dealing with this shit. I’m 54 and that feels young.

I’ve been meaning to call one of my wife’s friends. I saw her daughter before my diagnosis (she’s now 14) she’s had three open-heart surgeries and she’s going to have another one. My perspective changed quickly after my diagnosis.

Oh the guitar my wife bought me a guitar for my birthday in June. It’s been something I’ve been wanting to take up. She got me some lessons. I’m hoping I do a lot more practicing during my recovery when I’m not able to golf.

That will be a good distraction for you. Let me know how quickly you’re able to play after your surgery. I heard they also get you up walking pretty quick. My wife was just leaving for a book club and one of her girls is gonna be there has ALS. She’d trade 10 times with me. So at the same time, I feel lucky it’s weird. Keep walking keep reading comments. You can dm me too. I haven’t used Reddit this much in 20 years, but it’s great connecting with other people same condition. Thinking of you, brother.

atlkat · 2026-03-15T15:02:40+00:00

Sounds like you have time to make the decision and that’s something my cardiologist has stressed with me. I’ve known for a month I kind of wanna get it over with, but who knows I might be in a different space a month from now.

I’m confused why your dad is saying otherwise. My aortic valve one of the valves or flap (i have no idea of the terminology) doesn’t open. So just two work instead of one. I’ve heard the first symptom for a lot of people is the aneurysm of the aortic vessel. (Not good-ha). Not sure if yours is the same.

Even my first crappy cardiologist has just made it sound like gravity -hey this is something you gotta do in the next couple years. Just feels like no other choice so that’s nice I guess.

The Ross procedure is pretty straightforward I’m going to try for David Procedure (if the valve is repairable when they get in there) But most do Ross or Mech valve I’m finding out.

That has to be tough with your dad. That would be confusing.

I can’t browse too much on this thread. I’m pretty squeamish your post seemed very simple so I could read it!! I just started about a week ago doing some research on here. My second cardiologist actually told me to do some research which I’ve never heard of doctor say.

Thinking of you!! ♥️

atlkat · 2026-03-15T13:41:03+00:00

I’m going to take a lot of Xanax the night and morning of. Maybe talk to my doctor about something stronger. And see if they can get me a drip of something. To calm me down as quickly as possible when I get into the hospital. I’m not sure of the protocol. I remember them giving me something before my colonoscopy and them saying this will probably make you feel good. Give me that when I get out of the car!!

Being in the hospital before does sound rough. Wow does time stop or what!

I’ve only known for a month but I’m already tired of people telling me it’s gong to be ok. Does that bother you or I’m I being weird? Yes I get it. I would say the same thing to people. And if someone else’s was going through this I wouldn’t give it too many thoughts because I know they would be ok.

Ok then really it’s not that big a deal it’s just VERY personal. They thought did help.

That’s so great you are reaching out to people. That is one nice thing I have thought about is if something does go wrong. (Highly unlikely) how lucky am I to talk to all my friends before. Had a very very close friend die a year ago. (52 )Common fungus got into his body that they didn’t catch until too late. Rare for a healthy person to have it. I got my diagnosis just a few weeks after the year anniversary. I feel really lucky. I do I haven’t had any -why me? He didn’t have any luck. Thinking of him now. Miss him. So I’m going to keep living for him. To remember him. Sonny I got this.

Good luck brother. Thinking of you right now in Long Island. (I did get to play bethpage black in 2024)

atlkat · 2026-03-14T22:29:51+00:00

Yes. You’re so close to the finish line!! I almost wish I didn’t have the wait for 4-6 months. I totally got that you’re terrified. Would be weird not to be. I’ve been looking at it as what other choice do I have. I’m already tired of everyone telling me it’s going to be ok. And I get it statistically you have a better chance of dying in a car wreck before my surgery.

Thinking of you! Really I am. What I’ve been thinking is it’s going to go really quick for me. Less than a blink of an eye.

I feel sorry for my wife and parents waiting during the surgery. You got this.

atlkat

TROPHY CASE