Tissue Valvers. How Old is Yours?

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Been a few years since I posted here.
I've had 12 years amazing years with a Carpentier-Edwards Bovine Pericardial Aortic valve put in at Cleveland Clinic when I was 53. I had a few problems with intermitent A- fib that were solved with an ablation 2 years ago. Otherwise, I don't ususally think about my valve or my heart, it just works like it should. Last echo looked great. Recent stress test at work was fine.
 
11 years at age 50 with Edwards. It’s starting to show calcification but it’s not leaking. I know I will need another one in the near future. I liked the fact that it was maintenance free but I’m leaning towards a mechanical next time.
 
My Edwards bovine pericardial aortic valve (Magna Perimount) is now 14+ years old (since May 2, 2005). It is still going strong, and I could not be more pleased. FYI, I was 60 years old at the time of the operation, now going on 75.
That is good to hear. I have the same valve and just passed 8 years with no noticeable deterioration.
 
Mine lasted 10.5 years - I was 26 when I got my Carpentier Edwards Paramount bovine valve. Going in next week to replace it with a St. Jude.
 
Unfortunately, no. Very small bone frame, so only a 21mm would fit last time. Hoping to enlarge the root and put in a larger valve this time, anticipating TAVR down the road. I am definitely hoping this is my last OHS>


.
This must explain your choice of another tissue valve. Are advancements such that they are now able to enlarge things where they weren't able to do that previously? Having not yet gone through this I wonder what my anatomy will 'decide' for me.
 
My Edwards bovine Magna Ease valve has so far lasted 6 years, surgery done when I was 60, and I have moderate patient prosthesis mismatch with high pressure gradient, nearly as high as pre surgery, and a smaller effective orifice area than my bicuspid valve pre surgery. Very loud murmur from day 1 post surgery - probably due to turbulent blood flow through the small valve, always confuses doctors listening to my heart.

Cardiologist and cardiac surgeon looking at a re-do surgery when the valve leaflets degenerate, so I have annual echocardiograms specifically to look for degeneration. When I have redo I hope to have either a valve implanted in supraannular position or an aortic root enlargement. I do not know why neither of those options was chosen when I originally had my bicuspid valve replaced as the sizer measured only a space for 19mm valve which should have indicated to the cardiac surgeon (needless to say not the one I am under now) that I would have patient prosthesis mismatch which should be avoided in someone very fit. I have never got back to my previous level of fitness due to this PPM.
 
Been a few years since I posted here.
I've had 12 years amazing years with a Carpentier-Edwards Bovine Pericardial Aortic valve put in at Cleveland Clinic when I was 53. I had a few problems with intermitent A- fib that were solved with an ablation 2 years ago. Otherwise, I don't ususally think about my valve or my heart, it just works like it should. Last echo looked great. Recent stress test at work was fine.
My Edwards bovine Magna Ease valve has so far lasted 6 years, surgery done when I was 60, and I have moderate patient prosthesis mismatch with high pressure gradient, nearly as high as pre surgery, and a smaller effective orifice area than my bicuspid valve pre surgery. Very loud murmur from day 1 post surgery - probably due to turbulent blood flow through the small valve, always confuses doctors listening to my heart.

Cardiologist and cardiac surgeon looking at a re-do surgery when the valve leaflets degenerate, so I have annual echocardiograms specifically to look for degeneration. When I have redo I hope to have either a valve implanted in supraannular position or an aortic root enlargement. I do not know why neither of those options was chosen when I originally had my bicuspid valve replaced as the sizer measured only a space for 19mm valve which should have indicated to the cardiac surgeon (needless to say not the one I am under now) that I would have patient prosthesis mismatch which should be avoided in someone very fit. I have never got back to my previous level of fitness due to this PPM.
 
My Edward bovine has lasted 9 yrs, put in at the Cleveland Clinic. When & if I need to get another (I'm 65) it probably will be a tissue again. I love the freedom of not having to watch levels of RX. Working at a large hospital I see the effects of warfarin on a daily basis. Mostly older & amazing bruising.
 
Yes, aortic root graft this time.
In an effort to discover why my valve calcified so early, I just had a blood test for Lipoprotein (a), or Lp (a).
My result was 238 or very high. Values greater than 75 carry increased risk for heart disease. It is an inherited gene, and is immune to diet & exercise. It is strongly associated with aortic valve stenosis.

This must explain your choice of another tissue valve. Are advancements such that they are now able to enlarge things where they weren't able to do that previously? Having not yet gone through this I wonder what my anatomy will 'decide' for me.
 
11 months 3 weeks 6 days with mine so far. Hoping it will last 15-20, but you never know. Do feel tissue was the right choice for me.
 
Got 15 great years with my Medtronic porcine. Was still going strong last fall; however, my surgeon for removal of aortic aneurysm decided while he was in there, he might as well install a brand-new valve -- an Edwards bovine. He consulted with me beforehand, and I agreed it was a good idea. Doing well. Recent echo yielded all good numbers.
 
Back
Top