Can a 95 year old survive an aortic valve replacement?

I have a friend who had this exact procedure at the age of 72. She was in very very bad shape...I'd say she was more like an 85 year old in terms of health, strength, and ability. After the operation, which was fast and uneventful, she felt like a new person. She could finally breathe, didn't struggle walking to the bathroom, had more energy, clarity of mind. She said to me...why didn't they offer this to me years ago??

I think because of the type of operation it is, and the fact that she is generally healthy other than the symptoms caused by a bad valve that it may be worth the surgery. She may, like my friend, feel like she has a new lease on life.

You should talk to the doctor and make sure you take his advice. Ask specifically about the type and amount of anesthesia and how this can be minimized as I would think this would be the riskiest part of the procedure.

Angel

My initial reaction was like a lot of the others here, why would a 95 year even consider such a thing? The literature implies the new procedure is fairly simple with excellent outcomes, but you might want to push the doctor for honest answers to a few quality of life questions... beyond prolonging life how will she benefit, what happens and how soon if she doesn't have it done.

My father is 94, recent diagnosis of multiple myaloma, our first reaction was hospice let him go. Dr. convinced us to not leave him in and pain and to do radiation and very light chemo, well it has worked very well out of pain mostly. BUT just because a medical treatment is available should you? A Dr. is usually going to push for the treatment, but now looking at my father I am not sure that was best. Seven weeks in the hospital now very weak and his comment to me was 'I should have just died" I would do a lot of research.

She's 95. Is it worth it to put her through this? I can't imagine I would want this if I lived to be 95. I can't imagine I'll live to 95. Hope not.....

Judda, what are the recommendations of her cardiologist? has she seen him/her, beyond being advised by an ER physician?

If not, that's the first step. She/he would know what other co-morbidity issues there are and what the best chances of survival and recovery are.

Frankly, I wouldn't rely that much on newspaper articles, even if the reporter was reliable. Reporters aren't medical people; they don't have access to someone's medical records, and they can't make judgments or projections. They can report generally but I'd look to your mother's treating physicians for guidance on survivability.

Thank you! This is the opposite from what I read last night. I'll go with this one! Mom doesn't want to talk about anything that isn't positive.
I guess my role is just play along with Mom til the end, no matter what. I can't save her and it's useless to try. Just need to support her on her chosen journey. Thanks again!

I did a web search for the latest info and all in all found a consensus that "Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Is Safe, Effective for Very Elderly Patients". here is a link, hope you can access it before it is removed
health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/10/tavr-procedure-safe-for-elderly-with-aortic-stenosis/