Surgeon Q&A: Can Dacron Grafts Calcify After Bicuspid Aortic Valve & Aneurysm Repair with Dr. Accola

www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Patients diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valves often struggle with aortic aneurysms, a swelling of the aorta that can be life-threatening. As a result, cardiac surgeons often perform aorta repairs using grafts during bicuspid aortic valve procedures.
While patients are typically concerned about the calcification of an aortic valve repair or replacement following an operation, there is very little discussion about the potential calcification of the aortic graft.
For example, Nikki recently asked, “My son had a bicuspid aortic valve repair and an aneurysm repair with a Dacron graft. Will this graft last forever? Or, does it eventually calcify?"
To answer Leslie's question about Dacron grafts within the aorta, we contacted Dr. Kevin Accola, a leading heart valve surgeon at AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida. During his extraordinary career, Dr. Accola has performed over 8,000 heart valve operations.
Key questions addressed by Dr. Accola in this video include:
1. What is the role of the aorta in the human heart?
2. Is it common for aorta grafts to calcify after a bicuspid aortic valve surgery?
3. Why should family members of patients with bicuspid aortic valves and aortic aneurysms get screened for those cardiac disorders?
4. What is Dr. Accola's advice for patients needing an aortic valve and/or aortic aneurysm surgery?
To contact Dr. Accola for an appointment or second opinion, please call [phone] or visit www.heart-valve-surgery.com/s....