Clinical Impact of "Moderate" Aortic Stenosis and the Potential Benefit of Therapy

Cardiovascular Grand Rounds presented by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation®
This presentations features Drs. Paul Sorajja, Nadira Hamid, João Cavalcante and Bilal Murad of the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute

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I am a classic example of being underestimated with Aortic Stenosis. Two years ago, I had a cardiac catheterization, the results of which, my regular cardiologist proclaimed my situation as being in "moderate aortic stenosis"...I had also been in AFIB, and on medication, for two years. I lobbied for a 2nd opinion on my condition. I was referred to a Structural Heart specialist, who was more zeroed in, on patients suffering from both AFIB and moderate aortic stenosis...He too, felt that I was "still" in the moderate range for stenosis, but he suggested I enter a study program--that he was involved with--that would monitor me over a period of many months. I did enroll...and just three months later, a paid-for Echocardiogram indicated SEVERE aortic stenosis!...My somewhat surprised Structural Heart specialist then immediately scheduled me for a TAVR procedure...The procedure was done, after a ninety-day post procedure I had undergone for my AFIB!...that procedure had worked, amazingly. But as stated, the TAVR procedure then was performed on me. That was two weeks ago...I feel much stronger, and with the good Ablation procedure getting rid of my curse of AFIB (four years worth!), I now feel good!...My point of all of this, is to be pro-active in regards to your own heart situation, lobby for 2nd opinions whenever possible, and stay informed. My main cardiologist was convinced I did not need a new Aortic valve--and so was the Specialist--until my joining the study of folks in "moderate aortic stenosis" showed them that I actually was in the "SEVERE" category, and definitely needed the TAVR procedure. Personal perseverence may well have saved my life!