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| Red Jasper The Warrior's Stone |
It is special to hear from someone again after many years.
Sometimes it is good news, just checking in to say how well it is going.
Sometimes it is far from good news, it is heartbreaking.
That is when we are reminded why BAF exists.
I spoke with Adam today. He had his aortic valve and aortic aneurysm replaced in 2006. He was so young when he had surgery, just 30 years old. A checkup last November showed his prosthetic bovine aortic valve, over 12 years old by then, still holding up well. He and his wife have a lovely family of four children. Life had been good!
And then without warning, everything changed.
Infective Endocarditis (IE)
Beginning in early January, Adam ran a fever and did not feel well. He went to a doctor, who prescribed an antibiotic. It did not help. He continued to run daily fevers. He saw a second doctor, then a third. The medicines prescribed just did not work.
Finally in early April, three months from the first onset of fever, a fourth doctor diagnosed the problem: infection in his heart valve, endocarditis.
He has finished a course of intravenous antibiotics and now faces surgery. There is a question about the best option to replace the damaged bovine valve. There is some controversy that makes the choice difficult. The reason is that once the heart has been infected, there is an increased risk of getting infection there again.
Yes, infection changes the picture, because infection in the heart may be deadly. No one wants another infection there, and it dominates the thinking and planning for surgery.
Bacteria in the Blood
How did Adam get this infection in his heart? He does not know how it happened. Maybe a small cut or break in his skin. Somehow, the bacteria entered his blood. As his blood washed over the bovine aortic valve surfaces with each heart beat, some of the bacteria "stuck" to the valve surfaces.
Over time the bacteria grew entrenched on the valve, damaging the leaflets, forming clusters called vegetation. The bacteria may also hide in crevices that are not visible or easily reached by antibiotics. Surgery is aimed at addressing all of these issues.
Endocarditis Increasing
While many things may have been conquered or at least reduced with time, endocarditis is not one of them. It is actually increasing according to medical articles such as the following.
Endocarditis: An Ever Increasing Problem in Cardiac Surgery
Current practice in prophylaxis of endocarditis: are we running into trouble?Only the introductory text is available to the public, but these example articles speak to the increased risk of infection in the heart.
Cleveland Clinic has an endocarditis center, where more information is available.
Thoughts and Prayers for Adam and his Family
Adam is in the midst of working through the three W's: What, Where, and When surgery will be done. Surgery must not wait because of the vegetation still in his heart, so the what and where need to be settled quickly.
At the same time, this beautiful family has just learned that their little daughter, age 2, has leukemia.
Yes, this father, his little daughter, and this entire family will appreciate positive, loving thoughts and prayers today and in the days ahead.
Surrounding them
with positive thoughts and prayers,
we Create a Climate of Hope.
~ Arlys Velebir
Bicuspid Aortic Foundation
*Originally published under the name Aaron, BAF now has permission to use his actual first name, which is Adam.
