In 1967 my docs told me that this Starr-Edwards heart valve would last 50 years. I'm pretty sure I didn't believe them, but I did "take it on faith" that it would extend my life beyond age 40....which was the age they told me I wouldn't make without corrective surgery.
I read with interest, and a little confusion, the arguments regarding valve choice, and frankly am very glad I didn't have to go thru that process. Ignorance can be bliss. As I remember, there where few choices, if any, among mechanical valves (and my surgeons made that decision without consulting me).....and the tissue valves where still on the drawing boards. FWIW, my PERSONAL observations regarding some of these arguments are:
"don't like blood thinners".....I've had only one problem (about seven years post op), and it has been a significant problem, during my 46 years on the drug.....and it probably would not have occurred had I not gone without my "pill" for a week while on vacation. There were a lot of unanswered questions about warfarin use in those days and I pretty much did whatever (some good, some bad) I wanted to do. Unfortunately, many medical professionals still seem puzzled about managing warfarin. Educational info and Internet forums like VR.org minimize the "dark ages" problems of the '60s and '70s regarding the use of warfarin.
"don't like taking daily pills"......me neither, but now that I am an old man, I take a small handful of them....and only one is warfarin. Live long enough and you will have to learn to tolerate "taking daily pills".
"I am too active to risk bruising or bleeding".....never been a problem for me and the only things I haven't done is "sky dive" (can't look out of a fifth floor window without fear of falling... LOL). or "run with scissors", although I have come close....there are a few others, but you get my point.
"I am willing to accept multiple surgeries".....REALLY???? I'm not. Based on what I read of current surgical procedures it hasn't changed a lot since my time on the table. Someday, valve replacement will be an easier surgery....but I doubt it will be as easy as "having your tonsils removed".
I am looking forward to being the first to get 50 years out of a single "valve job" and it is becoming increasingly more likely. Recently I had a conversation with my new cardio and, after looking over my past two yearly echoes, he told me that there has been little change and unless a problem occurs there is no need for an annual echo.....one every couple years should be sufficient.
I read with interest, and a little confusion, the arguments regarding valve choice, and frankly am very glad I didn't have to go thru that process. Ignorance can be bliss. As I remember, there where few choices, if any, among mechanical valves (and my surgeons made that decision without consulting me).....and the tissue valves where still on the drawing boards. FWIW, my PERSONAL observations regarding some of these arguments are:
"don't like blood thinners".....I've had only one problem (about seven years post op), and it has been a significant problem, during my 46 years on the drug.....and it probably would not have occurred had I not gone without my "pill" for a week while on vacation. There were a lot of unanswered questions about warfarin use in those days and I pretty much did whatever (some good, some bad) I wanted to do. Unfortunately, many medical professionals still seem puzzled about managing warfarin. Educational info and Internet forums like VR.org minimize the "dark ages" problems of the '60s and '70s regarding the use of warfarin.
"don't like taking daily pills"......me neither, but now that I am an old man, I take a small handful of them....and only one is warfarin. Live long enough and you will have to learn to tolerate "taking daily pills".
"I am too active to risk bruising or bleeding".....never been a problem for me and the only things I haven't done is "sky dive" (can't look out of a fifth floor window without fear of falling... LOL). or "run with scissors", although I have come close....there are a few others, but you get my point.
"I am willing to accept multiple surgeries".....REALLY???? I'm not. Based on what I read of current surgical procedures it hasn't changed a lot since my time on the table. Someday, valve replacement will be an easier surgery....but I doubt it will be as easy as "having your tonsils removed".
I am looking forward to being the first to get 50 years out of a single "valve job" and it is becoming increasingly more likely. Recently I had a conversation with my new cardio and, after looking over my past two yearly echoes, he told me that there has been little change and unless a problem occurs there is no need for an annual echo.....one every couple years should be sufficient.
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let us know on the date, we should organise a synchronised champagne toast 
