Carpentier Edwards versus other bovine pericardial valves?

[rlarson]

I am a nearly 63 year-old male in need of an aortic valve replacement (AVR). The only anticoagulant I take at present is one baby (81 mg) aspiriin/day. Therefore, both my cardiologist and I are in favor of replacing my natural aortic valve with a bovine pericardial valve.

I have read a lot of good things about the Carpentier-Edwards (CE) bovine pericardial valve and especially their relatively new model, the PERIMOUNT Magna valve. In particular, the Cleveland Clinic uses Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial valves a lot and have published a number of favorable studies on the valve's history in patients. These are excellent recommendations (especially for older patients) from one of the best heart hospitals in the US, but for completeness if nothing else, I am curious how the competition compares to the above CE valve(s).

In particular my question is, does anyone know of another bovine pericardial valve that they would recommend over the above CE valve? While I have found comparative studies suggesting that the CE bovine pericardial valve is superior to some porcine valves, I have not been successful in locating any studies that do comparisons AMONG various bovine pericardial valves. In fact, it is difficult for me to know just what the competition IS with the CE bovine pericardial valve.

I'm off to talk to a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston about this next Friday and I would appreciate any information any of you might have on this subject.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Look here:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showpost.php?p=154333&postcount=3

the second article is a post-op comparison of four models of bio-prosthesis -- three stented bovine and one stented porcine, the relevant numbers compared seem to be the hemodynamics in terms of "Effective Orifice Area" and the pressure gradient across the valve and a measure of patient prosthesis mismatch (EOAI), they make specific recommendations in the conclusion.

This study says it was manufacturer supported ( paid for the post-op echos ).

 

[tobagotwo]

The CEPM has the longest track record (in its untreated form) of the bovine valves, and it is an excellent one. The valve has since received treatments for anticalcification, and is now preserved in a non-pressure manner that does not damage the valve tissue. At your age, it should do its full expectation, being 20-25 years.

The information above was most focussed on those with smaller annulus size, but is still relevent. The pressure through a CEPM valve at all normal ranges is fully low enough to promote remodelling after surgery to the heart's normal proportions.

I like my current porcine valve just fine, but I plan for my next valve to be the CEPM or its successor.

Best wishes,

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, I have the Carpentier-Edwards bovine valve, I had my surgery in July. I am doing very well, my research and also my surgeons recomendations left me no doubt that it was the one I wanted. I am 59 and hope to have this for a good long time.. Good luck with your choice, please keep us posted.. Rose