Which valve have I been fitted with?

[Tickertalker]

I was fitted with a mechanical valve three years ago. Just before my surgery, I had a chat with the anaesthetist. I requested that, if possible, they use an On-X valve as they work with a lower INR. After the surgery, he came to see me again to tell me that the surgery had gone well (Boy, did he get that one wrong.) and mentioned in passing that they had been unable to use an On-X but had fitted something equally good. I was too groggy at the time to ask for more details. A few days later, I was given a card that informed me that my new valve was, indeed, an On-X and my hospital notes confirm this. So, who do I believe, the man who was there at the time or the person who wrote up my report later? At the moment this makes no difference to my Warfarin dose but in the US and many other countries they allow a lower INR on the On-X and I assume the UK will play catch up at some point. Short of opening me up and having a look, is there any way of getting a definitive answer?

[Prada47]

Hello

I would bet 100% that they have fitted what they said they have !! Just check with the Surgeon notes and I think you GP will have a copy of the notes. I know for stents the Cardiologist always writes what he has fitted, size etc. If the valve is working fine I wouldn't bother about the model used. That's only my opinion.

Regards

ps Everything taken into theatre is checked in and checked out so they know what has been used from stock, and order replacement .