9 Questions for Those with BioProsthetic (Tissue) Valves

[newarrior]

Kudos for supporting your/buddy/hubby. In my experience support is very, very important.

1. At what age did you get your bio-prosthetic valve? 71 yo - 27mm Inspiris Resilia. Hopefully it will last 15 - 20 years at my age. If it starts to fail, I should be a candidate for a TAVR replacement

2. How long have you had your bio-prosthetic valve for? 21 months

3. If your valve failed, what was the reason? N/A

4. Are there any medications you have had to take after surgery because of the bio-prosthetic valve replacement surgery? Same as prior to surgery: 81mg aspirin, 2 BP meds, atorvastatin

5. Did you have any complications after your surgery? No

6. What is your exercise tolerance like now after surgery? 3 mile walk 5 days/week at approx. 3.5 mph - with no difficulty.

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being miserable and 10 being happy, how happy are you with your choice for bio-prosthetic valve? 10 - so far

8. Is there anything that you would do differently now, that you have had this experience, and from all the things you have learned thus far? No

9. Any further tips to share on how to experience success and a great quality of life having made this important valvular choice?

• I greatly reduced anxiety for myself and my wife by researching and understanding valve and aneurysm issues so that I am able to read and understand test results. This really helped to understand the difference between moderate vs severe and the commensurate risks. And then to understand and make informed decisions on when to have the surgery performed, which valve to choose, what the surgical methods are - e.g. traditional sternotomy vs mini, etc. We were both still anxious but mostly confident going into the surgery.
• Research clinics and surgeons diligently. I wanted to get the very best possible skills and capabilities to give myself the best chance for a positive outcome. For me, this meant going 1000 miles from home instead of 30 miles.
• Post surgery mindset - I try to frequently remind myself that my life was extended and to make the most of it.

HTH

Did you do other exercise before that you have quit ? I myself have settled on a fairly low stress regime--about 8000 feet a day walk 25 mins cardio via the treadmill and 10 mins every other day of weight lifting

 

[Dano64]

1. At what age did you get your bio-prosthetic valve? 58

2. How long have you had your bio-prosthetic valve for? 14 months

3. If your valve failed, what was the reason? No fail

4. Are there any medications you have had to take after surgery because of the bio-prosthetic valve replacement surgery? Metoprolol for a year and a baby aspirin

5. Did you have any complications after your surgery? No

6. What is your exercise tolerance like now after surgery? Same as before

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being miserable and 10 being happy, how happy are you with your choice for bio-prosthetic valve? 10

8. Is there anything that you would do differently now, that you have had this experience, and from all the things you have learned thus far? No, this was my second OHS and I am accustomed to this. It feels normal to me and with medical advancements, and the possibility of TAVR, I have peace of mind with my choice.

9. Any further tips to share on how to experience success and a great quality of life having made this important valvular choice? Carpe diem! Do everything you can to enjoy your life on a daily basis and listen to your doctors, but maybe don't hesitate to get a second opinion on such a big issue.

 

[Kkch.i]

I'm going to peruse this forum to see what I can find out about valve-in-valve replacements.

Ha! I was thinking about a survey like this and you beat me to it. According to my cardiac team, one factor was whether the patient has coronary disease that makes their veins harder and/ or narrower. I asked from a mitral valve perspective but assume aortic valve should apply too.

 

[H.E.pumper]

On Nov 29, 2022, a poster by the username csigabigs started a thread called “Need Help Choosing! 14 Questions For Those With Mechanical Valve + Warfarin”.

I would also like to do my own survey, copying some of csigabigs' questions, for a total of 9, and directing it to those with bio prosthetic (tissue valves).

The people I’m interested in hearing from, need to be approximately 55 years of age or older when having received their bio-prosthetic AVR. (I’m not trying to be ostracizing here in any way to the younger crowd, it’s just very unlikely that those who are younger than 55 will live to 90 without another operation. I am open to be standing corrected on this point).

1. At what age did you get your bio-prosthetic valve?

63 years

2. How long have you had your bio-prosthetic valve for?

Since 6/6/2012. Almost 11 years. St. Judes Trifecta 25mm bovine aortic valve.

3. If your valve failed, what was the reason?

Eecho test every other year shows that it's working fine. I originally had a bicuspid aortic valve since birth.

4. Are there any medications you have had to take after surgery because of the bio-prosthetic valve replacement surgery?

No post meds if I recall. I don't take any meds due to my new valve.

5. Did you have any complications after your surgery?

No complications.

6. What is your exercise tolerance like now after surgery?

After the required physical therapy sessions, no restrictions on exercise. I'm a serious road cyclist and hiker.

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being miserable and 10 being happy, how happy are you with your choice for bio-prosthetic valve?

10.

8. Is there anything that you would do differently now, that you have had this experience, and from all the things you have learned thus far?

Nothing different. My wife insisted I avoid mechanical valves due to my somewhat risky activities.

9. Any further tips to share on how to experience success and a great quality of life having made this important valvular choice?

Besides my bi-yearly echo tests my life goes on as if nothing happened.

Thank you all so much.

Tom

 

[DanO]

On Nov 29, 2022, a poster by the username csigabigs started a thread called “Need Help Choosing! 14 Questions For Those With Mechanical Valve + Warfarin”.

I would also like to do my own survey, copying some of csigabigs' questions, for a total of 9, and directing it to those with bio prosthetic (tissue valves).

The people I’m interested in hearing from, need to be approximately 55 years of age or older when having received their bio-prosthetic AVR. (I’m not trying to be ostracizing here in any way to the younger crowd, it’s just very unlikely that those who are younger than 55 will live to 90 without another operation. I am open to be standing corrected on this point).

1. At what age did you get your bio-prosthetic valve?

2. How long have you had your bio-prosthetic valve for?

3. If your valve failed, what was the reason?

4. Are there any medications you have had to take after surgery because of the bio-prosthetic valve replacement surgery?

5. Did you have any complications after your surgery?

6. What is your exercise tolerance like now after surgery?

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being miserable and 10 being happy, how happy are you with your choice for bio-prosthetic valve?

8. Is there anything that you would do differently now, that you have had this experience, and from all the things you have learned thus far?

9. Any further tips to share on how to experience success and a great quality of life having made this important valvular choice?

Thank you all so much.

1. 56 - 9/23/2009
2. ~14 years
3. no failure
4. Atenolol, lisinopril, aspirin, vitamin, Prilosec, Lipitor (all daily)
5. None
6. No restrictions
7. 10+
8. Nope
9. I was told to expect 10-15 years with this valve and then a re-do (hopefully TAVR) My last checkup last month, based on current conditions - can expect another 10-15 years (fingers crossed). But, if I did need to get another replacement, I have not maintained good eating and exercise habits as I have grown older. That is one big regret thus far…. Stay healthy.

 

[BicuspidBuddy]

If I had been able to delay my surgery by a couple of years I would have been able to get the Inspiris Resilia valve which is the latest bio-prosthetic valve which, in theory, has a longer ‘life’ than the Magna Ease valve I have which is its predecessor. As it is I will doubtless have another operation before I’m 90 !

Did your cardio or surgeon say it would be possible that in the very distant future, should you require another operation, that a TAVR could be done within your Magna Ease valve?

 

[BicuspidBuddy]

9. I was told to expect 10-15 years with this valve and then a re-do (hopefully TAVR) My last checkup last month, based on current conditions - can expect another 10-15 years (fingers crossed).

Did your cardio or surgeon say the re-do could be TAVR for you? What type of bioprosthetic/tissue valve do you have?

 

[BicuspidBuddy]

this was my second OHS and I am accustomed to this. It feels normal to me and with medical advancements, and the possibility of TAVR, I have peace of mind with my choice.

What type of bioprosthetic/tissue valve do you have, and did your cardio or surgeon say that you may be a candidate for future TAVR if necessary?

 

[BicuspidBuddy]

7. 100%. I will need reintervention at some stage of course because of my age.

9. As other poster said, I would have perhaps been open to receiving Inspiris Resilia but my surgeon felt that there's not enough data yet and we went with Edwards Magna Ease.

Did your cardio or surgeon say that a possible future intervention, (if you even needed one), could be TAVR with your Magna Ease?

 

[BicuspidBuddy]

7. 10. My surgeon recommended going this route and said TVAR would be an option if I outlive this valve.

What type of bioprosthetic/tissue valve do you have?

 

[Paleowoman]

Did your cardio or surgeon say it would be possible that in the very distant future, should you require another operation, that a TAVR could be done within your Magna Ease valve?

No...because at that time it wasn't thought that TAVR could be inserted within a previous aortic valve replacement.

As it is, even if that had been a possibility, my valve, at 19mm, is too small to take a TAVR.

 

[Dano64]

What type of bioprosthetic/tissue valve do you have, and did your cardio or surgeon say that you may be a candidate for future TAVR if necessary?

I have the Inspiris Resilia valve and I was told I could be a TAVR candidate in the future.