aortic valve surgery

[medinaspahiu]

Dear all,

I am 23 years old. Soon I will have an aortic valve surgery replacement.
I consult with a lot of doctors, but nor can tell me the same words.

I know for surgery, for mechanical and biological replacement.
But what I dont know is what after surgery??
Should I have choise the mechanical or biological valve??
Mechanical valve is more durable but have to take a medicament after.
The biological valve is natural but less durable.
If I choice biological valve I should have a second surgery after 10-15 years. The second surgery is more risk able???

Thank you for your time.

Regards,

[PertlyPink]

I have a mechanical valve that was put in March 4, 2010.  I am 56 years old.  My surgeon was forthright in telling both options and that at my age this is the one recommended.  I also had an aneurysm repaired at the same time.  March 12 I had a pacemaker put in.  I have never felt better in my life!  Before the surgery I was told I had about 2 years to live, and now I have a normal lifespan predicted.  

I now have a meter in my home so I can test my PT/INR weekly.  The numbers are then faxed via phone to my doctor.  The testing is about the same as you do for diabetes.  My insurance paid for this because I have to do it the rest of my life.  I am thankful to be able to do my own rather than going to the doctor every week or two.

Good luck and make your choice depending on how YOU feel and the information in front of you.  :)

[wineandroses]

I am so glad I read this post.  I was told eventually I will need a aortic valve replacement and I had no idean there is a choice of biological or mechanical.  I am also so glad to hear  of such success stories.  Thank you.

[BlackBear45]

I have been living with a mechanical aortic valve for 35 years “without” a single problem with coumadin control.  Protime gets checked monthly.  It depends greatly on adjusting your diet especially as it concerns foods containing vitamin K. At your young age, if given a choice, go with the mechanical valve.  The natural valves tend to calcify and need replacement after 10-15 years.  My valve was replaced when I was 30.

[emmy884]

Hello there!!  I had aortic valve replacement surgery ten months ago.  I chose the mechanical because I am not sure I would do the surgery again.  I am 53, and had endocarditis.  I have to take coumadin everyday for the rest of my life and have the level tested regularly.  But to me, the possibility of complications from coumadin greatly outweighed the risk of another surgery as I get older.  You are very young, so your concerns may be different.  For people who are vigorously physically active, the biological valve is often the better choice.  You can be very active with the mechanical  valve but you can't scuba dive!  With strides in heart surgery, many folks with the biological valve hope for big improvements and non-invasive procedures that may be here before they need the valve replaced again, and I do think those possibilities are on the horizon.  I am happy with the choice I made to have the mechanical, but it is such a personal decision, good luck to you!!