Aortic aneurysms, heart infection, and narrowing of the aorta can also occur. This results in inhibited or leaky blood flow, which affects the overall heart function and leaves the body with low oxygen. With unicuspid aortic valve, the valve often has just a small hole or no hole at all.Ĭomplications: Because of this abnormality, the valve doesn’t function properly. Prevalence: Aortic valve atresia/stenosis accounts for approximately 6% of all CHS cases, occurring in 3.8 out of every 10,000 live births worldwide.Īnatomy: Normally, the aortic valve has three small flaps or leaflets that open widely and close securely to regulate blood flow. Treatment: Options for aortic valve atresia/stenosis include medical management with medicine, valve replacement via open-heart surgery, or a balloon procedure via catheterization. Symptoms: Fatigue upon exertion, failure to gain weight, poor or inadequate feeding, breathing problems. As a result, the heart has to pump harder and the body is deprived of oxygen. About Megan's Heart ConditionsĪnatomy: The aortic valve, which connects the left ventricle to the aorta, is severely narrowed (stenosis) or missing altogether (atresia).Ĭomplications: This abnormality restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and may also affect the pressure in the left atrium. Some of my very best friends have been made by connecting in our heart journeys. I love meeting new heart patients and talking all about our heart conditions, experiences, symptoms, futures etc. I live in Ohio, I’m a mom, a writer, an animal lover, and I am passionate about all things heart health. Please add anything you want to share that we didn’t cover! I worry that I won’t get to live my life to the fullest because my heart issues will always hold me back. I worry about needing additional surgeries, or passing some sort of genetic defect down to my daughter. We hope that with the mechanical valve I will not need any additional surgeries, but time will tell.Īre there any worries or challenges you have faced/continue to face being a CHD Warrior? I have suffered from pumphead syndrome – a constellation of neurocognitive impairments attributed to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery – since my most recent surgery.ĭo you have any surgeries/procedures currently scheduled? Or will there be a need for future surgeries/procedures? The warfarin and 81mg aspirin will be for the rest of my life as for the blood pressure medication, it is unclear whether I’ll ever be able to come off that one.Īre there any restrictions you face due to your condition? Is it something you are temporarily taking or something you will have to take for the rest of your life? Yes, I take warfarin, aspirin and a blood pressure medication. Countless appointments, tests, etc throughout the years.Īre you currently on any medications as a result of your heart condition? I’ve had two stays for heart surgeries, one 4 days and the other 5 days. Both completed through open sternum procedures.Īpproximately, how much time have you spent in the hospital throughout your life? What are the names or types of surgeries/procedures you have undergone and what was the purpose of them?Ģ014 – Aortic Valve Repair to temporarily correct my stenosis.Ģ020 – Aortic Valve Replacement with an On-X Mechanical valve in hopes of eliminating any future surgeries. How many surgeries and/or procedures have you undergone? If you could describe yourself in 3-5 words, how would you? Our Heart Warrior of the Week is Megan Cauley! We talked with Megan about her journey with aortic stenosis and unicuspid aortic valve over the last 28 years, here is what she had to say:
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