I am scheduled for surgery next Wednesday 13th in Cleveland. Doctor seems to believe since symptoms came quickly that he will be able to repair valve. If not a tissue valve will be put in.
Decided not to use artificial one because I would need to be on blood thinners and tested every 3 to 4 weeks for rest of my life. He said even though they estimate a tissue valve lasting 10 years they normally last much longer and that in next 5 to 8 years or so they should be able to do repairs via artery in groin. One of my friends grandmother had tissue valve put in at 66 yrs old and died of natural causes at 91 with hers.
So, cut open chest, stop heart, hook up to machine to pump blood and breath, repair heart, wire chest cavity back into place, sew up, restart heart. Piece of cake
Have to go in Mon or Tues for pre op. Not a fun drive into Cleveland but at least I have a date and time.