Hello James, Welcome.
I have been enrolled in the On-X study since July of 2008.
Having a tissue valve was never a consideration of mine. The potential of having multiple surgeries did not sound all that inviting to me. I'm 49 now and having a tissue valve would mean at least one maybe two more surgeries in my life. Not interested.
After speaking to my surgeon and checking into the On-X program, I chose to have an On-X valve and join the study. I have an On-X Valve in the aortic position and also had my ascending aorta replaced with a Gelweave Graph. I feel good. I'm doing things that I haven't been able to do in 20 years.
First, I’m sold on the design of the valve. I am a mechanic by trade and the design features of the valve made sense to me. The way the valve flares creates a vortex that constantly washes the valve clean in areas other mechanical vales allow blood to pool. Also the floating hinge system allows the valve to flow more blood per beat, and again, constantly cleans the hinge area helping to ward off clotting in this area. I think it’s a well designed carburetor.
The study. They tell me there are 3 fingers to the study. I am in the aspirin, low dose of Coumadin finger. My range is 2.0 - 3.0. I've been out of range 3 times. I had initially hoped to be in the Plavix finger, although, today I am satisfied where I am.
Reason one, there is no testing for Plavix, you are never really sure where you stand with an INR reading. I didn’t think it would be important at first but I feel more comfortable knowing what my INR is.
At some point during this study I expect that they will want to change my status quo. I expect that they will lower the INR threshold or move me from Coumadin to Plavix, or who knows what. It’s a study, the object I expect is that their ultimate goal is to prove that you can have an On-X valve and take no anticoagulation meds at all. Where’s the line? I would convert to Plavix if they ask but I’m not going to be that bold a pioneer to take zero meds.
I am confident that at each cusp I will have the final choice as to proceed or not.
As part of being a guinea pig On-X covers the ongoing cost of testing and checkups. The Inratio 2 meter and all my testing supplies are provided to me at no cost to my insurance or me. No co-pays. My 1-year echo was covered fully.
A second benefit and one I really did not expect, I have contact with my cardiologist office weekly. I test every Tuesday. I call my results into QAS, a data collection & reporting agency, and then I call my number into my cardiologist office so I have continual contact with them each week. On occasion, I get a call from the person in charge of the study in my surgeon’s office just checking up with me to see how everything is going. I get monitored a little more closely.
For now I'm pleased with my choice, no reason not to be, I feel better then my wildest expectations and I feel well taken care of. I feel I made the right choice for me.
Everything has gone exactly the way it was pitched to me on the front end.
From On'X, the doctors, all the caregivers, everyone has done everything I was told they would and more.
Now would I feel as well with any other Mechanical valve? I don't know, and frankly hope I don't ever have to find out.
Good luck with your decision, If I can be of any futher assistance, no problem.
