AVR and Root Surgery

[JannerJohn]

I require surgery to replace a stenotic Bicuspid Valve and to replace the root and ascending aorta due to aneurysm. I'm thinking of a mechanical On-X Valve what realistically is life expectancy after this procedure. The surgeon seemed very confident its for life (I'm 49) and a bit scared.

[Smarticus]

Hi, you might find this article useful: heartvalvechoice.com/tissue... There are lots of people on here (including me - late 40s) who have had this done and are living a "normal" life. Its really not that bad, the key thing is to look after yourself and take the necessary time to heal. HTH

[080311]

Hello JannerJohn

It’s a very scary place you have found yourself looking into, and you are very young to be having to face this. I was 20 years older than you when I had my Aortic valve replaced and bypass done that was 4 years ago and so far life is back on track.

I have a tissue valve went with what my surgeon thought was best for me. We have forum members who have had mechanical valves for well over 20 years with no problems but there are no guarantees in this life😩 with the old mechanical you will be on warfarin for life and sometimes it doesn’t suit your life style, I would always say listen to your surgeon.

When you get your date someone will talk you through the op just ask, it’s really not as scary as your imagination is making it. Follow all the instructions you are given from exercise to breathing and you will be ok.

Remember you are now a member of the Hearties family and if you need someone to talk to someone will listen, or even a shoulder to lean on we can do that as well. There are lots of us who have been where you are heading and have come out with a mended heart.

Best wishes Pauline

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear JJ Your life expectancy will, once you have the AVR, be many tens of years. The next critical problem might be a second AVR in, what, 20 or 30 years.

Advances in the valves are charging along.

I reckoned that the best person to suggest what valve , would be the guy who does your operation.

I was 73 and we decided on the tissue valve. I too was bicuspid. Operation done 2nd May this year, amidst the corona madness in central London.

All went well. By far the worst bit is the waiting and the anticipation. Once you get to the operating theatre its all recovery, recovery, recovery. I also found that once i got to the hospital it was all good.

Best wishes

Colin

[Hidden]

I went in to surgery expecting to have an AVR, Triple Bypass and LV repair. Turned out, on arrival at the hospital, my surgeon thought i was good for a Davids Procedure - which is where they KEEP your AV, rebuild and replace parts of the Ascending Aorta to fit the AV. Due to my age )57), we had a Mechanical Valve as a back up plan because i enoy long walks and cycling.

I discovered, during my recovery period, that surgeons seem to have their preferences as to what to recommend - and no two surgeons may agree on what is the best course. Listen to your surgeon, ask the questions, get them to validate their thinking.

I agreed a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C with my surgeon - don't regret my decision and nor would i have wished to have any one else perform my surgery - but then you will hear that from any one who has undergone open heart surgery and benifitted from it.

Your decision will be the right one for you. Good luck with your choice and your post surgery life.

[Shar28]

Hiya, my husband has his Aortic valve replaced with a Sorin mechanical valve 3 years ago at the age of 55 so he’s on Warfarin for life too. His surgeon said the Sorin valve has never had any problems and the chances are it’ll outlast my husband with a life expectancy of 30+ years. The Warfarin is ok too. There’s loads of information about it on the AF Association website. Here’s the link for their factsheets section, scroll down and there’s several on Warfarin

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

All the best to you and your loved ones.

[Hermanm]

Hi,Had the ON-X valve fitted for Christmas 2015,

best present I've ever had!

I'm 63 now , , so a bit older than you ,

but I'm confident I've got good few years left in me,

The regular warfarin check ups, aside,

and the odd clicking ,now and then ,

I can honestly say I never notice it,

(Apart from feeling a lot fitter,)

Had my MRI scan a few months ago ,consultant was very happy,

doesn't want to see me for another 5 years!

Look at it this way,

the valve is guaranteed for at least 40 years,

What's going to wear out first!

First couple of months after the OP are the worst ,

but I was back to work after 3 months , (landscape gardener),

Dont worry mate ,

you cant be in better hands,

God bless the NHS,

All the best,

[Templar889]

Hi John. I am due to have same surgery this Friday. I am 56 and have opted for a biological valve for lifestyle. My research shows life expectancy to be nearly same as those without valve replacement. Hope all goes well for you.

[Atora]

Hi John,I had an Inspiris Resilia AVR and root replacement in May 2019 aged 49 and chose this valve type to suit my lifestyle.

[swingyourpants]

Hello mate,I was in the same situation as you at the beginning of 2020. I was 54 then and knew nothing of my condition until I passed out in the street ( I was at the Gym the day before! ). Saw the Doc the next day and she found a Heart Murmur. It tuned out to be very severe Aortic Stenosis. I've never been in hospital before so I totally crapped myself!

I had the Op (minimal invasive procedure) at the Royal Brompton London in March (just before the Lockdown). To be honest it wasn't as bad as I thought. The staff were brilliant and I was well looked after. Yes it hurts like F but its gets better day by day.

Re your choice of Valve. Choose carefully. The Mech ones should last a lifetime but you will be on blood thinning drugs for the rest of your life plus you could tick.

I went for the Inspiris Resilia Tissue valve. No ongoing meds and should last 20-30 years before needing a Service. When the time comes its a non invasive procedure to replace. A no brainer for me.

Good luck

[Zindolo]

I had a calcified bicuspid aortic valve that they replaced on Election Day, November 3rd. (I'm 57, in Texas.) I had some problems with fluid retention and arrhythmia and they kept me in the hospital for 10 nights, so that was sort of a nightmare. But that's probably just me; as far as the actual surgery goes, I thought my chest was going to hurt MUCH more than it actually ever did. The only time I ever experienced any pain really was when I was weaning myself off the pain meds several weeks ago, and even that was pretty bearable. Overall, it's probably not going to be as bad as you are imagining it will be, especially if you don't have the sort of complications that I experienced, and you probably won't.

[Zindolo]

P.S. My sternum was only cut halfway down; hopefully you can get a procedure where they don't have to cut it all the way thru.

[mummywoo1978]

My 15 year old son had this procedure and the same valve fitted in July 2019. We were told that this was one of the best valves and had hopefully a lifelong expectancy. Also with this valve the warfarin inr range is lower than other valves so a bit easier to manage too.