Carbon valves

[lynnebhunt]

Hi everyone --

My brother, a physician, mentioned something to me the other day that I haven't seen discussed -- or maybe it has been in the past, since I'm new.

He said there are new valves available, carbon valves, that don't require Coumadin. True? Does anyone know anything about them? My brother is NOT a heart doctor -- he lives in another state and hasn't as yet answered me with a request for more information. I thought I'd ask you all about it, since I've been reading all about the problems of living on coumadin.

Thanks.


Lynnebhunt

 

[Johnny Stephens]

It would be great if this were true. However, I have two St. Jude mechanicals, for which I take Coumadin. They're made of "Pyrolytic Carbon." This makes them extremely strong and highly biocompatible, but anticoagulation is still required. Mechanical valves made by other companies (i.e. Carbomedics and On-X) also use pyrolytic carbon.

 

[lynnebhunt]

Thanks

Thanks

It would be great if this were true. However, I have two St. Jude mechanicals, for which I take Coumadin. They're made of "Pyrolytic Carbon." This makes them extremely strong and highly biocompatible, but anticoagulation is still required. Mechanical valves made by other companies (i.e. Carbomedics and On-X) also use pyrolytic carbon.

Hi --

Ahh. Well, too bad I guess. Maybe they will invent something in the near future that won't require drugs and that will last.

Lynne

 

[tobagotwo]

They keep trying, Lynne. There are new types of polyeurethanes, and hyperslick pyrolytic carbons, experimental tissue treatments, and grow-your-own ("Chia") valves being developed and redeveloped all the time.

There are currently no artificial ("mechanical") valves that have been proven safe to use without warfarin act to prevent stroke. They are getting closer, though.

Someday...

Best wishes,

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hi --

Ahh. Well, too bad I guess. Maybe they will invent something in the near future that won't require drugs and that will last.

Lynne

I have no doubt that it will be invented, and like you I hope it's "near."