Do all mechanical valves leak?

[kingpeta]

I got my echo results via phone from the cardio's nurse today (I'm 9 months post-op). She said there was a "very minor" leak in my aortic valve. Nothing to worry about or do about it now but to come back in 6 months to keep an eye on it. I thought all mechanical valves leaked some amount? They gave me no numbers so I don't have a feel for how much is "very minor". Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[geebee]

I think they all do to some extent. I know mine has a "slight" leak that my cardio is somewhat concerned about but not too much. I have no idea what that really means so I am just trying to ignore it altogether.

 

[dkapuscik]

I just had my follow up yesterday, 3.5 weeks. Asked what the valve would withstand ie ripping lose or leaking. PA told me not going to happen. Shouldn't leak either through the valve or the material around it. Should not rip out no matter how hard I stressed it out as in weight lifting etc. Cardiologist said same thing. they say just need to wait for the sternum to heal.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

An echo tech that looked at my valve was quite impressed that it didn't leak around the incision area because she said that most do. When I told my surgeon how impressed she was, she said that they shouldn't leak between the valve and tissue, but St. Jude's are made to leak a little through the valve. He told me why, but I can't remember.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

That's what I was told by my cardio as well - that St. Judes (perhaps others too, I guess) are designed to "leak" a bit to provide some washing around the hinge points and where the leaflets meet. This is to prevent stagnation and thrombus formation in these spots.

Or so I was told.

 

[Sandy SHields]

I am not aware that mine has ever leaked the cardiologist has never mentioned it. always say's it looks great. I had mine replaced in 1983 with b-jork shiley mitral valve