Recent content by Bob in Colorado

None here. Two OHSs about 10 years apart. It’s been almost 20 years since the first one. I did the crossword this morning in 8 1/2 minutes... Shorter pump time is a plus I know and both of my operations were done with less than an hour of pump time. Best to you!

Hi there. I was interested to see this post. Why is it that you can not sell the strips? I use these, and am aware of the recall / correction but I think these are fine for me. How can we best arrange an exchange?

Many of us have been there Many of us have been there My first surgery was a tissue valve and it lasted 6 years working well and another 3 declining. My first surgery was a minimally invasive procedure. My second surgery, 4 years ago was much more complex and involved a full incision and...

Hi Carol. I think your surgeon is giving you a very good recommendation. I've had both tissue and mechanical valves. Note that even tissue valvers may sometimes have to take Coumadin. As for me, like others have said, I eat what I want and adjust my doses to match. I self test at home and...

Like Guy, I initially had a tissue valve and for me it lasted only 6 years before it started to deteriorate and I held out until 9 years before my second OHS. I'm now three years with a mechanical valve. I like it a lot and expect it to outlast me :)

Home testing for INR Home testing for INR Is very convenient and makes any adjustments easy to do. I had a tissue valve that didn't last long and replaced it with a mechanical valve. I feel terrific and the coumadin management for more than two years now has been routine. If you decide on...

Yep Yep I had very similar symptoms for years before AVR. Now, none at all. Chances are those feelings will be much improved after your surgery.

Mechanical Mechanical I don't often jump into this kind of forum discussion and when I do it is to echo what others have said about the fact that it is your choice - and truly it is. However at your age I would urge you to give very serious consideration to a mechanical valve. I have had...

I've had them both I've had them both I had a tissue valve - homograft - at age 48 at the Cleveland Clinic and I was happy with the choice initially for the reasons that others have stated. However there were signs of valve failure within 6 years and a reoperation at 9 years. It was NOT any...

My experience is exactly the same as Protimenow. I do hear it any time I am sitting still in a quiet location. Sometimes at night it is a bother. But for some reason my pulse is slower and steadier now, and being able to hear that is a joy :)

bdryer. I am feeling just great. Interestingly, I am feeling better and have better heart function now than with the previous homograft. I van hear the On-x in a quiet setting like when I am trying to go to sleep. You get used to it. Sometimes I use it to keep track of time as my pulse is...

On-X with aortic graft On-X with aortic graft For my second surgery I wanted a mechanical valve and new I would need an aortic graft. My surgeon was very comfortable with assembly in the operating room a little more than a year ago. I thought though that On-X was going to have a...

Scott, we have almost the same history Scott, we have almost the same history Except my homograft lasted only 9 years -- and the last two I was quite compromised. now with a mechanical valve I seem to have much better heart function even though I am 10 years older. To Clement - these are...

Thanks Lyn. I've been on warfarin with home testing for just a year. Things are going well, but it sounds like this would be an improvement in medical management when it is available for mechanical valve patients.

This is very interesting. If I read it right though, it was NOT approved for patients with mechanical heart valves.