Second valve, second chance

Len with his son Mark Perry

Len Parry was 91 and getting desperately short of breath. He could barely speak or eat, and needed oxygen around the clock. Len’s aortic valve had been surgically replaced 23 years earlier. Now that replacement, a tissue valve, was wearing out.

Len was too frail to undergo another surgical valve replacement. He and his son, Mark, had learned about trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). It’s a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube to access the damaged heart valve through the blood vessels.

Mark wasn’t sure his dad would be eligible for TAVI — or if he could survive it. But Len’s health was failing fast. Something had to be done!

Mark and Len shared their story with Heart Valve Voice.

How was Len’s health after his initial valve replacement?

Mark Parry: My dad had open-heart surgery in 2000 – a bypass as well as aortic valve replacement.

He had other health issues after that, including hip and knee replacements as well as two bouts of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But his heart continued to do well. He would have an echocardiogram once a year to check the aortic valve. They would take a look and say, “Okay, you're good to go.”

How did you know the valve was starting to fail?

Mark Parry: By 2022, Dad started having episodes of being breathless to the point of needing oxygen. It was causing him a lot of anxiety.

We knew the valve was past its predicted lifespan of 18-20 years. It was no longer closing and opening properly. So instead of the oxygenated blood getting out, some was flowing backwards. Dad’s cardiologist introduced the idea that TAVI was a potential solution in the future. So that gave us time to investigate.

What convinced you that TAVI was the answer?

Mark Parry: At first, I wasn’t sure if TAVI would even be an option for my dad at his age. But once we learned more, I realized we could have pushed for TAVI earlier.

My neighbour had a helpful perspective. She is a rehabilitation specialist who works with patients recovering from TAVI.

I told her my dad was 91, and that I had some worries. She said, “We're seeing 95-year-olds, 97-year-olds getting the procedure. It's not an age thing; it's about where are you going to be with or without it? What quality of life are you going to have?”

What happened to make Len’s situation urgent?

Mark Parry: He started to show signs of congestive heart failure. It came on pretty quickly; when it became acute, we went to emergency. Dad was admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit.

They did testing to see that he qualified for TAVI. There was fluid in his lungs from the heart failure. The team dried that up with medication to make sure he would be stable enough for the procedure. Then they did it.

How did the TAVI go?

Mark Parry: It was like a light switch going on. The transformation was remarkable. I have video of Dad “dancing” in his bed afterwards.

How was recovery different after TAVI vs. after open-heart surgery?

Mark Parry: The open-heart surgery was a very physical process compared to TAVI. To be honest, I think Dad has probably had a worse time in the dentist chair than he had with the TAVI procedure.

After his open-heart surgery in 2000, we noticed a striking personality change. The hospital had warned us this could happen temporarily after someone is on a heart-lung machine.

For example, he called me into his office in our family business in Thornhill, Ont. And he said, “You can have my office now. I think I'm going to back out of the business.” This was totally unlike him; my dad has always been a very strong character.

It was quite disturbing. But then, after four or five weeks, he snapped out of it. He went from docile and quiet to, “Show me the numbers!”

After the TAVI, we did not experience anything like that.

How is Len’s health today?

Len Parry: I’m feeling very good, thank you.

One of the things that’s good for someone like me is to have people with them. Our business is still based in my home, so I see Mark and his two brothers every day.

And my grandkids — I’ve got seven of them — they really keep me young! Last week we went to African Lion Safari. And before that it was Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto. I love to go out whenever I can get my family motivated.

What advice do you have for people caring for a family member with valve disease?

Mark Parry: You need to be proactive. I’m a big believer in benchmarking — making a note of health indicators such as normal blood pressure and oxygen levels (using a finger clip oxygen monitor).

I’m lucky I get to see my dad on a daily basis; not everyone has that opportunity. Benchmarking can really help you notice when something is off, and take action before it becomes acute.