Have you had surgery for heart failure?

No

No

The Heart Patient of Brian Keller.
In January of 2022 I was getting routine testing done at my cardiology office. My cardiologist thought he saw an enlarged aorta. So he ordered a CT of my chest/heart to confirm. That CT did indeed confirm I had an enlarged aorta. I went to a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Tower Health's Reading Hospital. I had routine tests every couple months to keep an eye on my heart. After my CT scan in November of 2022, my Cardiothoracic Surgeon determined that it was time to do surgery, due to my aortic aneurysm getting bigger and a family history of heart disease. I had a heart cath done to make sure i didn't have any blockages that needed to be addressed. On January 9th, 2023 I had my first Open Heart Surgery at Tower Health. I chose to get a mechanical aortic valve. Figuring that it would outlive me. (Figures for a young man right?) Due to some complications during my surgery, I needed a pacemaker due to a complete heart block. Well my mechanical valve malfunction causing me to get short of breath, swelling in my legs, and all the signs of heart failure. I had messaged my cardiology office to see what they'd like too do. A nurse called me back and said that I needed to go to the ER immediately, because I was in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). So I went to Penn State Health St Joseph Medical Center (PSHSJ) ER. After sitting in the waiting room for 6 hours. I finally got a room that had a monitor in due to having CHF. The staff started me on Lasix and getting the fluid removed from my body. After numerous tests and discussions with Cardiology and Hospitalist, it was determined that a leaflet in my mechanical valve was stuck. It was decided that since I would need treatment beyond what PSHSJ can handle, I would be transferred to Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center (PSHMJHMC). Once I arrived at Hershey, they ran some tests and decided to start me on TPA (clot busting medicine) to try and break up the blood clot. After 3 rounds of TPA and no results. Open Heart Surgery was determined to be the only way to fix my valve. However Hershey did not feel comfortable preforming the surgery, in case there would be compilations they could not handle. Discussions were had with me, doctors, and Penn Medicine in Philadelphia for transfer of care. I agreed and we then transferred my care to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (Penn Medicine) in Philadelphia. Once in Philadelphia I had another set of tests done including bloodwork, Echo, and a complete heart catherization. After meeting with my Cardiothoracic Surgeon and he reviewing the results of my tests, he determined that it was time for me to have a second Open Heart Surgery. While I was in the OR, the surgeon deemed it necessary to complete a single vessel CABG. While I was in a medically indused coma for 5 days, so my heart could heal, swelling could go down and if a assistance device was needed. After the surgeon closed my chest, I was transferred to ICU for a few days. Then a regular room. Where I started physical therapy and occupation therapy. I was able to be released home instead of going to rehab. I had a visiting nurse come after both of my surgeries to help monitor everything. I know see a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cardiologist, and a Electrophysiologist who is monitoring my care, my EF and everything associated with being an Open Heart Patient. My Electrophysiologist is able to remotely monitor my pacemaker through Medtronics and they're at home base station.