Rob's Profile

I am preparing for aortic valve replacement surgery and would like to develop a support network for myself and my family. A heart murmur was discovered in 2016 in a routine annual physical. A TTE was performed. Aortic valve was “normal trileaflet”. In July of 2018 another annual physical revealed it had worsened (stethoscope). TTE result was alarming and they gave me a CT scan immediately! I was diagnosed with a “functionally bicuspid” aortic valve with moderate to severe regurgitation. Having no symptoms at all makes it all feel very surreal. Over the last 5 weeks I arranged appointments at Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Venugopal Menon, underwent several tests (TTE, TEE, Stress-echo and MRI) and have scheduled surgery for Sept 26, 2018 with Dr Gosta Pettersson for valve replacement. I am a 50 year-old male still in the prime of his career enjoying being a first-time grandfather! Open heart surgery comes a BIG surprise! I am electing to do this now so I can pick the timing and the team! I know already I will be a future valve-in-valve guy, so let’s get the proper stuff installed now, right? I admire and am inspired by those of you out there who have more complicated journeys than my own as well those who have already taken the leap!