A
AlanC
I am 41 years old and going in for a Aortic valve replacement in June. Prior to visiting the Cardiothoracic Surgeon scheduled to do my surgery i had only really been considering a mechanical valve due to my age and my pre conceived idea of the length tissue valves last. ( Around 7 years in the medical book i have ).
However whilst not advising me one way or the other he did suggest i didn't discount the tissue valve out of hand. He also advised me that his preferred choice of tissue valve is using Bovine Pericardal tissue rather than porcine.
I just wondered whether anyone can tell me more about the Bovine type valve and its longevity.
My other concern is if i go the mechanical route is the effect using Warfarin will have on my body over what i would hope will be another 40 plus years !!. Up till recently i had still been playing Football and running every week as well as the odd walking weekend. I hope to still keep up these activities following the surgery and wondered which if either had any effect on this ?
However whilst not advising me one way or the other he did suggest i didn't discount the tissue valve out of hand. He also advised me that his preferred choice of tissue valve is using Bovine Pericardal tissue rather than porcine.
I just wondered whether anyone can tell me more about the Bovine type valve and its longevity.
My other concern is if i go the mechanical route is the effect using Warfarin will have on my body over what i would hope will be another 40 plus years !!. Up till recently i had still been playing Football and running every week as well as the odd walking weekend. I hope to still keep up these activities following the surgery and wondered which if either had any effect on this ?