Bovine Aortic Valve Turns 17

[johnnycake23]

Hello everyone, I just want to share that today marks the 17th anniversary of my visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for my tissue aortic valve replacement. By coincidence I saw my electrophysiologist today and all sounded good to him. The latest echo earlier this year came back normal. So, basically it's about as good as can be expected. Been keeping my weight down, eating fairly healthy but for an indulgence on many things sweet, for which I must admit I have a big weakness. But overall feeling fine, no issues.

This was my second OHS; first one was a repair job in 1993. I'm 58 now, and kind of on the cusp of SAVR vs. TAVR for the next surgery, whenever that will be. Longevity of TAVR and, more so in my case, VIVR is of great importance to me, but unfortunately there is scant literature in this particular area. But I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now I'm just chugging along.

Thank you for the support you provide. Have a great and safe upcoming holiday season.

 

[pellicle]

For now I'm just chugging along.

perfect ... here's to more years of chugging

 

[Bee]

Thanks for sharing your happy news! I am just two weeks out from my bovine valve replacement via OHS. If this could last 17 years (I’m 73) I would be over joyed…you have given me hope and encouragement to continue healthy living and losing those extra pounds.

 

[dornole]

Love that for you, here's hoping your bovine buddy remains your BFF for additional years.

 

[skeptic49]

17 years! That's great! Congratulations!

 

[Chuck C]

That's great news!! Here's to many more years!!

 

[johnnycake23]

Thanks for sharing your happy news! I am just two weeks out from my bovine valve replacement via OHS. If this could last 17 years (I’m 73) I would be over joyed…you have given me hope and encouragement to continue healthy living and losing those extra pounds.

Hi Bee, giving other tissue valvers hope is exactly why I post my anniversaries. Thank you for the good wishes.

 

[Beach77]

Congratulations! Awesome news!

 

[Habana58]

Great!, good luck with next op !!

 

[Pmacky09]

17 years! Wowsers, that's amazing! You are really giving those of us with newly installed bovine valves all the feels, @johnnycake23!

 

[johnnycake23]

17 years! Wowsers, that's amazing! You are really giving those of us with newly installed bovine valves all the feels, @johnnycake23!

I certainly hope so.

 

[Innovativebrain]

What make of valve did you have put in? And I appreciate the encouragement. 5 years in with me, and heading out next week on another 6 month mountain biking trip. (We do this every year, live in our truck camper and move from area to area)

 

[johnnycake23]

What make of valve did you have put in? And I appreciate the encouragement. 5 years in with me, and heading out next week on another 6 month mountain biking trip. (We do this every year, live in our truck camper and move from area to area)

Brain, it was a Carpentier-Edwards bovine valve. That's about all I remember about it, but whatever they were using back in 2007. Glad to be a source of encouragement. Good luck and be safe on your bike hike. Sounds like a fun life.

 

[HokieHaden]

Hello everyone, I just want to share that today marks the 17th anniversary of my visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for my tissue aortic valve replacement. By coincidence I saw my electrophysiologist today and all sounded good to him. The latest echo earlier this year came back normal. So, basically it's about as good as can be expected. Been keeping my weight down, eating fairly healthy but for an indulgence on many things sweet, for which I must admit I have a big weakness. But overall feeling fine, no issues.

This was my second OHS; first one was a repair job in 1993. I'm 58 now, and kind of on the cusp of SAVR vs. TAVR for the next surgery, whenever that will be. Longevity of TAVR and, more so in my case, VIVR is of great importance to me, but unfortunately there is scant literature in this particular area. But I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now I'm just chugging along.

Thank you for the support you provide. Have a great and safe upcoming holiday season.

Your story is a great encouragement to me and others here, I’m sure. My bovine aortic valve was installed about just over 1 year ago. Wishing you the very best health and holiday season!

 

[Gillian Hanson]

Brain, it was a Carpentier-Edwards bovine valve. That's about all I remember about it, but whatever they were using back in 2007. Glad to be a source of encouragement. Good luck and be safe on your bike hike. Sounds like a fun life.

 

[Gillian Hanson]

Hopefully members are aware that a bovine valve replacement means your original valve was large. Plenty big enough for your body mass. My human donor aortic valve replacement is too small for my body mass so my heart has to work harder, particularly now it is 24years old as I now have 2 paravalvular leaks. So size does matter if a person is on. If anyone has had an intervention with paravalvular leaks, and can tell me when 'noticeable' heart failure started, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Gillhan

 

[Gillian Hanson]

Hello everyone, I just want to share that today marks the 17th anniversary of my visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for my tissue aortic valve replacement. By coincidence I saw my electrophysiologist today and all sounded good to him. The latest echo earlier this year came back normal. So, basically it's about as good as can be expected. Been keeping my weight down, eating fairly healthy but for an indulgence on many things sweet, for which I must admit I have a big weakness. But overall feeling fine, no issues.

This was my second OHS; first one was a repair job in 1993. I'm 58 now, and kind of on the cusp of SAVR vs. TAVR for the next surgery, whenever that will be. Longevity of TAVR and, more so in my case, VIVR is of great importance to me, but unfortunately there is scant literature in this particular area. But I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now I'm just chugging along.

Thank you for the support you provide. Have a great and safe upcoming holiday season.

Hello everyone, I just want to share that today marks the 17th anniversary of my visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for my tissue aortic valve replacement. By coincidence I saw my electrophysiologist today and all sounded good to him. The latest echo earlier this year came back normal. So, basically it's about as good as can be expected. Been keeping my weight down, eating fairly healthy but for an indulgence on many things sweet, for which I must admit I have a big weakness. But overall feeling fine, no issues.

This was my second OHS; first one was a repair job in 1993. I'm 58 now, and kind of on the cusp of SAVR vs. TAVR for the next surgery, whenever that will be. Longevity of TAVR and, more so in my case, VIVR is of great importance to me, but unfortunately there is scant literature in this particular area. But I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now I'm just chugging along.

Thank you for the support you provide. Have a great and safe upcoming holiday season.

When I had open heart surgery (when 58yrs old) I had a small human aortic valve implanted which is now, 24yrs later, too small for my body mass. My latest Echo shows 2 paravalvular leaks from the donated valve. There are 2 types of intervention I know of - plugging the leak or a TAVI but, due to my small valve and old age (82) neither would be successful as the TAVI implant would reduce the size of my valve. Also be aware that TAVI's have a higher risk of paravalvular leaks! So look after your existing valve while youve got it. Gillhan

 

[d333gs]

Hello everyone, I just want to share that today marks the 17th anniversary of my visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for my tissue aortic valve replacement. By coincidence I saw my electrophysiologist today and all sounded good to him. The latest echo earlier this year came back normal. So, basically it's about as good as can be expected. Been keeping my weight down, eating fairly healthy but for an indulgence on many things sweet, for which I must admit I have a big weakness. But overall feeling fine, no issues.

This was my second OHS; first one was a repair job in 1993. I'm 58 now, and kind of on the cusp of SAVR vs. TAVR for the next surgery, whenever that will be. Longevity of TAVR and, more so in my case, VIVR is of great importance to me, but unfortunately there is scant literature in this particular area. But I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now I'm just chugging along.

Thank you for the support you provide. Have a great and safe upcoming holiday season.

17 years is fantastic! Do you exercise much or are you living a quiet lifestyle?

 

[johnnycake23]

Triple 3, I ride my stationary bike five days a week for about 30 minutes, plus abs and stretching exercises, and some light use of weights. No longer play hockey, haven't done it since the surgery. Was a little skittish about strenuous activity after the surgery, and I never laced them up again. I miss it terribly. And I walk outside a lot, weather permitting. Definitely not one to sit on my duff.

 

[d333gs]

Triple 3, I ride my stationary bike five days a week for about 30 minutes, plus abs and stretching exercises, and some light use of weights. No longer play hockey, haven't done it since the surgery. Was a little skittish about strenuous activity after the surgery, and I never laced them up again. I miss it terribly. And I walk outside a lot, weather permitting. Definitely not one to sit on my duff.

Good to hear about the bike , too bad about the hockey but I too would be squirmish about a hard check against the boards after OHS.
There are suggestions out there, that if you are very active, you may shorten the life of a bioprosthetic valve. I hope I get 17 years out of mine.

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