How long will this last?

[MSG Morrissey]

I had a St Jude aortic valve put in in 1996. Today is my first day seeing this forum. What is the life span of these valves? Topic comes up because I had my annual echo yesterday and I am ruminating as I await the results.

 

[Karlynn]

I'm going on 14 years for mine and it was still looking good at my last echo in 11/04. Twinmaker is at year 24 I believe.

If mechanicals didn't last a lot longer than tissue valves, there would be no reason to do them. So it would be my guess that you have quite a few miles left on yours.

 

[twinmaker]

Karlynn is right. My St. Jude mechanical mitral valve turned 24 last month. I had my last echo almost a year and a half ago and things were fine. My mitral valve has given me no trouble whatsoever. Most of my problems the last several years has been from my A-fib and then Ventricular tachycardia was discovered and I had a defibrillator implanted a year and a half ago. But that St. Jude valve just keeps clicking away! Hopefully, I'll never have to have it replaced, but in the meantime, I'm just thankful for each additional day with it. Linda

 

[tobagotwo]

In my opinion, you can expect 25 years reliably, and it may well be more like 30+ as time goes on.

The lifespan of that valve just keeps extending as people get older. The reason it "ends" at a little over 30 right now is that it's only been out for 30 years so far. When it's been out for 35 years, it may "end" at 35, and so on...

Best wishes,

 

[Ross]

Hopefully, your life time! No guarantees of course, but lets hope so.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I don't remember the specifics, but I believe St. Jude has tested their mechanical valves for way more cycles than would be expected in anyone's lifetime.

You may want to check their website or call their main number. I'm sure they would be happy to provide that information.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[RCB]

life span of mechcanical valves

life span of mechcanical valves

I had a St Jude aortic valve put in in 1996. Today is my first day seeing this forum. What is the life span of these valves? Topic comes up because I had my annual echo yesterday and I am ruminating as I await the results.

To my knowledge except for the very early prototypes valves developed during the 50's and 60's no mech. valve has ever been explanted due to "wearing out". There are even some of the early valves implanted in young
pts. that are over 35 years old and still doing fine!
Explantation of mech. valve is usually due to infections, clots, misc. heart tissue problems and defects. When mech. valves are explanted for any of the previous problems, they are examined by a pathologist. In the case studies that I have read of 30+ years of use- EVERY STUDY REMARKED ABOUT HOW LITTLE WEAR(they used a micrometer to measure it) THERE WAS
ON THE VALVE FACES!
Most mech. valve today will go to an early grave, functioning as well as
the day they were implanted!

 

[Arc_Weld]

My First Post

My First Post

I just found this web site today. WOW. I have a severe leak in my aortic valve. I found out a year ago I had a bicuspid AV. It had a mild leak when it was found... Now its leaking 4+ and I am being told to have it replaced soon. I am seeking a consult at UAB around the first of October.... I am worred.

Its great to see all of the other folks on this site that have faced this issue and done well. I hope to learn more in the coming weeks before surgery

 

[RCB]

Welcome Arc_Weld!

Welcome Arc_Weld!

I just found this web site today. WOW. I have a severe leak in my aortic valve. I found out a year ago I had a bicuspid AV. It had a mild leak when it was found... Now its leaking 4+ and I am being told to have it replaced soon. I am seeking a consult at UAB around the first of October.... I am worred.

Its great to see all of the other folks on this site that have faced this issue and done well. I hope to learn more in the coming weeks before surgery

It great to see you here. You might want to post more about yourself and your condition under the "Heart" forum where we talk about more then just valve issues. We have a lot of "bicuspid valver" here and many have really done some great research. Also, alot of people who have had surgery at UAB and are very pleased with the hospitals and the surgeons. Remember, if you have question, ask it- we are family here!

 

[Wise]

I just found this web site today. WOW. I have a severe leak in my aortic valve. I found out a year ago I had a bicuspid AV. It had a mild leak when it was found... Now its leaking 4+ and I am being told to have it replaced soon. I am seeking a consult at UAB around the first of October.... I am worred.

Its great to see all of the other folks on this site that have faced this issue and done well. I hope to learn more in the coming weeks before surgery

Welcome Arc, I found out about my bicuspid valve last year as well. My regurgitation is still mild as best they can tell. Hope everything goes well for you and that you have a well timed and successful surgery.

Wise

 

[OldManEmu]

MSG Morrissey my understanding is a modern design mechanical valve like yours has an indefinite service life. The problem with these valves in the longer term 30+ years tends to be related to the deterioration of the stitches that are holding them inplace.

 

[RCB]

stitches?

stitches?

MSG Morrissey my understanding is a modern design mechanical valve like yours has an indefinite service life. The problem with these valves in the longer term 30+ years tends to be related to the deterioration of the stitches that are holding them inplace.

Do you have a citation for this "deterioration of stitch problem". Some people
have reported that their valves were explanted due to a "stitches coming loose".
However, the FEW studies which document an explant of a valve never noted this problem. Also, when pressed for specifics, pts. tend to be unclear about the precise problem, ie., did the sitches deteriorate or did the heart tissue
just tear out due to a natural weakening of the heart tissue as people age.
This is true of mech. or tissue valves and can happen in a few years if the
conditions are right. Surgeon describe this tissue as "friable" and it makes a very difficult surgery for reoperations!
Furthermore, for the most part, the tendency is for the heart tissue to
encase the the sewing ring. This growing-in process making the stitches unnecessary, much like the stitches a person has removed after a cut. This process of tissue growth can sometime be so vigorous and invasive that it can over grow the valve as I beleive some members have experienced on this%2%0
forum.
The botton line is mech. valves never wear out and rarely have to be replaced because the valve itself is the cause.