New but Lurking for Months!

What would I have done if I had reached 58 years old before my valve demanded attention (I was 45 so went mechanical)? Options:

1) Tissue valve - maybe will last 15-20 years. Replace with TAVI when it fails.

2) Mechanical - hopefully no further operations but lifelong warfarin.

3) TAVI - you are too young. No studies with people less than 70 years. BAV don't necessarily have the same success with TAVI as non-BAV (TAVI in a tissue prosthetic valve seems to work fine).

On balance I think that I would have gone for tissue if I had been 58. However, tissue or mechanical are good choices. If you surveyed 100 Cardiologists, I bet you would have a very split opinion. Whatever you decide, it is rational and should serve you well.

Hey everyone. Thanks to all for the replies on this thread. Had a Cardiac Cath last week, ultrasound of carotids, blood draw and so forth. So far all pretty much as expected though I think docs leaning now towards doing the valve only.
One thing I noted from blood work before and during Cath was that I'm anemic. How many of you know that anemia can be caused by aortic stenosis? I didn't know until researching it after seeing my out of whack numbers. And apparently it often self corrects after AVR. Here's a link about it. Acquired Hematological Abnormalities in Aortic Stenosis . Sorry to bore if this subject has already been addressed!

heartlikeawheel said:

How many of you know that anemia can be caused by aortic stenosis? I didn't know until researching it after seeing my out of whack numbers. And apparently it often self corrects after AVR.

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No, I didn't know that - thanks. I am also surprised to see that it can be corrected by AVR - in my case, I became anemic AFTER my valve was inserted, and the view was that a mechanical valve can damage red blood cells. So among the many tablets I take each day are a couple of Ferrous Fumarate.

LondonAndy said:

No, I didn't know that - thanks. I am also surprised to see that it can be corrected by AVR - in my case, I became anemic AFTER my valve was inserted, and the view was that a mechanical valve can damage red blood cells. So among the many tablets I take each day are a couple of Ferrous Fumarate.

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That's interesting. I knew the mechanical could impact blood quality but was not aware to this extent. have not heard too many people mention the iron supplement on here. Is this quite common among mech valve recipients ?

heartlikeawheel said:

Thank you! It doesn't seem as commercial as another site I found online.

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I agree. I used the other site to keep my friends & family updated, and to encourage other patients. I came to THIS forum for data and personal experience. I felt I was able to express myself more here as far as fears and concerns, without worrying about upsetting my family.

PAN said:

That's interesting. I knew the mechanical could impact blood quality but was not aware to this extent. have not heard too many people mention the iron supplement on here. Is this quite common among mech valve recipients ?

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Chronic Cardio exercise can potentially increase the negative effect , blood flow and speed are increased and this causes turbulence around the mech valve damaging the red cells.
the change in haemodynamics during the exercise seems to be a factor.

I, too, have anemia caused by my heart valve. Until diagnosed, I was needing transfusions every 6-10 months. I now take folic acid, plus iron and vitamin C. So far, that has helped. I was recently diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis...go figure! Add some more pills to the lot!!! It makes me wonder how it’s all linked. Fix one thing and another pops up.

I agree about anemia after AVR. I have always been borderline but became severely anemic after my surgery - doctor said I had literally no iron, I think a 7 or something. I started taking Iron pills (Vitron C, which has Vitamin C as well) and it corrected. I don’t take them much anymore, just during my monthly cycle, as they caused me some issues. I do add an Iron test to my annual physical just to ensure all is okay.