What Type of Valve?

[kizzy]

waiting and learning

waiting and learning

Hi there,
I'm 53 yo woman also trying to decide on mechanical or tissue. I had my cardio cath last tues. I was pretty out of it and didn't get much info after. I do remember my doc did say somthing about new bovine tissue lasting as long as any. I hate the thought of a mechanical and I hate the idea of being on cumadin. Last Summer I was working on our house to move in and I fell face first, no hands on a steel/porcelain sink and my face and eye and forhead swelled up like a grapefruit! I imagine if that happened on cumadin I would have been in real trouble. By the time I got to the ER I was deep purple! I also use power tools for projects and If I cut myself....I just don't want another worry and maybe the next time the non invasive surgery will be perfected and offered to most of us anyway or maybe a better blood thinner will be developed....who knows. I have not decided as I won't even meet my surgeon untill weds. Have you met with yours yet? Let us know what he says. I am terrified. I'm hopeing a smaller incision is used now so I don't look like a zipper. I just want to get it over with so my daughter can set a date for her wedding and I can be healed and of use. You don't know how long somthing will last; like my mom had 4 bypasses 25 yrs ago which were suposed to last 10 yrs! She's doing great at 81!
Best to you, Kizzy

Hello,
I am a 48 year old woman with arotic stenosis. I have been told that my valve is at a severe stage and will need to be replaced. The cardiologist is pressing towards a tissue valve, however, with my age and some of the research I have done I am wondering if a mechanical valve would not be better. The cardiologist also informed me that the aortic valve replacement is less likely to clot. Any helpful information would be great. Thanks

 

[Old clicker]

I was 48 when I need mine replaced. My Doctor recommended Mechanical, because of my age, but the decision was mine. I went mechanical

 

[Barry]

Pretty much what they said. I went under the knife in my early 50's and opted for a mechanical valve, thinking that I probably wouldn't survive replacement of a tissue valve in my 70's. Coumadin is an annoyance, but not much more than that. Serendepitous for me: Post op they found that I had atrial fibrillation, and it's chronic. Guess what treatment of choice for Afib is? Coumadin.

 

[gordy]

Small Incision

Small Incision

Hi there,
I'm 53 yo woman also trying to decide on mechanical or tissue. I had my cardio cath last tues. I was pretty out of it and didn't get much info after. I do remember my doc did say somthing about new bovine tissue lasting as long as any. I hate the thought of a mechanical and I hate the idea of being on cumadin. Last Summer I was working on our house to move in and I fell face first, no hands on a steel/porcelain sink and my face and eye and forhead swelled up like a grapefruit! I imagine if that happened on cumadin I would have been in real trouble. By the time I got to the ER I was deep purple! I also use power tools for projects and If I cut myself....I just don't want another worry and maybe the next time the non invasive surgery will be perfected and offered to most of us anyway or maybe a better blood thinner will be developed....who knows. I have not decided as I won't even meet my surgeon untill weds. Have you met with yours yet? Let us know what he says. I am terrified. I'm hopeing a smaller incision is used now so I don't look like a zipper. I just want to get it over with so my daughter can set a date for her wedding and I can be healed and of use. You don't know how long somthing will last; like my mom had 4 bypasses 25 yrs ago which were suposed to last 10 yrs! She's doing great at 81!
Best to you, Kizzy

Kizzy, I had my aortic valve replaced 9 weeks ago and the incision is only 3 inches long. They still cut through your sternum, so I think the pain factor is about the same, but the scar is much less noticeable. Mine is starting to fade already. My surgeon told me they are using this a lot now, so ask your guy if he does this type of incision.