General News & Information for King Harald V and Queen Sonja: 2006 -

[Prinsara]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Thank you for that information. At any age heart surgery is very serious. I hope Harald will come through ok.

I think and hope so as well, but Harald has not looked good for some time because he needs to have this done. My earnest wish is that this lets him regain some health and vigor.

I'm sure they would not be sending Haakon to Trondheim if the prognosis was anything other than good. Harald is tough, and has a lot of love, and excellent doctors. Again I think, and I hope, he'll be okay after this.

[Lady Daly]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

Actually, not at all. This is to replace (not repair) Harald's valve that was already replaced in 2005. I'm not certain they were even able to do this in 1993. They also specified it's not open-heart, which is very, very good. It's done with local anesthesia (and he's going to be awake ...which someone with more medical knowledge will have to explain). And he doesn't have to go anywhere because of politics.

Leve Kongen.

The surgery is called a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace King Harald's existing biological tissue valve that isn't working well anymore. The concept of minimally invasive heart surgery began around 2002 but has taken a number of years to perfect to replace open heart surgical procedures. I attended a "Trends in Cardiovascular Surgery" symposium in 2004 regarding minimally invasive heart surgery including robotics using lateral approach and what is now the TAVR approach replacing the aortic valve, considered "cutting edge" medicine at the time.

The Mayo Clinic has an excellent website explaining the procedure. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-pro...t/pac-20384698

Best wishes to King Harald and to a full and speedy recovery.

[Prinsara]

Originally Posted by Lady Daly

The surgery is called a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace King Harald's existing biological tissue valve that isn't working well anymore. The concept of minimally invasive heart surgery began around 2002 but has taken a number of years to perfect to replace open heart surgical procedures. I attended a "Trends in Cardiovascular Surgery" symposium in 2004 regarding minimally invasive heart surgery including robotics using lateral approach and what is now the TAVR approach replacing the aortic valve, considered "cutting edge" medicine at the time.

The Mayo Clinic has an excellent website explaining the procedure. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-pro...t/pac-20384698

Best wishes to King Harald and to a full and speedy recovery.

-I think I see how they put the new valve in, but I'm confused what happens with the old one. Does the bio-valve integrate into your heart?
-Is there a reason why you're awake, other than it's better not to have a general if you don't need it?
-Wouldn't this be the sort of thing that puts you on anti-rejection drugs?

[Prisma]

Wishing King Harald a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

-I think I see how they put the new valve in, but I'm confused what happens with the old one. Does the bio-valve integrate into your heart?
-Is there a reason why you're awake, other than it's better not to have a general if you don't need it?
-Wouldn't this be the sort of thing that puts you on anti-rejection drugs?

Hopefully this gives you an idea.

What is a TAVR? (Also called TAVI)
During this minimally invasive procedure a new valve is inserted without removing the old, damaged valve. The new valve is placed inside the diseased valve. The surgery may be called a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Valve-within-valve — How does it work?
Somewhat similar to placing a stent in an artery, the TAVR approach delivers a fully collapsible replacement valve to the valve site through a catheter.
Once the new valve is expanded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out of the way and the tissue in the replacement valve takes over the job of regulating blood flow.

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topi...s/what-is-tavr


And no, while a patient does take medication following the procedure, anti-rejection drugs are not part of it. The valves treated before inserting, so they don't require the same anti-rejection medication that you would need with a transplant.



Hoping a good procedure and a swift recovery for the king.

[Lady Daly]

Originally Posted by Prinsara

-I think I see how they put the new valve in, but I'm confused what happens with the old one. Does the bio-valve integrate into your heart?
-Is there a reason why you're awake, other than it's better not to have a general if you don't need it?
-Wouldn't this be the sort of thing that puts you on anti-rejection drugs?

In regard to general anesthesia vs sedation. Even though they say awake a short acting dose related sedative is given so the patient is essentially sleeping but once the sedation has been withdrawn the patient wakes up usually within several minutes. General anesthesia for this procedure is not contraindicated but yes, it adds further risks; intubation and the drugs used for anesthesia can stay in the system much longer therefore requiring a longer recovery time.

[principessa]

I wish him all the best!

King Harald reminds me on my late father. Everytime I see Harald I think my father is here.

[CyrilVladisla]

Wishing King Harald the best of health.

[Princess_Eleanor]

The King's surgery this morning was successful and his condition is good, the Royal Court has announced.

That's a relief. I hope he will continue to improve and have fewer troubles with his health than he did before the surgery.

[Blog Real]

BREAKING:

King Harald underwent heart valve surgery today at Rikshospitalet. The operation was successful and the King's conditions are good.

https://www.kongehuset.no/artikkel.h...414&sek=112472

[Lady Daly]

Excellent news to hear King Harald's valve replacement went well. The court web page shared a good amount of detail regarding his surgical procedure. I see they inserted a temporary pacemaker, routinely placed as a precautionary to any potential heart rate or rhythm problems during or right after surgery. They mention he was awake yet most likely an infusion of short acting sedation was available and in use for comfort. Best wishes to King Harald. I hope we see him out and about in the near future.

[SLV]

Good to hear it went well. I hope he recovers soon.

[polyesco]

The Queen and Haakon have visited the king at the Hospital
https://mobile.twitter.com/OAanmoen/...65217506951168

[Prinsara]

Originally Posted by Princess_Eleanor

The King's surgery this morning was successful and his condition is good, the Royal Court has announced.

That's a relief. I hope he will continue to improve and have fewer troubles with his health than he did before the surgery.

Yay! Feel better soon, Your Majesty.

[Prinsara]

"He said a lot of funny things like he always does": https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/no...urgery-150722/

[REAL COUNTESS]

The surgery was a success great news. Now I am hoping for a speedy recovery. Get well soon Your Majesty.

[HereditaryPrincess]

I'm glad the operation Harald had was successful. I wish him a speedy recovery - nice to know he has not lost his sense of humour!

[Countessmeout]

Relieved to hear the surgery went well and he is in good spirits.

Any surgery at his age is a concern. Wishing him a speedy recovery .

[iceflower]

King Harald is back home, he was discharged from Rikshospitalet today, October 12, and will remain on sick leave for the rest of October.

The King is in good shape and is returning home from Rikshospitalet today, says the King's doctor, Chief Physician Bjørn Bendz at the Cardiovascular and Lung Clinic at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet

** original press release kongehuset.no **

[eya]

"King Harald photographed today as he leaves the hospital after his operation on Friday. The king walked into the car without help and looks quite healthy. He is now transported to "Kongsseteren" where he will stay for the next few weeks."


https://twitter.com/OAanmoen/status/...285185/photo/1