I got my date for mitral walve repair or replacement, all depending what the surgeon finds.
After reading various posts I wonder how I can approach the question of what walve will be used. Read about Edwards inspires resilience walve. My operation is on the 11.11.20 and only had one telephone conversation with my surgeon back in May. Please help.
Hello and welcome to the forum,
The which valve to have is Something lots of members have been posting about. I had a tissue valve went with what my surgeon thought was best for me. Your age and life style is something you need to factor in. If you go for mechanical you will be on warfarin for life and all the things you will have to remember. Blood tests and watching what you eat.
I wish you well for your up coming surgery, it’s not as bad as our imagination makes out😊
Take good care Pauline
Hello and welcome to the forum! As said choice is really age and activity related. If around 40 - 45 you would be young enough to have a tissue valve and go mechanical in 10/15 years time. As people approach 60 I would always say mechanical as age related issues can increase the risks of further surgery and affect recovery. The real question is how do you feel about a second avoidable surgery down the road? Only you can make that call!
I’m mid 50s and went for a mechanical valve to try and prevent having another OHS. Having been through it once I am really glad that I did. I haven’t found taking warfarin and all that that entails to be a problem.
I was 49 and went with a mechanical valve. For me too, the thought of a second op was not something I wanted. I don't find the warfarin an issue and only go for a finger pick INR test every 8 weeks, it takes about 5 mins.
You must go with what you are most comfortable with. Best of luck.
Hi Uhrwerk, I agree with the other comments it depends on age and lifestyle. I am early 50’s and had OHS in July, mine was bicuspid, so I’m over 3 months post op now, I have a mechanical aortic valve, it was a no brainier for me, not wanting to go through the surgery again sooner rather than later, I chose the option that lasts the longest.
I’ve got used to taking the warfarin, I even got a Roche medical blood testing machine to test my own blood and I go to the hospital less this way, I’m in Malta so this might not be something you do in the U.K.
I set an alarm on my phone and I haven’t found the change to my diet too bad, I still have a glass of red wine, just not a bottle 😳 I will miss plates full of sprouts at Christmas, but hey it’s not the end of the world 🤷♀️
I’m feeling so well now that I find it hard to believe I’ve had such a big op 😊
Good luck Uhrwerk xx
If you go for a mechanical valve once your INR is fairly stable you maybe able to opt for home testing to avoid frequent trips to GP/hospital for an INR blood test. Quite a few forum members do this.
Good luck with your op please keep us posted. At at the beginning of a diagnosis x
Hi I was 67 when I had my Edwards aortic valve it's a bovine. Unfortunately I had no choice as it was an on the day emergency. I'm 72 now and have had no problems , I was in hospital for 6 days after the opp but I'm not looking forward to having it done again. So I think given the choice I would have gone for mechanical. Good luck
You need the professionals to advise. Especially as valve technology improves all the time. I had TWO consultants to advise me, but at the end of the day, I still wanted them to decide for me. Also, I was so unwell that a logical decision was beyond my ability.
The consultant/surgeon who does the op has to be the one to ask.
Something I didnt know: I had all the pre op tests, but it didnt show that I had a congenital defect. Surgeon only knew that after he started the op.
I was in a private hospital with a very decent, probably brilliant, surgeon, so all the choices were available.
Let the professionals do their thing.
Colin
By your screen name it rather ;looks as if you've already decided LOL.
(Sorry folks, Uhrwerk means clockwork in German)
Try to get as much info as you can. It is of course not an easy decision, Ask as many questions as you can. My husband had a mechanical aortic valve fitted and was not asked beforehand whether he wished to go tissue or mechanical route. One thing to note regarding mechanical valve is not just the lifetime INR testing and Warfarin that comes with it but also that a few people, my husband is one of them, find the thudding sensation and noise of the valve troublesome and difficult to get used to. Sorry not wishing to be negative just informative. Also I think from what I have read that is is very much a minority of people who find the noise/sensation of the valve a problem. I hope you can reach a decision you feel comfortable with and wish you well for your upcoming surgery.
Hi,
There has already been lots of sage advice with most people replying seeming to op for a mechanical with a common reason being not wanting to go through the op all over again. I thought I would mention that I am waiting to have a new valve, (op currently scheduled for the 13th Nov), but because I have already had a full bypass op, (CABG), the surgeon doesn't want to reopen my chest so I will have a TAVI by keyhole surgery with entry being between my ribs. This involves a hospital stay of only 3 days and a much faster recovery. Another route for a TAVI is through the groin. My point being that should the valve need to be replaced, you probably wouldn't need to go through the same lengthy proceedure again, even though it is the 'gold standard,' first time around so may be it maybe shouldn't be a deciding factor. Do phone discuss the matter with your surgeon.
post AVR appointment
Diet
Waiting time
Does small scar indicate an op without bypass
Worried 😯 about 2018 
