anyone out there have  a saintjude mechanical heartvalve? please be serious?
606824
I am not a med student but I have a st jude pacemaker. Are you having problems with your equip? I have had to have my wires replaced twice and now the new set is fractured, I clotted the first time so my cardiologist says that when he changes them he will have to open my chest and put me on the by-pass machine so that he won't disturb any of the clotted area.....I' m really worried about it.
368832
Nikki - I'm happy to give you some information as a cardiologist, but the best thing for you to do is to go back and see your cardiologist in order to have these questions answered because there are several things important to making a diagnosis that you don't mention.  One of the big factors is how old you are and what your risk factors for coronary disease are (high blood pressure, lipid levels, family history, whether you smoke).  Also, it helps to know what brings on your shortness of breath and/or chest discomfort.  Is it with activity only?  Does it happen at random?  How long does it last?  What makes it go away?\n\nLet's talk about your bicuspid aortic valve first.  A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that has developed abnormally such that two of the three cusps have fused into one.  There are two main issues with this.  The first is that bicuspid aortic valves have a much higher than normal tendency to become stenotic, meaning it can become calcified, hardened, and interfere with the normal ejection of blood from your heart.  The first sign of this would be a heart murmur.  Over time, if the valve becomes severely stenosed, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath with activity, or fainting spells.  Patients with bicuspid aortic valves should undergo routine echocardiograms every one to two years to assess the valve function.  Once the valve becomes severely stenosed, surgery to replace the valve should be discussed.  Not all patients with bicuspid valves will go on to have aortic stenosis, but those that do typically require surgery in their 40's or 50's.\n\nThe second issue with patients with bicuspid aortic valves is that they commonly have aneurysms (or dilatation) of the aortic root and/or ascending aorta.  This is important because patients with a bicuspid aortic valve are also at a higher risk for dissection (a tear in the lining of the aorta) than other patients with the same degree of aortic dilatation.  Therefore, this is also something that should be followed by serial echocardiograms.  The recommendation for surgery in a patient with bicuspid aortic valve is an ascending aortic aneurysm of approximately 5.0 to 5.5cm, but this varies somewhat from doctor to doctor.  (This is a bit earlier than would be recommended for a patient without a bicuspid aortic valve.)\n\nBeta-blockers, such as atenolol, have been shown in one study to reduce the rate of growth of the ascending aorta in a group of young males with Marfan syndrome.  Since patients with bicuspid aortic valves have histologically similar changes in their aortas, this data has been extrapolated and applied to patients with bicuspid aortic valves as well.  While there are no hard and fast rules, I would personally keep all patients with a bicuspid aortic valve and an enlarged aortic root on beta-blockers for life.  This reduces the blood pressure and amount of stress placed on the wall of the aorta, and this is how it is thought to reduce growth of the aneurysm.  For this reason, patients with a dilated aortic root and/or ascending aorta are advised to restrict their activity to moderate aerobic exercise (no training for marathons or that sort of thing) and no isometric exercises.  That's primarily heavy weight lifting, but really includes any activities where you Valsalva (straining, such as when you're constipated), so stomach crunches are sort of on the borderline of what would be recommended.\n\nTwo last thing about bicuspid aortic valves... there is a strong familial tendency, so most cardiologists would screen siblings of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve as well.  Also, as one of the previous doctors recommended, you should have a prescription to take antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures to prevent infection of the valve.  By the same token, you should make sure you get regular dental care because poor dental health increases your risk as well.\n\nNow regarding the shortness of breath and che
248062
I am taking PC Maintenance. Almost done with the first semister. It's fine. Let me know if you need anything.\n\nThanks
893925
Hi. Try this link : http://www.ynhh.org/cardiac/heart/index.html
578529
do u need one or are u giving one away \nplse email me and tell me celtichearty2k@yahoo.com
955278
By what information you have given me my 1st guess would be cardiogenic shock. But you don't say why the thoracotomy was preformed. Was it for heart, heart valves, lung, thorasic aorta, esphageal or spine surgery. You also don't say wether this patient had a cardiac or pulmonary arrest or if both which occured 1st. I chose cardiogenic shock 1st due to all the already existing cardiac issues and additional symptoms. Was the CHF ( which  pulmonary edema is a symptom) caused by the cardiomegaly , the A-fib, the MV prosthesis or a combination of some or all. You also mentioned a previous CABG, but you didn't mention any myocardial injury occuring. This pt. not only had mechanical issues but also had electrical problems as demonstrated by the A-fib and the RBBB. The pulmonary involvement sounds more like it's due to all the cardiac problems. You mentioned hypotention but not whether it was due to medication or if it was a symptom of the cardiomegaly. You mentioned oliguria but nothing of CRF or even ARF post surgery. So was this a new onset? You give no lab values that could indicate organ functions. Sooooooooo. I still stand with cardiogenic shock as my 1st choice (chosen from all the cardiac envolvement and the possibility that he could have thrown a clot [a-fib, PMV and had to be taken off thinners for the surgery] and had an MI. The symptoms of hypotention & oliguria occur in cardiogenic shock). My 2nd choice would be a CVA ( due to the A-fib the PMV and the fact he had to be off anticoagulants for the thoracotomy. 3rd and lastly alcohol withdrawal (just kidding! Really I was just kidding!)
289136
Your subject is somewhat vague, but I believe the web site below can help.\nEnter Valve into their search window. Several device manufacturers are mentioned.\nHope this helps.
1168601
My dad is going through the same problem right now.  He had a scan done, and they are setting up for the vascular surgeon to go in and put in a stent.  He has had this done once before, we were told too much plaque build-up, cholesteral.  He is on Lipitor for that, but the Dr. said it HAS to be done!!  His other side is blocked 80%!!  So try to get in touch with your family Dr. to get set-up for tests ASAP to get a professional problem.  Someone go with the patient to write things down because the patient is usually pretty stressed out to remember what was said!!  Good Luck for Good Health.
874047
http://www.5minutesonline.com/2D/yourcheatinheart.htm\n\nHope that's the one yer after. Seemed to be some conflicting dates ...
961522
Poor you, I had surgery for mine two years ago and I've had no problems (touch wood!!!).  You can go for the op again, but the likelyhood is that if it came back after the first one it will eventually come back after a repeated one.\n\nI would recommend you get a splint for your wrist and wear it when it is possible to, avoid unnecessary repeated movement in your wrist and try an ice/heat pack for the pain.
966537
It might be a problem with an iron or steel stent.   Ask the doc.
396030
Um, you better get to a doctor ASAP. It sounds like a heart attack, or heart murmur. And don't laugh it off, even if you think you're too young. I had a co-worker who had a terrible heart attack at age 19. It happened at work, she was complaining about something similar to yours. A few hours later, she stood up to leave, and just passed out. We had to call the ambulance. She survived, but had to quit working.
823099
For a finger, I think it's more of a cosmetic issue than a function issue.  They do have some out there now that if you didn't know they were prosthetic look very real.  If you have the money and it's something you want, go for it.  If you don't think you would use it, then it won't really be worth it.  But this is a decision only you can make for yourself.  Good luck with whatever decision you make.
720173
Sorry, I don't, but I was watching a guy with one of those, they are awesome. Good luck finding one!
737975
my niece has this done regular due to a hole in the heart.  take a gameboy etc an try to stay calm, good luck.
493526
A friend of mine has one that he is giving away; I'll let him know to contact you.  PS.  Hope you don't mind going to the bottom of lake Michigan to get it.
1031082
OK what is up with this heart attack stuff..My husband and now your mom. \nShe will be in my prayers. Keep us posted about her updates. Take your laptop and keep in touch.\nI had a very hard time and still am dealing with it all. I come here to escape it all..I took my lap top in one day in his room and the Doctor asked me  have you heard of that Yahoo Q&A and I said yes and I showed him this one and he said there is this one babe from and he stopped and said no way...And I said yes..Funny small world................So you wanted new.........\n\nI  have  official made the commitment to take my road trip. I just emailed my family and told them that I was going and if they were not going to support me on this one OWell things happen..\nIt just hit me I need to do this regardless of life and what is going on. LOL for me