ATS Medical Mechanical Valve

[JimBob]

New User - First Post - Not Even Sure I'm In the Right Place!!

I had an emergency AVR performed in July, 2005 and sure wish I had known about this support group. We had so many "dumb" questions and we had no idea who to ask. There were so many changes, so fast - we didn't even know what we didn't know.

My question involves ATS Medical mechanical valves - do I have the only one in existence? Looks to me like most of us have St. Jude valves.

I went to the ATS Medical web site and discovered I have a model 503DA22 AP Series valve - COOL! (Or at least it should be for $26,705.) Is this something new? I remember my surgeon asking me to sign something that allowed a representative from ATS to be in the operating room (seemed a little strange to me at the time, but I couldn't think of any real objections.). At any rate, I am curious as to how the ATS valves hold up, any known issues, what experiences others have had, that sort of thing.

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of our support group.

Oh, and by the way, geebee, bless you. You obviously put your heart and soul into helping others!

 

[geebee]

Welcome, JimBob.
I used to have a doctor named JimBob - great guy so I feel a connection with you already.
I do not know much about the ATS valve but I am sure there are others here who will come along with information. Most of us have St. Jude valves because it is the tried and true. However, there are many other great valves out there that will probably become much more utilized as time goes on.
Thank you for the compliment. I do try to make a difference as I sure wish I had such a website when I had my surgeries. Nothing quite like communicating with those folks who have been there, done that.

 

[sue943]

I have two ATS valves. No one told me that there were choices, I just said that I would have mechanical, I got ATS. My aortic is a 18mm AP 501DA18 and my mitral is a 27mm 500DM27.

Is that $26,705 the price of the valve or the whole operation? My two valves cost £4,892.48 between them, then I had to pay the surgeon £2,843.00, then the other costs like accommodation, anaethetist and so forth, total cost was £27,274.78 including eleven days in hospital.

It was disconcerting to see how few there appears to be around here but mine seems to be ticking along nicely, even if very quietly.

 

[tobagotwo]

ATS is a mainstream valve, and a top manufacturer. You've got a great valve. Other well-known carbon valves are St. Jude, On-X, and Sorin (Carbomedics in the US).

It's in the top four. All of these are top-level valves.

Best wishes,

 

[JimBob]

Just the Valve

Just the Valve

Sue,

No the $26,000 was just for the valve. The hospital bill alone was $180,000. Throw in the surgeon and other surgical personnel, ambulance, cardiologist, emergency room, x-ray personnel, janitors and parking lot attendants we're at a nice round $239,000. Some fun!

 

[sue943]

How on earth can they justify that cost? I had my operation in a private hospital (one with a wine list in the room and a complimentary flower arrangement!) with all the doctors working on a private basis so theoretically it ought to cost the same as anywhere else without a government paid, or subsidised, health system. My total cost included eleven days in hospital, not just a few days, and all ancillary costs. The conversion works out at about $47,613.68, the two valves cost $8,540.82, so presumably $4,270.41 each including any profit mark-up. Someone is making one heck of a lot of profit.

Obviously had I not chosen to 'go private' it would have been free, I would have had the same surgeon and cardiologist.

 

[terryj]

My husband got the ATS aortic mechanical valve on 09/11/01. That was the one his surgeon recommended. He will have his yearly check up this Friday. So far all his echos have been great and shown own minimal leakage which his doctor says is fairly normal leakage for any 56 year old.

 

[Brent D]

I had the same Valve put in in July of 2005 as well. Were you at Baylor Hospital? We may have been in there at the same time!! As for the valve, I have had no problems, and like you, mine was kind of emergency. Cardio decided it was time, and we did it 3 days later.

I have not felt better in a couple of years than I do now.

 

[JimBob]

Brent,

Nope, not at Baylor. Had mine done at Denton Regional - close to home and they really do have an exceptional cardiac floor.