Hope for my Tissue Valve

[kfay]

I just wanted to post about a lady I met while at the Mayo clinic last week. She is in her mid 40's and was just having her porcine tricuspid tissue valve replaced after it being in place for 21 years. I was shocked when she told me how long she had had it. This was the longest I have ever heard of in a person under the age of 60. It gives me hope that mine will last that long, and then I would only be looking at one more surgery!

Kim

 

[Kathy McCain]

Thanks kfay, for that great bit of info! That certainly does give me hope! When I heard that some of the Medtronic Mosaic valves were failing early, it was very distressing, to say the least!

 

[Lynlw]

That would be great Kim. I certainly think you deserve to have something work out great for you

 

[Karlynn]

That is good news!!!!

Not to be a wet blanket - for newbies here - the position the valve is placed in factors in to how long it will last. Aortic valves are the "work horses" of the 4 valves, then mitral - and so on.

 

[kfay]

That is good news!!!!

Not to be a wet blanket - for newbies here - the position the valve is placed in factors in to how long it will last. Aortic valves are the "work horses" of the 4 valves, then mitral - and so on.

Karlynn, I can appreciate that the postion plays a role in that, but I have never heard of any porcine valve lasting that long in a person that age, period.

 

[Lynlw]

Karlynn, I can appreciate that the postion plays a role in that, but I have never heard of any porcine valve lasting that long in a person that age, period.

and don't forget she had one of the older valves too, with out the things that should make them last longer.

 

[rmoss]

I had my pulmonary valve replaced 21 yrs ago with a human tissue valve and it is still going. I was 13 yrs old when It was replaced. It is starting to go down hill a little but still stable......(or atleast it was a year ago) Valves on the right side of the heart tend to last a little longer.

Randy

 

[ottagal]

It is always good to read success stories. It gives us hope!

 

[AnnaHM]

I had a valve switch done 36 years ago and my pulmonary valve was replaced with a tissue valve. The tissue valve has only just been replaced this year by Magdi Yacoub, so mine lasted 36 years!!!! Best of luck

 

[Karlynn]

Correction, I was told by a knowledgeable member that it's the Mitral valve that lasts the least amount of time.

My point in mentioning it was for very new people coming on who aren't aware that each type of valve (aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral) has different wear and tear rates, as well as clot risks.

I guess I was surprised that 21 years was a surprise for a tricuspid valve. Either way - it is good news.

 

[Debbrn]

My pulmonary valve will be replaced again next year. The cadavar valve would have lasted 19 years in me.

Debbie