Failing valve?

[ShariMac]

Hi, I am a 38-year-old woman who had AVR with a tissue (pericardium) valve on 11-12-04. I also had an aneurysm repair at the same time (which my surgeon said had been ready to burst at any time). In the last three weeks, I've noticed an increasing level of exhaustion and shortness of breath. My husband says that when he listens to my heart (ear to chest) it sounds "leaky" like it did before surgery. Does this sound consistent with valve failure? If so, am I likely to need surgery next month, next spring...next week? I have an appointment for an echo and one-year post-surgery follow-up tomorrow, but am feeling worried tonight and was wondering if anyone had input.

My surgeon had recommended a tissue valve because he thought that statistically, I had a greater chance of having a problem with bleeding/Coumadin over the rest of my life than with complications from a second surgery. But now, I'm wishing I had gone with the mechanical. Is living with Coumadin really not a big deal? Or would I be better off going with tissue again and seeing how science/medicine develops?

I'm nervous about going through this again, as I have twin boys who turned 3 on Friday and a 5-1/2 year old daughter. I hate putting everyone through this again! Not picking up my kids for so long last year was hell. Any chance this isn't valve failure and I could be looking at some other kind of complication?

Thanks so much,

Shari

 

[Karlynn]

Shari, welcome!

First off - take a deep breath and step back. Don't start putting the cart before the horse. Get in to see your cardiologist and find out what might becausing your symptoms. Don't let your husband's assessment of how your heart sounds start freakin' you out.

There can be many reasons that you are feeling this way. It might be as simple as your thyroid.

Get it checked out first and then start thinking about valve options if it ends up being your valve.

Sounds like your surgeon was one of the doctors who's knowledge of warfarin (Coumadin) isn't as up to date as we would want. I've had my mechanical for 14 years now and it was installed for the exact opposite reason your tissue valve was installed. Drs. felt better w/ me on Coumadin, than looking at repeat surgeries (I was 32 at the time of my replacement).

That being said - let's get you checked out and we can go from there. We have a lot of very knowledgeable people here, and I'm glad you found us, regardless of your valve situation.

 

[geebee]

Shari,

Welcome. I think it would be best to wait and see the results of your echo to really be sure. Exhaustion and SOB can be caused by many things but I am concerned about the sound your husband hears.

As far as valve choices go, if you continue looking at older threads, you will see that the discussions can be very personal and sometimes heated. As should be, each of us is happy with our decision on valve type and like to share our experiences. I have a mechanical and have been on coumadin for 25 years as of next week and I find it to be no big deal. Other than bridging therapy for surgical procedures, coumadin is simply one more pill I take each day.

I am sure others will come in and talk to you. We will be anxious to hear the results of your echo.

 

[Natanni]

The tissue/mechanical issue

The tissue/mechanical issue

Hi Shari

I just wanted to say hello, and welcome. We are sort of in the new area of the group, so we really can't say too much as far as longevity problems with coumadin, but my husband is one month post AVR this week with a mechanical valve. He anguished over this decision of tissue and mechanical, and chose mechanical for the simple reason go with the best odds of fewer surgeries (nothing is a given as we know). Coumadin will be an adjustment as he is a boy that likes his toys He has a Harely, snowmobile, and we both love ATVs. Interesting enough, even the docs at the mayo gave him their blessings with all of these activities, with emphasis on caution and head protection. He did this to have a long, good quality of life....and that is what we are aiming for

It could be that you having something else going on, perhaps not even cardiac....but it is good you are having it checked out! I can't offer much help, but the people here are fantastic help.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi and welcome, my son is waiting to have his valve replaced, i kind of know how you feel, iam always watching him. Every twing he gets, i think is conected to his heart, i relise now that i just have to wait for his check up in four weeks time. Iam not saying yours is not conected and you are right to get it checked out. Hope everything works out for the best for you. Goodluck

 

[Cris N]

Shari,

Let me join in on the welcome. You've certainly come to a good spot for practical information. I agree that you should not get yourself worked up until you've seen the doctor & find out what's going on. As nervous as you are that something is wrong with your valve, it could also be something quite simple. One step at a time!

Although I'm still getting my warfarin dosage under control it really doesn't seem like a big deal. I've had my share of bumps & bruises and an occasional nosebleed, but I had those before the surgery too!

Please do keep us informed of what's going on... this is a caring and supportive group. Together we'll help you get through whatever you're facing.

Cris

 

[djexec]

Hi Shari.
Im about your age and will be having OHS to correct an ascending aortic aneurysm along with a bicuspid aortic valve within the next couple months. I am in the process of researching valve types and interviewing surgeons. This site has been a wealth of information to me so I hope it also helps you. I will preface what I'm about to say by mentioning that I am very new to all this...however in my studying of this site, I seem to recall a thread about tissue valves sometimes showing insufficiency shortly after surgery and that this was almost considered normal. I dont want to trivialize what you are experiencing but just as someone posted above, take a deep breath and relax, go see your cardiologist and then make your decisions. Fear is our enemy and does nothing at all to help us!

Be well....deane

 

[ShariMac]

You were right!

You were right!

You all were right...I was putting the cart before the horse a bit. It turns out that my echo was fine (thank God!). The doctors think something else is going on, most likely anemia, and ran some blood tests to try to track down the source.

Interestingly enough, I still agree that my husband is right...my heart sounded very loud in the months after the surgery, so loud that we used to wonder how loud a mechanical valve must be when my tissue valve sounds were so pronounced. But it sounds different now, much quieter even to my ears. So, something has changed. The doctors acted like they thought I was a little crazy when I mentioned this. And I know we're not imaginging it. But the main thing is, the echo was fine. So whatever's going on, at least the valve isn't failing.

Thanks for calming my nerves!

Shari

 

[Karlynn]

Shari, so glad your echo was good. Mechanical valves can be very loud in the first few months post-op and then quiet down. Many of us have noticed that.

 

[geebee]

Great news. I hope they find out what is causing your problems and get you back to perfect in no time.

 

[Natanni]

Good News!

Good News!

Glad to hear about your echo results!!

Nathan has a mechanical, and I can hear this soft little tick (like a watch) but when he is very active, I can hear more of a 'thud'....we were told as the valve scars in, that his noises will be harder to hear.

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Good news about your valve Shari...I went last week for my post surgery Echo....It wa s really cool because the tech showed me pre-surgery...and then I got to see it last week...different techs. I remember seeing what looked like a large flap moving and one tiny little flap also moving...with the new Cow valve. the flaps were the same size with a vertical line showing above and directly in the middle of the flaps....This tech says, "You had a valve replaced?" I said yeah I sure did, I had a Cow valve installed. She said she was used to seeing a big blob from mechanical valves. Anyways, she said it looked really good and leakage was not noticeable.Mooooooo!


JohnnyV

 

[Cris N]

Glad to hear your echo indicates all is well with your valve. I hope they'll discover what was causing the SOB and that you'll be back to normal soon.

Cris

 

[Curtsmum]

Great news, im glad you echo turnd out to be good news.Hope you get to sort the other problems out. Just think if you can hear the mechanical valve, at least you know its working. Best of luck

 

[Emma]

So pleased your valve wasnt failing. My daughter has a mechanical one and although it was very loud at first, its only loud now when shes been running around and her heart is beating harder/faster, other than that, you can only hear it if shes sitting on your lap or in water!
Hope the cause of your SOB is nothing either,
Love Emma
xxx

 

[Marty]

I'm happy to hear your echo was OK. These newer tissue valves are scheduled to last 15 years or more. Don't feel guilty about your choice. One of our heart surgeons age 50 told me if he needed a valve replacement he would go "tissue" and have a second operation if necessary. He would avoid coumadin as long as possible. I believe this is a sensible solution for younger people. They put a mechanical in me becuse I was 72 and they didn't want me back for a second operation in my 80's.