How conservative are your surgeons?

[Andyrdj]

Who here would say that their surgeon is careful, wishing to stick to proven long term ability in a valve rather than a more risky but potentially better valve? And who has been offered something on clinical trial?

I'd like more information on centres trying more experimental procedures. I feel that my own hospital perhaps errs too much on the side of caution, and would like to see how things compare worldwide.

Please also state your age, as this will obviously be a factor.

Thanks folks

 

[Ross]

I don't know if this counts at all. My surgeon wanted to use an ON-X valve in me, but needed a graft sleeve attached to it and ON-X does not yet have a model with a sleeve, so I had to go with St. Jude.

 

[Andyrdj]

It's all useful

It's all useful

Does well to remind you that sometimes the difficulties are purely technical. Thanks. Anyone else who has these stories, please add them.

I'm mostly interested in stories where someone's been offered something a little newer (maybe less than 5 or 10 years follow up?) at a slightly higher risk but with a chance of better quality of life.

The ON-X valve with low anticoagulation would be one example of this.

 

[MrP]

Age 49 at time of surgery. Offered a conservative option of St. Jude mechanical OR a bioprosthesis with Bilinx (pig heart valve treated with a solution intended to decrease development of calcium deposits on the valve) and participate in a research study sponsored by St. Jude Medical. In order to carry out the study on the bioprosthesis wtih Bilinx, study-related health information would be given to regulatory agencies in the USA and other countries, the Dept of Health and Human Resources, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Data Safety Monitoring Board, the Echocardiogram core lab which is the Univ. of Michigan Health System, the Laboratory Corp. of America, and investigators and staff at other participating institutions. Also had to agree to return to surgen each year for follow ups. I opted to go with the mechanical.

 

[Andyrdj]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hope more people have these stories.

Also, to british readers, what valves have you been offered on the NHS? And is it possible to offer to buy one not on the list if a surgeon can be found willing to perform the operation?

Come to think of it - to US readers and others, recently under the knife, how much did a valve replacement cost?

 

[Granbonny]

I have told my story many times before..but, I was age 61..No symptoms..Only found my aneurysm after a Cath of heart..( came from looking for cause of high blood pressure..nothing else)....I had not found VR.Com at the time..so, my family took the surgeons words, when he told them...she needs an operation NOW..And I will be putting in a mechanical valve..for she DOES NOT EVER..want to go thru this surgery again. This was in Atlanta, Ga. with the largest group of Cardiovascular and ThoracicSurgeons at one of the best hospitals... So, I have a St. Jude's ..and will be 4 years post-op in 4 days.. No problems with taking coumadin...I think the average cost in America for valve replacement is $100,000.....Bonnie