Aortic Valve Replacement and Fever

[2muchfun]

Hi, is fever after aortic valve replacement normal? I've run a fever for many days now and have controlled it with Tylenol, but its worrisome.

[2muchfun]

Everyone,

Thank you for your inputs, very much appreciated :)

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I had a fever and 8/10 pain appr. 14 days post-op and eventually after consult with Surgeon they did blood tests and I was back in Hospital and on a IV antibiotic.

Fever post-op should not be ignored and check your heart rate and blood pressure also.  High HR and low BP can indicate infection.

[skydnsr]

BAV, and the first attempt at a VR and aneurysm repair was not competently done.

[2muchfun]

Thanks Sky,

I saw that too. I'm just managing at the moment, it's manageable with Tylenol. It is becoming more sparse over time.

You've had two AVRs? Can I ask your situation? They thought I had BAV, but turns out I had a perfect hole in one of my leaflets, probably congenital as well.

Nate

[skydnsr]

I didn't have a fever after either AVR that I have had.  After I responded to your post, I did a little googling and saw that there is something called Dressler's syndrome that can occur after heart surgery.  It can cause fever secondary to inflammation within the chest.  It seems fairly common and, as you say, not anything that the doctors get real excited about.  I didn't look at the information in detail.  You can probably get some idea what to expect by googling "fever after heart surgery" or Dressler's syndrome.  If it's been several days already, maybe the fever will break soon.  Good luck with your recovery.

[2muchfun]

Thanks Sky,

I did inform them and they are not concerned so much. Unless it changes, etc. I was just asking if someone else ever experienced it how long it lasted for them?

[skydnsr]

I would call the doctor.  If it's gone on for days, I would call during office hours and not use the emergency call procedure, but I would definitely want the doctor to know about it.  I would call the surgeon's office, if you are still under his care, and your cardiologist or PCP's office otherwise.  It may be a big deal, or it may not, but better safe than sorry.