Age of Mechanical Valves

[Projohta]

Hey everyone,

was just wondering if some of you mechanical valve patients wouldn’t mind posting the age you got your surgery and your age now! Just for some positive reinforcement for our younger folks!


Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Projohta]

Well, happy almost Thanksgiving lol

 

[Superman]

I’m 48 and as of two days ago, I’ve spent 3 decades with St. Jude ticking away. I had my first surgery when I was 17. Turned 18 in the hospital. I’ve been taking warfarin ever since and home testing for the last 10 years or so.

My second surgery was 11 years ago and was not due to any fault with the original valve but rather I had an aortic aneurysm that required repair.

There are a few of us 30 plus years ticking on this site. At least one has been at it over 50 years.

And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

 

[dick0236]

I still have my original mechanical (ball-in-cage) aortic valve that was implanted in 1967, when I was 31. In a couple of months, I will be 85 years old........and the valve, at 53+ years old, continues to work although, at my age, other things are breaking down. The Starr-Edwards "ball-in-cage" valve was the first commercially available valve in 1961and was produced by Edwards Lifesciences, with little change until 2007 when it was discontinued. Since my valve was one of the first implanted valves, I doubt there are any older than mine still clickin'..........but you never know. I sure didn't figure mine would last this long.........neither did any of my doctors.

 

[pellicle]

I sure didn't figure mine would last this long.........neither did any of my doctors.

but I'm sure you're glad it did ;-)

 

[Sheenas7]

I am turning 71. First surgery at 7 was a repair. Second surgery in my early fifties. A St Judes mechanical valve . Have been doing very well.

 

[RAS]

46 years old when my St Jude Regent valve was implanted. 61 years old now and the valve continues to function well.

 

[dick0236]

I am turning 71. First surgery at 7 was a repair. Second surgery in my early fifties. A St Judes mechanical valve . Have been doing very well.

I think you get the gold ring. Your first heart surgery was in 1956?......THAT goes back to a time before "heart-lung" machines were invented and heart surgery was, very much, in its infancy.

 

[Superman]

I think you get the gold ring. Your first heart surgery was in 1956?......THAT goes back to a time before "heart-lung" machines were invented and heart surgery was, very much, in its infancy.

“You’re going to feel a bit of a pinch. Bite down on this rope!”

....okay - not that old.

 

[egar]

I’m a relative newcomer compared to most here. I got my St Jude mitral valve 25 months ago at the age of 56.

No issues post surgery and life is totally normal now. Sure I’m taking warfarin, but it’s a non-event and just part of my new normal.

 

[Sheenas7]

I think you get the gold ring. Your first heart surgery was in 1956?......THAT goes back to a time before "heart-lung" machines were invented and heart surgery was, very much, in its infancy.

Yes it was pioneer surgery. 1957. I was incredibly lucky indeed.

 

[vitdoc]

1977 Age 29 tissue aortic valve
1983 replaced with St. Jude started Warfarin
2006 new St Jude and 6.5 cm aneurysm repair got pacemaker for 3rd degree block.. Also started home INR testing.
2016 Mitral Clip for decompensated mitral insufficiency
Biking 120 miles / wk currently. Age 72.
Could be worse.

 

[DachsieMom]

Surgery at 41 (just shy of 42). It’s been 5.5 years for my st Jude aortic mechanical valve conduit (valve with graft, which replaced part of my aorta due to a sinus of valsalva aneurysm). I’m 47 now.

 

[Warrick]

My fathers St Jude mechanical was implanted in 1985 when he was 42, both him and the valve are still ticking.
Mine was 5 a few weeks ago

 

[QuincyRunner]

I received a St. Jude mechanical valve in the mitral position when I was 53 after contracting endocarditis from a teeth cleaning. I am now 62, self testing INR weekly with over 90% accuracy and living a normal and healthy lifestyle. I run 3x a week and lift weights (not super heavy) 2x a week. Just recently stopped swimming for the winter and am replacing with biking. Some issues with skipped heart beats but not bad enough yet to need a pacemaker and no signs of AFIB.

 

[DavesMom]

Hi and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

I had aortic repair at age 20 and then AVR/aneurysm repair at age 42. My valve's been doing great for almost 22 years, but a recent echo showed an increased gradient and signs that it might be deteriorating. Having a TEE soon. Ugh. Hate them things. : )

Take care and best of luck.

 

[Jason]

I had my aortic valve replaced along with a ascending aortic aneurysm fix (dacron) in March of 2011 at the age of 36. I have had no issues whatsoever with the valve or the sleeve since that time, and have survived a move to Australia and back 7 years later, now living in Michigan. I was quite worried about warfarin treatment and management before the surgery, but since that time have become a professional self tester and self manager. Coming up on 10 years for me!

 

[drivetopless]

Got my On-x valve (AVR for bicuspid aortic valve) at age 46.8 in 2011. January will be my 10 year Valvesary. I would choose this valve again. 3 others in my family have/had BAV.

 

[W. Carter]

8 years and still clicking along. I might live forever !!

 

[Protimenow]

I think that, by now, your concerns about a mechanical valve have pretty much been eased.

I got my St. Jude valve 29 years ago (a relative newby, compared to some others), and have no problem with the valve. I've had some other cardiac issues -- arrhythmias, got a stent, had an ablation -- but none are related to the valve.
(I think I may have gotten my maternal grandfather's heart - he was dead before I was born, but a coronary apparently did him in).