Dual Heart Valves

[Chester5er]

Hi All,

Long time, first time.

I had a MVR in February of 02. At that time, I had an enlarged Aortic Root (3.9cm) but the the aortic valve looked fine so the surgeon elected not to mess with the aorta at all. I think that was the right call at the time. The biopsy of the aorta showed some weakness, but not a full blown weakness.
However, the aorta is growing (4.5x4.8) so surgery is coming soon--like June (Gulp!). The surgeon is on top of it and wants to get to it sooner than later.
The aneurysm is right by the valve, thus the new valve along with the aortic root. the rest of the valve looks great, just that one little spot; plus the biopsy was pretty favorable.

I am 38, and normally very active and prior to this was riding about 100 miles weekly at a decent pace.

So ...my questions are:

1) Are there any other dual heart valve people here?

2) How in the heck do you feel?

3) The surgeon says no restrictions after all is well, and I fully intend to cycle agressively as possible this fall ... is this doable?

One more thing, I am glad they found it, and look at this as a good thing.

Thanks All

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hello Chester5er - yes there are a few of us on the site that are dual-valvers. I had 2 Mechanical valves implanted in 2002 - to replace my native valves which were irradiated to treat Hodgkin's disease in 1980. I was very symptomatic by the time I had surgery, so I feel a LOT better now. I'm struggling with other health issues now.

I think how one feels after surgery depends a lot on your circumstances - if you're asymptomatic (you don't mention how you're feeling NOW) and in good shape before, you'll probably emerge feeling much the same. It sounds like your valve isn't the problem, but will be replaced anyway as part of the aneurism repair. You've been through this before, so you have some idea of the assault your body undergoes.

When you say you want to cycle as agressively as possible this fall, I'm not sure what to tell you. I wouldn't be surprised if you could do some riding, but you should focus on doing what's best for your health (it may be riding is exactly right for you). Some people bounce back from this surgery like it was a minor inconvenience. Others (like myself) have a tougher time with it. You sound very active, so that's definitely in your favor.

In any case, don't set yourself up for disappointment if you're not able to set records on your bike - this is your 2nd operation and you were younger the first time around.

 

[John & Joann]

Dual Valves for Joann since 1971. Also several other issues. Life is good some days, fair some days, and lower than Whale poop some days.

We are in a down cycle for the past 3 weeks, but next week may be better. RV to 46 of the 48 states and much of Canada with the dual valves.

The valves are better than the alternatives.

 

[Kathleen]

Dual valves

Dual valves

I have had two St Judes valves for 20 years now. I cannot imagine you will feel any different than you did after your MVR. It took some time after the surgery to feel better since I had some major complications and it was the second time into the chest. I was 35 years old at the time of implant. Years later many other heart issues have arisen but thinking back the first years after the valves were put in I did well and had three young children to take care of.
Kathy

 

[Chester5er]

Second Heart Valve

Second Heart Valve

Hi All,

Long time, first time.

I accidently posted this in the wrong forum, so if you have seen this before sorry!

I had a MVR in February of 02. At that time, I had an enlarged Aortic Root (3.9cm) but the the aortic valve looked fine so the surgeon elected not to mess with the aorta at all. I think that was the right call at the time. The biopsy of the aorta showed some weakness, but not a full blown weakness.
However, the aorta is growing (4.5x4.8) so surgery is coming soon--like June (Gulp!). The surgeon is on top of it and wants to get to it sooner than later (I am a questionable marfans patient).



The aneurysm is right by the valve, thus the new valve along with the aortic root. The rest of the aorta looks great, just that one little spot by the valve; plus the biopsy was pretty favorable at least as far as not being "marfanic" if you will.

I am 38, have no symptoms, normally very active and prior to this was riding about 100 miles weekly at a decent pace.

So ...my questions are:

1) Are there any other dual heart valve people here?

2) How in the heck do you feel?

3) The surgeon says no restrictions after all is well, and I fully intend to cycle agressively as possible this fall ... is this doable?

One more thing: My surgeon is very experienced at aortic surgery and thinks that replacing the root and valve (1 piece) is the way to go. I tend to agree as I may have marfans and I already have a artificial mitral-valve, so down the drain for the the not-on-coumadin theory. Does this sound right?

Okay, cool, thanks for any of your thoughts.

One more thing, I am glad they found it, and look at this as a good thing.

Thanks All

 

[Marty]

Chester, do you have a tissue mitral valve or a mechanical? Are you taking warfarin now? If so I'd like to know how your doctors plan to handle the warfarin before, during, and after surgery. We have many double valvers here on vr.com and they seem to do as well or better than the single valvers.
the fact that you got through one valve job in good shape is very predictive that this next one will go well too. Think positive.

 

[tobagotwo]

What kind of artificial mitral valve do you have? If you're not already on Coumadin, it must be tissue.

The operation described (as I understood it) can be done with xenograft (animal) valves, such as the Medtronics Hancock or Hancock Freestyle series, or a homograft. The question is whether it's worth it to you. Your age is a factor in that. If you feel your surgeon is limiting your choices simply because he is used to using one type of paraphernalia, get a second opinion from a different surgeon, who may be more comfortable using different valve products.

Link for Freestyle (note that there are other brands as well): http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/pref_index.html

There are a number of double-valve folks here on the site (I am not one of them), but many of them mat be away on vacation this weekend, living it up as you described. If you're basically healthy, you should be able to return to normal functioning. Most people say they're not fully back to normal strength for a year. I don't think it necessarily takes that long (didn't for me), and you're younger, and will likely bounce back more quickly.

Best wishes,

 

[Mb]

Well....I, like the others, must assume you already have one artificial valve, that is mechanical. I assume you already take coumaden for that.

My husband has dual valves. Saved his life,. Has had them for four years. He is much older, and is in chronic a-fib. He has rheumatic heart disease.
We returned from Europe about three weeks ago. The limitations he has on his physical abilities truly stem from the a-fib, and a third leaking valve. If those two issues weren't on the table, he too could probably do lots more than he does now.

Remember, after you get repaired, you still have heart disease, just a different type....that won't kill you in relatively short order.

You might not be in perfect condition after your surgery, but frankly, you're heart is far from that now, otherwise you wouldn't be having the surgery. So, fear not. You will get many replies to this. There are at least four others, regulars on this site, that will reply.

Marybeth

 

[Chester5er]

Chester, do you have a tissue mitral valve or a mechanical? Are you taking warfarin now? If so I'd like to know how your doctors plan to handle the warfarin before, during, and after surgery. We have many double valvers here on vr.com and they seem to do as well or better than the single valvers.
the fact that you got through one valve job in good shape is very predictive that this next one will go well too. Think positive.

Marty,

It is indeed an artificial mitral valve. That is why I do not see a real advantage to a tissue valve or tying the more risky David thingie to try and use the native valve. I will ask about the warfarin issue before, during and after.

Thanks
Todd

 

[Chester5er]

What kind of artificial mitral valve do you have? If you're not already on Coumadin, it must be tissue.

The operation described (as I understood it) can be done with xenograft (animal) valves, such as the Medtronics Hancock or Hancock Freestyle series, or a homograft. The question is whether it's worth it to you. Your age is a factor in that. If you feel your surgeon is limiting your choices simply because he is used to using one type of paraphernalia, get a second opinion from a different surgeon, who may be more comfortable using different valve products.

Link for Freestyle (note that there are other brands as well): http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/pref_index.html

There are a number of double-valve folks here on the site, but many of them mat be away on vacation this weekend, living it up as you described. If you're basically healthy, you should be able to return to normal functioning. Most people say they're not fully back to normal strength for a year. I don't think it necessarily takes that long (didn't for me), and you're younger, and will likely bounce back more quickly.

Best wishes,

Bob H.

Thanks for the info. I replied to Marty and it is an artificial mitral valve. I don't feel the surgeon is limited, only feels that because of the artificial mitral, there is no real benefit to a graft or valve that would not require warfarin. As I understand, those are a bit less tested so to speak with longer, riskier surgeries and I am fairly young and wish to be as active as possible and am afraid of cooking any tissue replacement parts. I will check out the link you sent.

Many thanks
Todd

 

[tobagotwo]

I'm sorry if this created confusion. The term "artificial" is confusing in this instance. All valves are artificial, except a homograft (valve from a human donor). Xenograft (animal tissue) valves are treated to the extent that they are not really natural anymore, and the bovine valves are actually sewn together from pericardium, so they were never really actual valves at all.

Usually, but not always, the mitral valve is replaced by a mechanical (pyrolytic carbon) valve. Your post seemed to indicate that you were wondering about Coumadin (warfarin), which sounded like you weren't on it. That was why I wondered if you had a tissue valve. If you have a mechanical valve, you had well better be on it already.

If you are on it, and are doing well with it, there would be no real advantage to switching to two tissue valves at this point, unless you were closing in on seventy and were certain you would never have to take warfarin again for something else. As your surgeon pointed out, there is no advantage at all to having one tissue and one mechanical valve.

Best wishes,