Life Expectancy after aortic valve replacememt

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I don't really think life expectancy after AVR or MVR or both really matters a jot provided it is greater than life expectancy without the surgery in those who need to have it. On that same site it said most would be dead in a few years if they didn't have the surgery; so anything beyond that is a bonus so why worry? Having the surgery isn't shortening your life, not having the surgery will for sure. I would have been dead by now without my surgery so I am really not bothered too much if I will no longer live to be 83.
 
whew, I guess I got lucky they only fixed mine back in 1959, I would have been dead decades ago! Then maybe I am a zombie, I am not sure.
Of course my first operation was performed before there was such a thing as a replacement valve.
 
It's articles like that which scare the pants off of 'newbies'.
This forum is where you will find the real stats, and real people to back them up.
Now I have to go to the basement with some others.
Rich
 
The comments and stats about being on "blood thinners" sound like something from the pre-INR testing days (before 1990) when there was high variability in the reagents used for testing Prothrombin Time and many patients were probably still gauging their dose by the color of their urine (i.e. if it contained blood or not).

'AL Capshaw'
 
I'm glad that this thread was posted, and for everyone's response. I was worrying about this myself...wondering how long I'll live after I get an AVR, and how much worse the statistics are if you get an ascending aortic aneurysm repair at the same time. Trying not to worry...but you know how it is. Glad to hear there are some long-timers out there!

Does anyone know if it's true that those with tissue valves tend to live longer than those with artificial valves? Not trying to start a tissue vs. artificial debate. I'm just wondering. I'm having an awful time trying to decide which to go with when the time comes.

My perinatologist told me the last time that if I planned on having more babies, I should look into a homograft, because I'd have to take the blood thinners with an artificial valve, and coumadin shouldn't be taken by pregnant women (and pregnant women are already more prone to clotting). But I know that tissue valves don't last as long, and in some cases (especially for young women) the tissue valves can fail in a year or two. Perhaps tissue valves, even though they require more frequent placement, put less strain on the body? Just wondering if anyone knew if that part of the study was true or not.

Thanks again for all the info...I was wondering if I'd end up dying five years after an AVR or something! lol
 
Life expectancy has too many variables and I don't think that one valve would be different than the others. Used to be if you were fairly young, doctors said go with the mechanical because they last longer, meaning fewer surgeries down the road. Now, the new tissue valves are predicted to last quite a while too. It's really a personal preference. However, if you plan on having more children, I would recommend a tissue valve. It can be done with a mechanical, but there are more risks and precautions.

I admire your energy to raise a bundle of kids! My two are 15 and 17 and I don't think I've gotten enough rest since the first one was born!
 
I know this article has already been debunked but I just wanted to add this little tidbit -
Tissue Valve

* For a 25-year-old, the average life expectancy was 27 years.

The above statement is completely ridiculous, are there really enough people out there with tissue valves that lasted 27 years? If so my surgeon and all the others need to revise this 15 to 20 year longevity for the current valves. Maybe he neglected to add they had multiple surgeries? Don't forget most of the life expectancies he listed would give you longer then the current average life expectancy.

This guy is overwhelmed by his own self importance.
 
Life Expectancy after aortic valve replacement.

Life Expectancy after aortic valve replacement.

Hello again and thanks for the encouragement. However, this guy is driving me crazy. Please also read:
http://heart.emedtv.com/aortic-valve-replacement/aortic-valve-replacement-complications.html
According to this article there are so many possible complications that It seems that someone has to be very lucky to escape from all these.
Anyway, I will follow all the replies received but mostly I will do what Russell55advised: Scr.... the complete article.
Cheers,
Petros
 
Re tish tosh and bull excrement, broadly in line with those, may I share a much used crude northern English term of ridicule. Bollocks.

From the English to American dictionary:- bollocks n testicles. The word is in pretty common use in the U.K. and works well as a general “surprise” expletive in a similar way to “bugger.” The phrase “the dog’s bollocks” is used to describe something particularly good (yes, good) — something like: See that car — it’s the dog’s bollocks, so it is.” This in turn gives way to copy-cat phrases such as “the pooch’s privates” or “the mutt’s nuts,” which all generally mean the same thing. Brits also describe a big telling-off as a “bollocking,” and also use the word to mean “rubbish”: Well, that’s a load of bollocks. Some additional U.S./U.K. confusion is added by the fact that the words “bollix” and “bollixed” are sometimes used in the U.S. to describe something thrown into confusion or destroyed.

Petros, IMHO the linked article is utter bollocks. It does not distinguish between valve life expectancy and life expectancy. Just because a valve may only last 20 years does not mean the recipient only lasts 20 years. A redo operation would give another 20 years. As the mortality statistics on a second operation are within a fraction of a first operation why should we worry?
 
Re tish tosh and bull excrement, broadly in line with those, may I share a much used crude northern English term of ridicule. Bollocks.

From the English to American dictionary:- bollocks n testicles. The word is in pretty common use in the U.K. and works well as a general “surprise” expletive in a similar way to “bugger.” The phrase “the dog’s bollocks” is used to describe something particularly good (yes, good) — something like: See that car — it’s the dog’s bollocks, so it is.” This in turn gives way to copy-cat phrases such as “the pooch’s privates” or “the mutt’s nuts,” which all generally mean the same thing. Brits also describe a big telling-off as a “bollocking,” and also use the word to mean “rubbish”: Well, that’s a load of bollocks. Some additional U.S./U.K. confusion is added by the fact that the words “bollix” and “bollixed” are sometimes used in the U.S. to describe something thrown into confusion or destroyed.

Bonzo, thank for the info. I was really wondering what "tish tosh" means? Do you also know what "LOL-LOL means? I understand that this is not be the right time to do the corresponding from Greek to English & American translation, etc.
 
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Bonzo, thank for the info. I was really wondering what "tish tosh" means? Do you also know what "LOL-LOL means? I understand that this is not be the right time to do the corresponding from Greek to English & American translation, etc.

Petros, LOL = laughing out loud

This is a link to text/internet slang and abreviations http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci211776,00.html

Ones I regularly use are, TBH = to be honest; and IMHO = in my honest opinion; one of my favourites is SWMBO = she who must be obeyed = the wife ;) :D
 
Hello again and thanks for the encouragement. However, this guy is driving me crazy. Please also read:
http://heart.emedtv.com/aortic-valve-replacement/aortic-valve-replacement-complications.html
According to this article there are so many possible complications that It seems that someone has to be very lucky to escape from all these.
Anyway, I will follow all the replies received but mostly I will do what Russell55advised: Scr.... the complete article.
Cheers,
Petros

Petros the likelihood is very small, but those are very real possibilites and is one people should consider before surgery. I get yelled at all the time for posting about the same thing and get accused of scaring people, but it's the truth. Would you rather be lied to? I'm pulling this number out of the air based on peoples experiences here, but I'd say there is a 97 to 98% chance of none of these occuring and a 2 or 3% chance that one or more will occur. Unfortunately, I am in the 2-3% category.

Nausea and vomiting
Infections at the site of the IVs, wires, or tubes
Minor bleeding or bruising
Abnormal or painful scar formation
Allergic skin reaction
Skin numbness
Atrial fibrillation.

Infection
Bleeding
Heart attack
Stroke
Valve replacement failure
Loss of life.

Other possible major complications of aortic valve replacement include (but are not limited to):

Heart or lung problems, including:
o Irregular heart rhythms
o Temporary or permanent damage to your heart's electrical system
o Pneumonia
o Lung or heart failure
o Rupture of the heart wall.
Kidney failure
Allergic reaction to medication
Nerve or organ damage
Transmission of disease from blood products
Other rare and unlikely events.
 
Petros the likelihood is very small, but those are very real possibilites and is one people should consider before surgery. I get yelled at all the time for posting about the same thing and get accused of scaring people, but it's the truth. Would you rather be lied to? I'm pulling this number out of the air based on peoples experiences here, but I'd say there is a 97 to 98% chance of none of these occuring and a 2 or 3% chance that one or more will occur. Unfortunately, I am in the 2-3% category.

Nausea and vomiting
Infections at the site of the IVs, wires, or tubes
Minor bleeding or bruising
Abnormal or painful scar formation
Allergic skin reaction
Skin numbness
Atrial fibrillation.

Infection
Bleeding
Heart attack
Stroke
Valve replacement failure
Loss of life.

Other possible major complications of aortic valve replacement include (but are not limited to):

Heart or lung problems, including:
o Irregular heart rhythms
o Temporary or permanent damage to your heart's electrical system
o Pneumonia
o Lung or heart failure
o Rupture of the heart wall.
Kidney failure
Allergic reaction to medication
Nerve or organ damage
Transmission of disease from blood products
Other rare and unlikely events.


<< engages 'Gallows Humour' mode>> Ross, just to further cheer folk up, you missed a few more from page 2.

# A blood transfusion
# A longer hospital stay
# Temporary or permanent placement of a pacemaker
# Dialysis
# Repeat surgery.


Despite this we all must continue to look on the bright side.
 
Hello again and thanks for the encouragement. However, this guy is driving me crazy. Please also read:
http://heart.emedtv.com/aortic-valve-replacement/aortic-valve-replacement-complications.html
According to this article there are so many possible complications that It seems that someone has to be very lucky to escape from all these.
Anyway, I will follow all the replies received but mostly I will do what Russell55advised: Scr.... the complete article.
Cheers,
Petros

Petros

If you have ever had even any minor surgery, or have ever been on any medication there is a long list very similar to that. The doctors group that I work for have an extremely long list, extremely similar to the one you have pointed out to us. They have the exact same list for procedures as small as an ingrown toenail to as large as major surgery. All surgeries come with their share of complications at some point, for somebody, but that is more rare than you think. You can drive yourself crazy thinking about the what-ifs but what about if you dont have the surgery? Unfortunately, much like the other article you brought to us, this one does not point out the statistics of these type of complications happening but you have to go with the risk vs. benifit ratio in any procedure you have done and any medication you take that can cause side effects.

Diana
 
Petros

If you have ever had even any minor surgery, or have ever been on any medication there is a long list very similar to that. The doctors group that I work for have an extremely long list, extremely similar to the one you have pointed out to us. They have the exact same list for procedures as small as an ingrown toenail to as large as major surgery. All surgeries come with their share of complications at some point, for somebody, but that is more rare than you think. You can drive yourself crazy thinking about the what-ifs but what about if you dont have the surgery? Unfortunately, much like the other article you brought to us, this one does not point out the statistics of these type of complications happening but you have to go with the risk vs. benifit ratio in any procedure you have done and any medication you take that can cause side effects.

Diana

Precisely. Even though there is miniscule chance of the worst thing happening, losing your life, your guaranteed to lose your life if you do nothing.
 
Hello again and thanks for the encouragement. However, this guy is driving me crazy. Please also read:
http://heart.emedtv.com/aortic-valve-replacement/aortic-valve-replacement-complications.html
According to this article there are so many possible complications that It seems that someone has to be very lucky to escape from all these.
Anyway, I will follow all the replies received but mostly I will do what Russell55advised: Scr.... the complete article.
Cheers,
Petros


There is a risk of complications from ANY surgery -- not just valve replacement surgery. In my experience anyway, doctors are required to run down the list of every possible bad result and get your informed consent to the surgery beforehand. The risk of loss of life is way down in the low single-digits. On the other hand, the risk if you say no to VR surgery that tests show is clearly needed is 100 percent.

I have never seen the litany of complications made particular to one kind of surgery and sensationalized in such a manner. My suggestion is that you leave that website alone and turn to other sources of information. You might Google the Cleveland Clinic, the No. 1 heart facility in the U.S. There is much good information there.
 
Life Expectancy after aortic valve replacement.

Life Expectancy after aortic valve replacement.

I totally agree with all of you.
In my country we say that "life is sweet". Thanks to God we are all lucky and fortunate enough to be alive, talking and making friends from such a long distance. I now feel that I belong to the most brave team of people in the world!
It is really nice for me to be able to meet all of you people and really thank you for your encouragement.
 
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