Biological heart valves

One major advantage of this forum is that you get facts 'from the horses mouth' rather than opinions from members of the medical community.

I would be interested to hear from anyone that had a biological AVR more than ten years ago and still has the original valve.

Mike

[flamepoint]

My partner has a pigs valve which worked well for nearly 15 years with good quality of life.Last November the cardiologist said it was deteriorating and after many appointments and tests he is due to have it replaced(hopefully no cancellations) a week on wednesday. He has requested another tissue valve as he has rheumatoid arthritis and doesnt want warfarin & hopes that when this one needs replacing he will be able to have a TAVI. The surgeon is happy with his decision and said he will endeavour to put in a tissue one. It has been also found he needs a double by pass. Stents could have been put in but as OHS taking place bypass is preferable. He is 58. It may be worth searching the internet for any advice on diet and supplements thar may slow down calcification of replacement valves and arteries. So much on the internet but you do have to be careful as some of it is much more doom and gloom than what actually is the case.

[Hidden in reply to flamepoint]

Many thanks for your very informative reply. I have just had my AVR so was very interested in hearing from someone that has had a tissue valve for more than 10 years. I am 74 so if I live long enough I will be in my mid eighties by the time it may need replacing. I have read that patients in their eighties can also have a TAVI which is re-assuring as this is a much less invasive procedure than AVR which I am sure your partner is aware of.

I hope his operation goes ahead as planned and wish him well. Let me know how he gets on as I know it is a relief once you have finally had the op.

Kind regards, Mike.

[flamepoint in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for you best wishes. My partners cardiologists suggest that tissue valves do not wear out so quickly in older patients as opposed to young ones and more and more TAVI procedures are being carried out. In fact from what I see on the internet it is now becoming the first choice in some countries. The pre op nurse told us that there will be many more advances within the next ten years so fingers crossed !

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to flamepoint]

Many thanks for that info, it is really appreciated.

Regards, Mike

[Zabrallo in reply to flamepoint]

I had a tissue valve fitted in February last year and recently echo showed "early signs of degeneration". Cardiologist said that it looks like my immune system quite aggressively eroding it (I am 35) and it will need to be replaced asap..

[Hidden in reply to Zabrallo]

Your experience is very interesting. Was it your aortic valve that was replaced and did they use conventional AVR or TAVI? I have every sympathy with the situation you find yourself in. Has your cardiologist commented on which technique they would use? I also wonder if they may suggest an artificial valve which would not be subject to your immune system.

Regards, Mike.

[Zabrallo in reply to Hidden]

It was an open hear surgery AVR with new generation Edwards Resilia Inspiris valve which ment to have longer lifespan than previous models. At this stage I am not sure what is going to happen next, waiting for more tests to be done in the next couple of months to see exactly how quickly it deteorating but it is already not opening very well and causing severe stenosis.

I definitely would like to have mechanical valve fitted next time even if TAVI is an option (my aortic valve diameter is 25mm which means that at least one valve in valve replacement procedure can be done). However, my thinking is what is the point of having tissue valve again if my immune is dissolving them at such rate? But I think final say is up to a surgeon anyway..

[Nic25 in reply to Zabrallo]

Wow Zabrello. Jeez. Really sorry to hear that. Really bad luck and bad news for you. I also had an Edwards Inspiris put in, in December in my case, so what you say is obviously worrying, given the intention was that this would last hopefully for many years! Hope things get sorted out for you asap and that TAVI is an option. But good luck and keep us posted how you're doing. Nic x