Recent content by Tojomiami

Hey Tommy, I had an aortic homograft (from Cryolife) that lasted 17.5 years. It was great, I climbed and summited Mount Rainier 4 times with it. It finally wore out. Very little calcification, but thinning of the leaflets to the point that one leaflet developed a hole, and I had severe aortic...

Hi Sarah, I had a homograft in 1999 and just had my second AVR in January, a mechanical valve (On-X) at Mayo Clinic. My recovery from my second surgery was harder for me initially. I had 4 chest tubes the second time, and two the first. However, now I am doing great. I entered a cardiac...

Great news! You will feel better every day. Tomorrow is my 2 month anniversary with my On-X!

As everyone states, there is no wrong answer. Both choices have their pros and cons. I had my first AVR at age 49, and had a homograft tissue valve. It worked great for nearly 18 years. I was very active, a mountain climber, ice climber, skier, and worked out with weights and cardio...

Hey all, I had my second AVR on January 17th and my failing homograft was replaced with an On-X mechanical valve. I will admit the second OHS is much tougher than the first. I had four chest times this time, and only 2 the first time. All is going well but I have needed pretty heavy doses of...

Hey all, I am scheduled for my second AVR with a mechanical valve January 17th. I am a bit nervous but ready. Will post from the other side. Thanks fro everyone's help!

Hey Shah, There is no right or wrong answer. Whatever you choose is right for you. My advice is get all of the information you can and make an informed choice. Read through the posts in this forum. If you have the time and opportunity, get second opinions from other medical specialists in...

All the best!

Thanks everyone for those helpful comments. I am motivated to manage my INR, and looking forward to the surgery and getting my energy back. My surgeon recommended the On-X, and what I have read sounds very promising. I loved the homograft, but apparently they don't recommend a repeat...

I am scheduled soon to have my second AVR. My first was done in 1999 using an aortic valve homograft. That was excellent for a long time, but is now failing, and my docs tell me it is time for replacement. I am seriously considering a mechanical valve this time to avoid a third surgery and...

I received an aortic homograft valve replacement 17.5 years ago at age 45, but now I have severe regurgitation and am going to have my second OHS soon. It was great the first 14 years or so, but I have had slowly progressive loss of exercise tolerance over the past few years. I climbed Mount...