I had my failed tissue aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve 6 weeks ago. I hated the week in hospital- scary, painful, constant tests etc etc etc and Im hoping my mechanical valve does last forever- at least 45 years!
Although the redo was awful for me (especially pre op worrying) the surgeon actually said there were absolutely no complications and it was easier, although longer than the first op. I had bleeding issues with my first op but even in the space of 4 years bleeding can be much more easily controlled than before. I think anyone with a tissue valve who is expecting a reop somewhere down the line should be very confident that the next op will go very smoothly once the week in hospital is over. My surgeon said without complications I shouldn't need another op but he did say that even another op wouldn't be too risky and there are people who are on their 5th valve replacement. However, he certainly didn't advice me to go down that route!
I still find it very strange when there is such a mixed perception on how long valves should last- some surgeons say tissue valves could last up to 20 years+, others say 8-15. Mechanical valves are meant to last forever, my surgeon and others I've spoken to agree. Others say 20-30. Valve companies say 200 years. My view is that a mechanical has the potential to last forever without complications and newer valves such as on x/ carbomedic both have their own ways to prevent pannus. I think the way valves are implanted these days is much better and more 'secure' from what I've been told. There is really no telling how long valves will last until there is significant new data in the future, tissue or mechanical but I guess the good news is that heart surgery is getting safer every other year so whatever the outcome we know we will be in good hands when it's time for another op.
Although the redo was awful for me (especially pre op worrying) the surgeon actually said there were absolutely no complications and it was easier, although longer than the first op. I had bleeding issues with my first op but even in the space of 4 years bleeding can be much more easily controlled than before. I think anyone with a tissue valve who is expecting a reop somewhere down the line should be very confident that the next op will go very smoothly once the week in hospital is over. My surgeon said without complications I shouldn't need another op but he did say that even another op wouldn't be too risky and there are people who are on their 5th valve replacement. However, he certainly didn't advice me to go down that route!
I still find it very strange when there is such a mixed perception on how long valves should last- some surgeons say tissue valves could last up to 20 years+, others say 8-15. Mechanical valves are meant to last forever, my surgeon and others I've spoken to agree. Others say 20-30. Valve companies say 200 years. My view is that a mechanical has the potential to last forever without complications and newer valves such as on x/ carbomedic both have their own ways to prevent pannus. I think the way valves are implanted these days is much better and more 'secure' from what I've been told. There is really no telling how long valves will last until there is significant new data in the future, tissue or mechanical but I guess the good news is that heart surgery is getting safer every other year so whatever the outcome we know we will be in good hands when it's time for another op.
