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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: April 15, 2023

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Allen Carkner got a guestbook from Deb Fisher

1 year ago (March 7, 2025)

Thanks for sharing about your steal wire removal. I've been having all the same issues as you minus the push up part. Lol I am having mine out this Tuesday March 11th.

Allen Carkner

I hope you find some relief after they get those out. I definitely feel better. I donâ€™t think any of us sternotomy patients should expect to be exactly the same as before sternotomy but itâ€™s worth trying to make things more comfortable.

Deb Fisher

Thank you

Allen Carkner got a guestbook from Ruth joy

1 year ago (November 14, 2024)

Hi Allen , Good Luck for when you get your results . You are doing great and the surgery that you had recently went well !!!

Allen Carkner got a guestbook from Dom

2 years ago (April 2, 2024)

Hi Allen! Congrats on your successful recovery and I hope that your valve lasts for a long long time. I do want to ask though, why did you decide to go with Ross's procedure? I am 21 myself and have a bicuspid valve, however my surgeon tells me that the... Read more.

Allen Carkner

Hello Dom, Iâ€™d like to start by saying our options for the replacement of bicuspid aortic valves are amazing, durable and can last a long time, but they are all imperfect. I decided on the Ross procedure because the idea of managing warfarin for hopefully 50-70 years made me uncomfortable... Read more.

Allen Carkner

My suggestion is, if you have any desire for an anticoagulant free life, you should at least speak to a surgeon face to face that has done the Ross procedure often with good success. Questions to ask should include, stroke risk, valve failure risk, valve reintervention frequency and risk. The... Read more.

Allen Carkner

https://www.aats.org/resources/1098

Allen Carkner

This is my surgeon speaking on this subject a bit. There is some surgical footage so only watch if you donâ€™t think it will overwhelm you. Careful not to stress yourself out too much. I understand itâ€™s a stressful time when preparing for surgery. Wish you the best.

Sue Maize

Great advice Allen! I am noting your questions to ask my surgeon next Wed when we meet for the 2nd time. Sheâ€™ll let me know then whether or not the RP is a good option for me. Thanks so much!