hi greg!
everyone here is right. those who say that mechanicals will be the most practical and long-lasting are very right. others who say that the tissue or homograft is the way to go (technology will have something in a few years when it's time to redo these) are right too.
as far as coumadin goes, many people are afraid of it and will go to great lengths to avoid it. those who take it, though, don't seem to mind it at all.
my dad has a st. jude's and takes coumadin and leads an active lifestyle (he's only 68). no complaints from him!
my husband, on the other hand, is 49 and wanted no part of coumadin (our lifestyle, etc)
so he opted for the ross procedure. now i read all these stories about rp's failing, etc. and to be honest, it really spooks me.
it's a very personal thing, this valve selection. there are no guarantees. you have to make a choice you will be comfortable with, regardless of how long it actually does end up lasting (which is, hopefully, the long end of the statistical range).
i think i 've learned that there really is no right or wrong answer to this dilemna. it is a lifesaving surgery and is designed to do just that. if the valve lasts as long as it's said to, i would consider that to be one of the lucky ones.
don't mean to sound somber, just realistic and honest. please let us know what you decide.
good luck in your decision making. wishing you all the best,
sylvia