Bjork-Shiley Mitral Valve

[Michelle B.]

I have had a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve now for 19 years. My new doctor seemed surprised that I have had valve for so long. He suggested I schedule myself to have it removed and replaced with up-to-date valve. He said this one could break and cause death. Is there anyone that have this kind of valve or no someone with it. For 2 years now I've had palpitations and I take toprol for them. I also take coumadin for the valve.

 

[Curtsmum]

Sorry i can't help, thats sounds so scarey, just wanted to wish you luck and i hope there is somebody who can help, all the best Paula x.

 

[Marty]

Ask Dr. Lefrak

Ask Dr. Lefrak

I have had a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve now for 19 years. My new doctor seemed surprised that I have had valve for so long. He suggested I schedule myself to have it removed and replaced with up-to-date valve. He said this one could break and cause death. Is there anyone that have this kind of valve or no someone with it. For 2 years now I've had palpitations and I take toprol for them. I also take coumadin for the valve.

I suggest you pose this question to Dr. Ed Lefrak My surgeon and the founding chief of heart surgery at Inova Fairfax. Dr. Lefrak trained by Dr. DeBakey and Dr. Starr wrote a book on mechanical heart valves in the early 70's. I'm sure he is familiar with the Bjork-Shiley and its longevity. Feel free to say you were referred by his patient and friend Marty Thomas.
edress= [email protected]

 

[Nancy]

My husband, Joe has had a Bjork-Shiley aortic valve for 28 years. There were some Bjork-Shileys that had a construction flaw, but that was early on. My husband's wasn't one of those. Those that did not have the flaw were made very ruggedly and work well.

Joe's is working well, so no one has ever mentioned replacing it.

If yours is not giving you any trouble, why "fix something that ain't broke"?

I would get a second opinion before submitting to a potentially unnecessary surgery.

 

[Michelle B.]

Bjork-Shiley Valve

Bjork-Shiley Valve

Nancy,


Thank you for replying, I feel better since I know I'm not the only one with the Bjork-Shiley mitral valve. My doctor made it seem as if no one else in the world has one. I have had one for 19 years and I am beginning to have other problems but the valve is working fine. I hope your husband continues to do great. Thank you.

 

[Nancy]

Michelle, enjoy your life. If there were a problem, you would have known long ago. Those valves are old clunkers by today's standards. I think of Joe's valve like an old "muscle car", heavy wide and long. They didn't call them "muscle" for nothing.

When the surgeon was implanting Joe's St. Jude mitral of the new sleek variety, he had to "fit" it into the heart because the Bjork took up so much room.

He's had a cath very recently, and it's still working fine.

The only problem that it has is that it does chew up his blood, causing hemolysis. But he takes meds for that and they work.

Of course, any valve can fail or the old stitches can develop a leak, but if your echoes or caths show no problem, then "enjoy.

 

[geebee]

Michelle,

The Bjork-Shiley CC valve was recalled in 1982. This was due to a number of people who died as a result of strut failure. However, the failures were all in the valves over 27mm. There was a huge class action lawsuit over the valve and many people decided to have them removed just in case.

I had one of these valves but it was a 25mm so it wasn't thought to be a problem. One of the reasons for my last OHS were symptoms consistent with strut failure (among other things) and we decided to replace it. I am not sure I would have gone in just to replace the BS valve, although had the symptoms increased, I might have reconsidered.

Your ID card should indicate whether you have the CC valve. I think there is a "C" in the serial number but it has been so long I am not positive. You might want to check the internet to find out more.

I think everyone with the CC valve received notice of the class action suit. If you did not, there is a chance you do not have one. I think they may have been pulled off the market by the time you had your valve implanted so you may have a later model.

 

[BDMc]

Still Ticking Too

Still Ticking Too

Michelle, I have a "Shiley" aortic valve. I never saw my serial # on the recall list, but was told that it fit the description of those recalled. I asked my surgeon about replacement back in the 80's. He said "We don't want to replace your valve." Bjork-Shiley filed for bankruptcy years ago, but most of their people are still in the industry. By some twist of fate I ended up serving a group of them at my job, and was able to have some interesting conversations. My take on it is that if they haven't broken yet, they may continue to last quite a while! I think you should find a doctor that's more familiar with these things. The valve might kill you, but an ignorant doctor is at least as dangerous! I had a PCP that was going to put me on vitamin K for an orthopedic surgery. I called my heart surgeon to consult, and he was furious! Probably saved my life! Never went back to that PCP! Take heart we're alive! Happy Thanksgiving! Brian

 

[ClickerTicker]

Last chance at the legal saloon

Last chance at the legal saloon

Our Daily Telegraph - a high circulation national broadsheet - had a substantial & prominent ad about the Bjork-Shiley valve today. Scanned version follows. I guess this is old news to you US folks, but first time I've noticed this class action in one of our rags.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BJORK-SHILEY CONVEXO-CONCAVE HEART VALVE IMPLANTEES
Re:Bowling, et al. v. Pfizer Inc., et al., United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Case No. C-1-91-256
You are urged to register as soon as possible with the Bowling Settlement Claims Administrator, if you have not already done so. If you have filed a Consultation Fund form, you have registered.
There will be no further formal notification issued about registration.
If you do not register, it may be impossible to contact you with information about your particular heart valve and about settlement benefits to which you may be entitled or to which you may later be entitled to receive. There is no cost or obligation incurred by you when registering.
You may do this by letter, telephone, fax, e-mail, or online:
Wayne Smith, Bowling Claims Administrator
Address: 525 Vine Street, Suite 2300,Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 USA
Telephone: +1-51 3-421 -4415 (English only)
Fax: +1-513-421 -7696
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.bowling-pfizer.com

 

[Nancy]

Is this supposed to be something new, in the newspaper? I thought any settlements made, were made a long, long time ago. I know that many people who had Bjork-Shiley valves (even if they didn't have the "bad ones" ), got a lifetime membership in MedicAlert and a nice MedicAlert medallion. Joe did, his valve is OK (28 years old), and still was last echo, just a couple of weeks ago. And that was supposed to be their class action settlement for those who suffered anxiety, etc, over the whole thing.

Unless some attorney is still trying to cash in, I'm clueless.

 

[Mary]

Nancy,
They list a website. You should check it, and see what they're saying.
Mary

 

[RCB]

Oh My God, I Have A 24 Year Old Bjork-Shiley

Oh My God, I Have A 24 Year Old Bjork-Shiley

I have had a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve now for 19 years. My new doctor seemed surprised that I have had valve for so long. He suggested I schedule myself to have it removed and replaced with up-to-date valve. He said this one could break and cause death. Is there anyone that have this kind of valve or no someone with it. For 2 years now I've had palpitations and I take toprol for them. I also take coumadin for the valve.

Not only that, but when I had surgery two years ago it was working so good,
they decided to leave it in. I wonder if your doctor should call up Cleveland Clinic and set them straight!

 

[Nancy]

I did a search on Google regarding the Bjork Shiley valves. The history of it is interesting and I learned quite a lot. Joe's valve is the original tilting disc model prior to it being redesigned to make it more efficient. His was implanted in 1977. The redesigned models were implanted from 1979 on and those are the ones that are involved.

Here are several web articles for those who are interested.

This is the FDA letter.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/1998/bjork.htm

http://www.healthdangers.com/medical-devices/bjork-shiley/

This last one is quite explosive and inflammatory, fair warning.
http://www.gregpalast.com/printerfriendly.cfm?artid=68