D
Dmcginn
Are you comfortable now with the idea of another surgery? You don't sound like you are worried about that at all.
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Are you comfortable now with the idea of another surgery? You don't sound like you are worried about that at all.
sue943
Well-known member
The evening before my surgery the surgeon came to see me and asked whether I wanted tissue or mechanical. I told him that I didn't really want to take warfarin but on the other hand at 57 the chances of needing a re-op at 70 wasn't something I relished so would opt for mechanical.
Warfarin doesn't really affect my life at all other than checking with the pharmacist before I buy any OTC medication. I drink if I want a drink which isn't too often, certainly not daily but when I do drink I don't binge, just stick to moderation.
Warfarin doesn't really affect my life at all other than checking with the pharmacist before I buy any OTC medication. I drink if I want a drink which isn't too often, certainly not daily but when I do drink I don't binge, just stick to moderation.
VikiVix
Well-known member
Yes, I'm totally comfortable with the fact that when this "moo-moo" valve wears out that I'll still have another chance at adding even more years to my life. I have a wonderful cardiologist who is blunt and to the point and very honest with me so I trust what he's told me about that.
I figure my now 2 year old valve has at least 8-15 more years to go. However, it's truly up to God to decide how long He'll keep me on earth. He's blessed me with the 2nd chance at life and after all the third time's a charm!
I figure my now 2 year old valve has at least 8-15 more years to go. However, it's truly up to God to decide how long He'll keep me on earth. He's blessed me with the 2nd chance at life and after all the third time's a charm!
DeWayne
Well-known member
For me it was the toughest part of the whole ordeal, picking the valve. I had reservations about coumadin based on my mothe's experience with it, I had reservations about the valve noise and my surgeon was the one that had recommended the tissue valve. I had my Niece who worked at the Mayo Clinic in the cardio area, and I pumped her for info, and asked he to point blank ask the best surgeon she knew one question.
"if this was you and you had to pick for yourself which way would you go based on neing 52 YO and in good health otherwise. His repsonse was he would do tissue with the aortic replacement, mechanical if it was just the valve".
It comforted me to know that fit what I had decided. Once I had that behind me the rest of it was a breeze up to surgery.
"if this was you and you had to pick for yourself which way would you go based on neing 52 YO and in good health otherwise. His repsonse was he would do tissue with the aortic replacement, mechanical if it was just the valve".
It comforted me to know that fit what I had decided. Once I had that behind me the rest of it was a breeze up to surgery.
Ross
Well-known member
On thing no one can predict is how your first or subsequent surgeries will go. Some go in, have it done and it's text book, others like myself, go in and literally go through hell. This is my sole reason for telling everyone that there is no way I want to see them go through another surgery if possible. I've been hated for saying this by some and praised and thanked by others. Fact of the matter is, no one knows what your experience is going to be. It could be great or it could be a nightmare. I'm not trying to scare you, but give you the truth as I see it and have lived with.
K
Karlynn
Well, I'm 17+ years on Coumadin and I'm writing this as I sip my rum and Coke.
I don't give a second thought to what I eat or drink as far as my Coumadin goes. Weight - now that's another story! I would suggest reading the Sticky posts in the Anticoagulation forum. I, like Ross, can say that without a doubt the biggest problem with Coumadin is having a doctor and support staff that truly understand how the drug works. If you go mechanical - let your doctor know you plan on home testing as well and would like to self-dose. If he balks at it, ask him if he'd make a diabetic come into the office to test and call for dosing instructions. It's a finger stick, a drop of blood and there you go!
You'll be able to figure out how comfortable you are with the choices. Knowledge is power, the more you know the less uncertain you will feel.
I don't give a second thought to what I eat or drink as far as my Coumadin goes. Weight - now that's another story! I would suggest reading the Sticky posts in the Anticoagulation forum. I, like Ross, can say that without a doubt the biggest problem with Coumadin is having a doctor and support staff that truly understand how the drug works. If you go mechanical - let your doctor know you plan on home testing as well and would like to self-dose. If he balks at it, ask him if he'd make a diabetic come into the office to test and call for dosing instructions. It's a finger stick, a drop of blood and there you go!
You'll be able to figure out how comfortable you are with the choices. Knowledge is power, the more you know the less uncertain you will feel.
Dmcginn,
Hey man,
Only you can decide which valve is right for you. Here is what I selected and a few reasons why I chose it.
I'm 53 and got a tissue (cow) valve last March. The way I finally approached the decision was that both valve types were good choices and would provide positive outcomes, but each choice carried associated risks and responsibilities. Each person should base their decision on their ability and interest in accepting those risks and responsibilities or based on their desire to avoid certain aspects inherent in each choice.
For many mechanical valvers, it's a choice to avoid future surgery that drives their decision. I also struggled with the mech. vs tissue valve decision. MY main struggle was to obtain useful and honest information about the effects of ACT (anti-coagulation therapy) and how it might affect my life-style. For me, I chose a tissue valve and accepted the risk of another re-op in order to avoid what I finally perceived were the daily risks of managing between clotting and bleeding associated with mechanical valves and ACT. I felt that ACT would complicate or would require a drastic change in my life-style .
I had OHS as a kid and I was willing to accept even another (3rd) if necessary. Right now I have no regrets, but I do sometimes think (worry?) about whether I will have adequate insurance if and when a re-op is needed.
Please beware I am not anti-mechanical valve or anti-warfarin. I was on warfarin for 6 months and had no problems.
Good luck, once you decide to have the surgery, either choice is a very good one and should improve the quality and quantity of your life. Once you make you valve choice adjust your life to that choice and never look back.
Take care my friend,
John
Hey man,
Only you can decide which valve is right for you. Here is what I selected and a few reasons why I chose it.
I'm 53 and got a tissue (cow) valve last March. The way I finally approached the decision was that both valve types were good choices and would provide positive outcomes, but each choice carried associated risks and responsibilities. Each person should base their decision on their ability and interest in accepting those risks and responsibilities or based on their desire to avoid certain aspects inherent in each choice.
For many mechanical valvers, it's a choice to avoid future surgery that drives their decision. I also struggled with the mech. vs tissue valve decision. MY main struggle was to obtain useful and honest information about the effects of ACT (anti-coagulation therapy) and how it might affect my life-style. For me, I chose a tissue valve and accepted the risk of another re-op in order to avoid what I finally perceived were the daily risks of managing between clotting and bleeding associated with mechanical valves and ACT. I felt that ACT would complicate or would require a drastic change in my life-style .
I had OHS as a kid and I was willing to accept even another (3rd) if necessary. Right now I have no regrets, but I do sometimes think (worry?) about whether I will have adequate insurance if and when a re-op is needed.
Please beware I am not anti-mechanical valve or anti-warfarin. I was on warfarin for 6 months and had no problems.
Good luck, once you decide to have the surgery, either choice is a very good one and should improve the quality and quantity of your life. Once you make you valve choice adjust your life to that choice and never look back.
Take care my friend,
John
Jane E
Active member
endless appreciation
endless appreciation
Thanks to everyone who shares experiences and thought processes on this 'choosing' issue. I am taking it all in and it is a terrible chunk to digest. I hope I can come to the peaceful decision you have all made with time to spare. Keep sharing, being blunt and generous. Janie
endless appreciation
Thanks to everyone who shares experiences and thought processes on this 'choosing' issue. I am taking it all in and it is a terrible chunk to digest. I hope I can come to the peaceful decision you have all made with time to spare. Keep sharing, being blunt and generous. Janie
The good thing regarding valve replacemnet is there is really no bad choice, (well except to not have it when needed)
Each patient is different and usually surgeons/centers have their preferences, but
FWIW Cleveland Clinic uses Bovine Valves in a great majority of their patients now, I only mention them because they do the most valve surgeries in the US and post alot of their info and stats. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/valve/youngvalve.aspx
... Studies on the PERIMOUNT pericardial valve have shown that in a 40-year-old patient, these valves have a 50 percent chance of lasting 15 years or longer, without decline in function. In younger patients, these valves will not last as long, but will still last longer than previous generations of bioprostheses. In older patients they will last longer...
Here is a PDF of the 2007 out comes. It's pretty long, but valves start on page 20. They did over 2000 valve surgeries in 07 and over 1000 aortic valves. around 1200 of the Aortic valves replacements got tissue and 200 mech.
But as you can see from the forum most if not all people are very happy with their choice and are living good lives.
Each patient is different and usually surgeons/centers have their preferences, but
FWIW Cleveland Clinic uses Bovine Valves in a great majority of their patients now, I only mention them because they do the most valve surgeries in the US and post alot of their info and stats. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/valve/youngvalve.aspx
... Studies on the PERIMOUNT pericardial valve have shown that in a 40-year-old patient, these valves have a 50 percent chance of lasting 15 years or longer, without decline in function. In younger patients, these valves will not last as long, but will still last longer than previous generations of bioprostheses. In older patients they will last longer...
Here is a PDF of the 2007 out comes. It's pretty long, but valves start on page 20. They did over 2000 valve surgeries in 07 and over 1000 aortic valves. around 1200 of the Aortic valves replacements got tissue and 200 mech.
But as you can see from the forum most if not all people are very happy with their choice and are living good lives.
Montrealer
Well-known member
I`m 50 and with a mechanical. I`m not going to repeat what pretty much everybody has said so here it it. I drink beer every Tuesday nite 4-8 pints. Thursday it`s wine nite at the Bistro 1 litre of red. And in between a few scotches. Week-ends a glass of wine here and there. To some of you it may sound like a lot but compared to the past this is nothing. I eat my greens everyday and get tested every two weeks.
All I got to say is that all this Coumadin scare is much ado about nothing. Stay away from benders whether it be the alcohol type or the vitamin K and life`s peachy.
The alcohol scare is due to the fact if abused it may lead to ulcers which causes internal bleeding. Too much of anything is a bad thing so just use common sense. The way I look at coumadin and a mechanical valve is simple...........I may get hit by a bus tomorrow so what the Hell.........You don`t have to give up your life because of Coumadin.
All I got to say is that all this Coumadin scare is much ado about nothing. Stay away from benders whether it be the alcohol type or the vitamin K and life`s peachy.
The alcohol scare is due to the fact if abused it may lead to ulcers which causes internal bleeding. Too much of anything is a bad thing so just use common sense. The way I look at coumadin and a mechanical valve is simple...........I may get hit by a bus tomorrow so what the Hell.........You don`t have to give up your life because of Coumadin.
pamela
Well-known member
When I was first diagnosed bicuspid the stentless freestyle porcine valve was a relative new-comer to the game. I had explored travelling to Calgary to have a Ross procedure but through my own research and my cardiologist pointing out that if I chose that, then I'd be essentially having 2 valve replacements.
Now, knowing more about BAV and the associated genetic traits in my arterial tissue, not to mention my pannus formation, I'm glad I decided to go with the surgeon (I'd asked about the valve before he even brought up his part in the Canadian trials) and opted for my Medtronic then and in the subsequent surgery where he also had to use the aortic root graft because of dilation.
Even though a third OHS hovers in the dim murkiness of an abstract "future" I remain undaunted. I have had my life handed back to me twice (probably more, but I'm just concentrating on heart related issues) and I'm confident that I'll outlive this valve too...
Cardiac surgeons best be prepared, I'm comin'.
Now, knowing more about BAV and the associated genetic traits in my arterial tissue, not to mention my pannus formation, I'm glad I decided to go with the surgeon (I'd asked about the valve before he even brought up his part in the Canadian trials) and opted for my Medtronic then and in the subsequent surgery where he also had to use the aortic root graft because of dilation.
Even though a third OHS hovers in the dim murkiness of an abstract "future" I remain undaunted. I have had my life handed back to me twice (probably more, but I'm just concentrating on heart related issues) and I'm confident that I'll outlive this valve too...
Cardiac surgeons best be prepared, I'm comin'.
