Recent content by starfish11040

I believe it is being done for stenosis. What about regurgitation. If not, is it expected that this procedure will be used for regurgitation in the near future?

I will probably need avr at some time in the future, maybe very near future. My cardio recommends mechanical and I have decided that it will be on-x. Can anyone recommend a surgeon in the NYC area who is experienced in using this valve, or a contact at the on-x manufacturer who will be able to...

Does anyone know if the percutaneous approach applies only to aortic valves with stenosis, or also regurgitation?

Do we know if this procedure, percutaneous I believe it is called, can just be used to replace the native valve, or is it hoped that it will also replace an animal valve?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20stemcell.html?_r=1 Are they working on this technique toward growing heart valves?

I'm in a bit of a quandary. My cardiologist told me not to take the prophylactic antibiotic. My dentist has always been a stickler about, always confirming with me that I took the antibiotic before any dental work, even minor. So i called him to notify him what my cardiologist said. His...

katie, The surgeons told your mother to expect 30+ years from the bovine valve. Yet the surgeon went in thinking he would use mechanical valves. Why would he even have considered using a mech valve if he has a tissue valve that will last over 30 years? It doesn't make total sense. I must be...

I think you should relax. You have plenty of time. I was diagnosed with "moderate - severe" aortic insufficiency. Well, it stayed like that for a full ten years when it became "severe". That was two years ago. I went from an annual echo to every six months. I'm still in the waiting room, have no...

It's an FDA approved clinical trial. It will either be proven to the standard required by the FDA or it won't. Don't know what "overwhelming evidence" means.

Eddie, you don't have to be an expert in the field to know that there is no approved mechanical valve which does not require anti-coagulation. And the "company study", as you pointed out, is an FDA-approved extensive clinical trial. Bad Mad, this doctor's statements are so factually inaccurate I...

Thanks Al for clarifying. So it appears that the German trial did not take the possibility of aspirin-only off the table. In fact it supports the possibility. A positive outcome to the current trial would make the process of valve selection very simple for many people. Let's hope.

Surprised and disappointed to see the 2015 completion date. But I have the feeling that if, as the trial progresses, there is strong evidence supporting the On-X on low or no warfarin the news will be out long before 2015.

AL, From what I've read, On-x is the superior valve for the reasons that you stated. There is also a future possibility that it may be determined that on-x requires less or no coumidin. In light of this why do you think these surgeons are refusing to use it? Is it that they don't feel...

Dr. Emory says: "The On-X valve has an unusual shape that makes it difficult to seat properly. The studies that On-X cites about not needing warfarin were mostly among very young people who are less likely to clot." I assume MCRI could produce surgeons experienced with implanting On-x valves...

Karlynn, I don't want to get into a debate, but I can't let that statement go unchallenged. The GREAT PREPONDERANCE of scientific opinion holds that the most promise lies in the stem cell type that is the most malleable and the one that that is believed to have the most potential to be coaxed...