[Joan]

Don needs to have his aortic valve replaced. His Hemo,who is also his primary doc and has known him for 20 years, says MDS is not a counter-indication for surgery. At that time we were discussing a trans aortic valve replacement (TAVR) rather than open heart. Doc pointed out Don had major surgery (lower bowel obstruction) this spring and came through without complications. Surgeon also said at the time MDS wasn't a concern for surgery.

Now it looks as though it will be open heart but we won't know for a couple of more weeks when surgeon sees him. My question, has any one had open heart surgery for valve replacement who also had MDS and how did it go?

Only Don's rbc are affected with MDS. Only treatment is Aranesp shots but he has needed 7 units of blood this year. Hadn't needed a transfusion since 2007 until 2012 rolled around.

Thanks for your input.