Heart Valve Replacement Surgery options

[Cowboy72]

I am 48 and have a bicuspid aortic valve that I have known about for 6 years, the time has come for it to be replaced. I am healthy and active with no other medical conditions. I know of 2 other people who have had the valve replacement surgery and they elected for the tissue valve as they didnt want to be on warfarin. Some of my research showed that the mortality rates on warfarin were the same as tissue valves so the longevity of the mechanical valve wasnt necessarily the whole story. I have read many of the posts on the forum and see both sides have had good outcomes for both mechanical and tissue valves and there is always the option of the TAVR valve in the future. is a tissue valve wore out or calcified. There is also the benefit of home testing for warfarin so control of that should be easier to maintain a stable levels. My question is really is there anyone who chose one side or the other that in hindsight now wishes they had gone a different path? Everyone tends to say thier decision was correct and I respect that, I'm more looking for what went wrong that would make you change you mind if you had to do it again?

[werd]

The choice ia entirely up to you. There are ups and downs to both options i hadthe metal valve when I was 26 I am now 72 then the main concern was your alcohol consumption when you were taking warfarin. I use my own machine for testing. A friend at the same time had a pigs valve he did not get the option due to his alcohol intake. He died after about 8 years. I also remember the surgeon saying what I was about to go through was the equivalent of a major car crash. So that once in a lifetime is enough. So beguided by your surgeon

Yours drew

[Cowboy72 in reply to werd]

Drew, thats great going 46 years on any valve is good going, thank you for sharing your experiences. in the end im gonna opt for a tissue valve. The op is in 6 weeks.

[verysmallnosies in reply to Cowboy72]

Cowboy72, how did you decide? I've a similar op - mine is in September. I'm 49. I'd love to hear your thought process. I'm leaning toward tissue valve also but have moments of 'Am I crazy?!?!?!'

[sim21 in reply to werd]

do you need to keep alcohol consumption very low?

[HarryBell]

I believe there is a new long life tissue valve available from Edwards. It is treated so that it does not calcify early, if I remember correctly the estimated life of the valve is around 30 years, the mechanical ones are generally very reliable though, all the best Ron

[verysmallnosies in reply to HarryBell]

HarryBell, which Edwards valve is it? Can you give us the name?

[verysmallnosies in reply to HarryBell]

Also, where did you read up on it? I've looked up the Inspiris Resilia (if that's what you mean) - I guess for legal reasons they don't have a number of years written on the website. Where'd you get your info? Thank you if you can help.

[080311]

Hello Cowboy 72

I had a tissue valve nearly 4 years ago along with a bypass, when we are having the conversation with our surgeon I think we have to take on board what he/she thinks would be the best option for us. That is what I did I was a lot older than you 68 when it was done.

I have had no problem so far😊 and every time I have my yearly echo I have my fingers crossed that the pressure is ok.

As all of us on the forum that need this to fix our heart issues we weigh up what will be the best option for us.

Wishing you lots of luck Pauline