Anti-coagulant Queston

[tex4ever54]

One of the reasons I chose mechanical over a tissue valve was that I was more willing to bet on science finding a better drug for anti-coag than coumadin than I was for a tissue valve lasting for more than 15 to 20 years. During my limited research on possible coumadin replacements, I have come across only Exanta. Do any of you know of any other possibilities looming on the horizon?

Thanks in Advance!!!
(21 days till avr)

 

[Ross]

Not to my knowledge. Exanta isn't even being considered now.

 

[RCB]

There are other compounds being studied for ACT, but not for valves.
Most of the names are unpronounceable and unspellable. It will be many years till something will replaces warfarin.

 

[Moo]

Option.

Option.

My On-X valve has the possiblilty of NO COUMADIN... i.e. aspirin only. Nothing is certain but it seems possible and is working nicely in Germany. And even if that doesn't work out, the valve has much better tolerance to INR fluctuations than most other valves and should therefore be more adaptable to new drugs.

Just my $.02

 

[tommy]

Hey Tex,

I wish you well with your AVR.
Where are you having it done?

 

[tex4ever54]

6 days till avr

6 days till avr

Hey Tex,

I wish you well with your AVR.
Where are you having it done?

I am having my surgery done at Baylor Medical in Dallas, Texas. Surgeon is Baron Hamman. Thanks for the thoughts!!

 

[tex4ever54]

Thanks Moo

Thanks Moo

My On-X valve has the possiblilty of NO COUMADIN... i.e. aspirin only. Nothing is certain but it seems possible and is working nicely in Germany. And even if that doesn't work out, the valve has much better tolerance to INR fluctuations than most other valves and should therefore be more adaptable to new drugs.

Just my $.02

Just to let you know, I am also getting an On-x valve. I based my decision on exactly the reasons you state in your post. I got the first info about the valve from one of your earlier posts and decided to look into it further. Reading about the studies going on in Germany and the one completed in South Afrika pretty much sold me on it. Thanks for the info!!!!

 

[Randy & Robyn]

Good choice

Good choice

Just to let you know, I am also getting an On-x valve. I based my decision on exactly the reasons you state in your post. I got the first info about the valve from one of your earlier posts and decided to look into it further. Reading about the studies going on in Germany and the one completed in South Afrika pretty much sold me on it. Thanks for the info!!!!

For what it's worth, I, too, think you will be getting the best mechanical valve available, Tex. I am heading for surgery myself in the next few months and have certainly done my homework. I actually have the official On-X manual sent from the manufacturer and have read through nearly every page.

Granted, much of the material in the book as well as on their website is aimed at one purpose...selling their product. But when you also take a good long look at the clinical studies, their claims seem to hold up.

 

[Ross]

POOP you two are making me mad. I wanted the ON-X, my surgeon wanted to use the ON-X, but I got a St. Jude because our dear buddy ON-X didn't have a model with a graft sleeve attached.

 

[Randy & Robyn]

POOP you two are making me mad. I wanted the ON-X, my surgeon wanted to use the ON-X, but I got a St. Jude because our dear buddy ON-X didn't have a model with a graft sleeve attached.

St. Jude is considered the gold standard, Ross. Very hard to argue with that.

My cardiologist probably won't be happy if I get the On-X. He says it is unproven and it would be unethical to use it. Of course, that is probably because they don't have it at the hospital where he practices. And I would consider it just as unethical to have my surgery there anyway since their mortality rates are abysmal for valve replacement surgery.

I think the On-X has proven itself quite well so far but I certainly wouldn't berate the St. Jude and its excellent track record.

Randy

 

[Ross]

Yes and notice it's the CARDIOLOGIST and not the SURGEON! My Surgeon had nothing but utter respect for the valve. He out right told me it's the best on the market currently. I'm beginning to think that Cardiologists are highly over paid, misinformed students and not real Doctors.

 

[tex4ever54]

St. Jude is considered the gold standard, Ross. Very hard to argue with that.

My cardiologist probably won't be happy if I get the On-X. He says it is unproven and it would be unethical to use it. Of course, that is probably because they don't have it at the hospital where he practices. And I would consider it just as unethical to have my surgery there anyway since their mortality rates are abysmal for valve replacement surgery.

I think the On-X has proven itself quite well so far but I certainly wouldn't berate the St. Jude and its excellent track record.

Randy

My surgeon did not use the valve either when I first inquired about it so I called the manufacturers directly. After speaking with them they sent a sales team to meet with Dr. Hamman the next day. He spoke with them and he agreed to implant the On-x valve. He said that the valve was at least on par with the SJM valves and he understood the rational behind my preference. The only reasons he had not used it yet was that the hospital had just done business with St. Judes in the past and the On-X has not been proven to be better than the St. Judes. On-X is sending out their implant specialist to assist the surgery so I feel pretty comfortable with me being the first On-X for Dr. Hamman.

 

[Moo]

?

?

St. Jude is considered the gold standard, Ross. Very hard to argue with that.
...

I think the On-X has proven itself quite well so far but I certainly wouldn't berate the St. Jude and its excellent track record.

Randy

Just out of curiosity?

Why do people always assume if you choose the On-X Valve, you are saying something negative about the St. Judes valves? While the St. Judes may be a great valve, it lacks one major thing, a chance to be aspirin only. And being a new kid on the block, only time will tell if it is as good, or is even better than the St. Judes.

I can't wait until I can look at a knife again without getting nervous, play paintball, play football, etc...

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Rich

 

[Moo]

lol...

lol...

My cardiologist probably won't be happy if I get the On-X. He says it is unproven and it would be unethical to use it.

Randy

Is there a jar of leeches and a lobotomy drill next to his blood pressure cuff?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Rich

 

[Emma]

on-x

on-x

I think a lot of people have picked up I'm an ON-X advocate by now! LOL
My daughter has had On-X mitral valve for 4 years (well - 4 years this June) and it's excellent - still ticking away nice and loudly - soooooo reassuring for me to hear! And no leaks around it - even better! She was the first UK child to get one so her surgeon had been to America, researched it and was pretty sure on its pro points to be the first UK surgeon to use it on children.
I have been convinced of its merits my many, many people now - not least, Chloe's surgeon and contacts direct at the makers of On-X. Again - not to say St Judes isn't excellent too - i know many people who have one who are just as happy with that as well!
My fingers are always crossed for an alernative to warfarin - or even better - the no warfarin thing! But I'm not holding my breath - Chloe could be collecting her pension before that happens at the rate things seem to be moving at present!
Emma
xxx

 

[Randy & Robyn]

Is there a jar of leeches and a lobotomy drill next to his blood pressure cuff?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Rich

To be honest, I asked my cardiologist what he thought of the On-X and he asked me what it was! Then he asked me to tell him about it. I gave him a quick summary of how well the clinical studies were going. That's when he gave me the 'unethical and unproven' speech.

How can someone in his field be completely ignorant of a prosthetic valve that has been around for years and is generating the kind of attention that the On-X is?

I ran into the same issue when I called, of all places, Cleveland Clinic. I was not allowed to talk to Dr. Cosgrove so I had a conversation with his assistant who was extremely knowledgeable in every aspect of valve replacement...except did not have a clue what the On-X was. Even if they don't use it, you would expect them to be familiar with it.

Randy

 

[Ross]

Randy they are, they just don't want to let on to it. They know full well about them. It's just like with home testing INR. They all act like it's something new and never done before, yet you know full well Medicare has given them instructions on reimbursement and such. Must be nice to be able to play ignorant whenever necessary.

 

[Randy & Robyn]

Randy they are, they just don't want to let on to it. They know full well about them. It's just like with home testing INR. They all act like it's something new and never done before, yet you know full well Medicare has given them instructions on reimbursement and such. Must be nice to be able to play ignorant whenever necessary.

Seeing all of the deceit, greed and bureaucracy displayed by so-called professionals in this field is almost as depressing as my condition.

Thank goodness I have found some truly caring and genuinely knowledgeable people here at this site.