Another valve question.

Curtsmum · Mar 5, 2009

Its got me wondering now? As we have no choice because Curtis as a rare defect he will be having a mechanical valve, hopefully he will be able to last out until he is 18.
I have taken a quote from Tex - and with me only been 45 he said that hopefully this could last a life time.
I know that things can still go wrong with mechanical valves but do you think they would tell a 18 year old that it would last a life time or is there say like a time limet of 50yrs ect?????????????????
Thanks if anyone can help.

Karlynn · Mar 5, 2009

Paula, I think the bottom line is - no one knows. It will primarily depend on how Curtis' body responds to the valve when it comes to tissue growth. Dick 0236's valve is going to be 42 years old this year and it's the old Starr-Edwards ball and cage style. With the new valves these days, I think saying they COULD last a lifetime is not stretching the truth for an 18 year old. The caveat is the issue of how each individual's body assimilates the valve.

geebee · Mar 5, 2009

Nothing actually goes wrong with a mechanical valve (unless there is a manufacturing defect like with the Bjork-Shiley) to cause failure. It is the person's system that causes issues like scar tissue buildup, etc. Therefore, the statement that the mechanical valve can last a lifetime is correct. If you are one of the lucky ones who does not produce a lot of scar tissue, and the valve is sewn in properly, it could truly not need to be replaced no matter what the age of the person receiving it.

dick0236 · Mar 5, 2009

Curtsmum said:
I know that things can still go wrong with mechanical valves but do you think they would tell a 18 year old that it would last a life time or is there say like a time limet of 50yrs ect?????????????????
Thanks if anyone can help.

Who knows. The advances in valve replacement have come a LONG, LONG, LONG way.....and there is no reason not to say that a mechanical valve can last a lifetime.

When I got mine, they told me 50 years. Now they tell me....." while you will die someday, it will probably not be from valve failure"

.

Valve surgery has nearly doubled my life expectancy, from age 40??? to age 73+++.

By the time your son gets close to 50 years, who knows what the state of the science will be

.

pstarr · Mar 5, 2009

mechanical valve

mechanical valve

Hi;
My surgeon told me that mechanical valves last 30 or more years especially if it's a newer "model" like the ON-X. He told me they never wear out. All the best. Good luck!!

briansmom · Mar 5, 2009

Brian got his at 16 and his docs are "assuming" it will last his lifetime. It is certainly the only kind of valve for someone that age that "could" last his lifetime.

Again, we really hope that the On-X trial proves that they can have very low anticoagulation so that the mechanical question will really not be a big deal.

I know Curt will do well. It is absolutely amazing what the human body can do, especially in childhood. Look at what my son and Lyn's son have been through and they still manage to live relatively normal lives.

I wish you peace with all the decisions that you have to make for Curt. I know how hard that is.

Curtsmum · Mar 6, 2009

Thanks, feel better now. Sometimes i just think to much.

mattwisconsin · Mar 6, 2009

I got mine at 13. I was told that it could last a lifetime. They didn't know. They seem to have lasted as long as they have been around. I am now 31 and recently had endocarditis. This has possibly compromised the valve and they may need to replace it. It is not certain yet. However, the valve did not malfunction and in fact is still going strong, minus the possible damage caused by the infection.