I got a 21mm Perimount Tissue Valve

[valerie415]

Anybody heard anything about these valves? I guess it's too late for me if it wasn't a good one, but I just looked it up on line and it says it lasts 20 years! That's a long time for a tissue valve, right? My surgeon told me he thought I made the right decision to choose tissue over mechanical, and that he would do the same, so that was encouraging.

 

[malibu82]

hi! i got the 23mm one! everyone has told me the same about making the choice to go tissue instead of mechanical!

 

[Philip B]

20 Years?

20 Years?

Hopefully, you guys will get the full predicted twenty years and maybe abit more.

-Philip

 

[nngbwh]

20 years is damm good. You should be jumping for joy.

 

[Lynlw]

It is a very good tissue valve, and Val, is the valve I would have chose if I were you. OF couse there are no guarentees, but You are correct in people your age, at the latest data , (I believe it was 18 years), something like 80% if the valves in 60 years old and up were still going strong. Since they have only been in use a couple years longer than 20 they dont know how long they will last , They'll have to wait and see when the first few groups of people need theirs replaced, if they out live their valve, to see what the average ends up being. The other good thing to remember is right now, the stats for 1st time REDOs, is the same as first surgeries, and of course chances are by the time you need your replaced, if you do, things will be even better. Or you MIGHT even have the possibility of avoiding heart surgery and having it replaced in the cath lab.

 

[Jkm7]

Way too many cardio surgeons in the very finest heart centers in the world are speaking of cath lab valve replacements becoming common in the foreseeable future to simply ignore these best of the best surgeons from the most prestigious centers. If it were a rogue one or two or ten heart surgeons, I might shrug it off. I do not shrug off top surgeons from Cleveland Clinic, Brigham and Women's, Mass General etc They are not just blowing smoke IMO

Congratulations, Val, on a successful surgery and having an excellent valve placed. Wishing you a bump free, speedy recovery. Don't do too much too fast. Sometimes it's tempting if you're feeling well to overdo it.

best wishes.

 

[Mentu]

Hi, Valerie, I also have a periomont valve but the more fashionable 23mm. (23mm is the most commonly used size). How long they will last is the question, isn't it. In truth, no one knows how long they will last. If they actually do average 20 years, some people will probably see them fail at 10 while others may get 30 out of them. These are new generation valves and we hope they were made well. My Surgeon recommended this valve for me after learning that my Uncle's St Jude Mechanical had to be replaced when tissue growth degraded its performance after only 12 years. He did add that this is the type of valve that he would select for himself if he needed one. In truth, only time will tell how good the current manufacturing techniques are. What I do know is the this valve is wonderfully better than the old one. Take good care of your's.

Larry

 

[Debbrn]

I have a 25 mm CE Perimount Magna bioprosthetic valve, but it is in the pulmonary position. They are hoping that it lasts until it can be replaced in the cath lab. I think all docs don't really want to touch me for a 5th time. It took 2 hours just for the anes doc to get the lines in. There were also "relatively dense adhesions throughout the mediastinum". My surgery lasted 9-10 hours.

 

[Luana]

I thought that tissue valves lasted much longer in older people than in younger people? So, 20 years for Barbara Bush at 83 would be great, but in a 20- or 30-something year old, 20 years is extremely unlikely?

I looked at Edwards' Web site and what they have on there about ACT is pretty alarming. "Anticoagulated patients must avoid any activity that may result in trauma" including housekeeping! I guess I should never drive again, nor be in a car with someone else driving since there's a risk of an accident. I sure had no idea that dusting and vacuuming could cause trauma. Geesh!

View attachment INRmanagement_ar0&#.pdf

 

[sweetbanker]

Everyone has their own opinion and what is best for some may not be best for another. I have a tissue valve too and My Doctor and I felt in 10-15 years they will be doing the replacements in the Cath Labs or something along that range and you go home with 2 small holes (not chest tubes holes) and a small incision. We'll just have to wait and see.
Happy healing.

 

[valerie415]

I'm very thankful I got such a good valve. I guess mine was only 21mm because I had a smaller heart or something? LOL!

 

[Luckyguy17]

Valerie,
Sounds like the surgeon pretty much selected your valve for you?
You almost seem surprised at the choice of valve selected.
In your case the process became quite accelerated, did you actually have time to discuss valve choices with surgeon pre surgery?
We are in similar age group you and I and I also think that your valve is an excellent choice.
How are you managing with recovery, everything ok with some daily improvement?
Gil

 

[valerie415]

Hi, Gil. Yes, the surgeon selected it for me. The only thing he asked me pre-op was if I wanted mechanical or tissue, and I already knew I wanted tissue as I knew I didn't want to have to take any drugs. So I said tissue, and he said he would fit me with a perimount valve, and that it was bovine. I didn't know anything about which valves were good, as I hadn't had time to get to the point of researching valves, so I just trusted that he was going to do the best for me, and it looks like he did. He is a very good surgeon. The majority of his surgeries are pediatric, but he also does adults. When they admitted me from the ER, I was actually supposed to have a different surgeon, but this man, Dr. Ross, had an open slot, and took me as his patient and before I knew it, it was all over! I had no time to even worry or fear much about the surgery or any of that stuff, ha! I was just very thankful they were taking me seriously finally and actually admitting me and about to operate.

My recovery is going very well! My incision is healing nicely, and I am walking 15 minutes 3 x a day, so am going from strength to strength. This coming week I'm going to increase it to 20 min 3 x a day. I walk with my 8-1/2 month pregnant daughter in law, and she can't walk very far or fast either at this point, so we just slowly waddle/amble along thru the neighborhood, quite a sight to see I'm sure. I'm very happy with the way things are going. Nights are hard. I can't sleep any way except on my back, and am sleeping on the couch, but I am grateful to be sleeping at all. Sometimes my heart rate spikes in the night, but so far so good and I take ten deep breaths and it normalizes. So all is good, thanks for asking.

 

[Luckyguy17]

Valerie,

Thanks for clarifying that you had indicated a bio valve preference, of course surgeon can make the right judgment call ... lucky you allround huh! all good and so fast!

Valerie, sounds like you have found the formula for quick recovery, keep it up on daily activities.

Quite normal to be sleeping on your back, for 1st few weeks, but you may find yourself capable of sleeping on your side soon, I woke up surprised to be sleeping on my side about 3 weeks post op. Today am even capable of sleeping on my stomach if I so choose and this is a little less than 6 weeks post op. The couch, is it your preference or the best available because of your return?
You may want to consider OTC slleping aids, if night sleep not continuous, it helped me get through the first few weeks.
Speedy recovery
Gil

 

[pat45750]

Hi Valerie

I find your posts interesting. I hope you get 20 years out of your valve. I like the thought that things are changing so fast that we will have an easier time of the next surgery in 20 years. Guess things can change pretty fast in medicine and other times - very slowly. Sounds like your walking is coming right along. Enjoy those walks. I hope your recovery continues to go well for you and you will soon be able to sleep on your side all night. Pat

 

[valerie415]

That's encouraging, Gil, that you were sleeping on your side within 3 weeks! It'll be 3 weeks for me 3 days from now, so you never know!

The reason I sleep on the couch is by choice because it's so nice and squishy and sort of supports me like a big comfy cocoon, ha, and has a slanted side arm I lean up against with pillows so I can be more vertical. In the bed I think I'm too flat, and it's too hard, even with pillows, but I hope to graduate to my bed soon!!

Thanks for your well wishes, Pat, and that'll be cool if I get 20 years out of the valve, all right!! And yes, I'm sure we'll have a much easier time then with valve replacements. Can't believe I'll be 80, wow!! It sure is good to be alive

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It sounds like you won the Surgeon Lottery Valerie

I'm *assuming* you are a "senior citizen" from the gist of this thread, which means that you have a good chance of get maximum life out of your tissue valve.

Regarding sleep, many Heart Surgery Patients find that sleeping in a Recliner works well for the first few weeks.
Alternatively, you might want to add a Wedge Pillow to your Couch to allow you to sleep at an angle while on your back.

Keep up the walking / breathing / resting and be sure to listen to your body.
When you feel energetic, walk.
When you feel tired, rest.
Are you still doing the breathing exercises?
They help to inflate your lungs and prevent pneumonia from developing.

Best Wishes for a smooth recovery!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[valerie415]

Hi, Al, yes, I am a "senior citizen", having just turned 60 a few months ago. I guess I qualify, although i don't see myself as one quite yet, LOL. But yes, I will probably be 80 when the valve wears out! So if I'm still kicking then, I guess I'll get a new one! And yes, I did win the surgeon lottery. God is so good to me. I feel like He orchestrated the whole thing.

Thanks for your encouragement to keep walking, breathing, resting and listening to my body. That's about all I do these days is sleep, eat, walk, rest, eat, sleep, walk, rest. Just what I need. And of course a little bit of dabbling on the internet. Thanks for the reminder tho to keep doing my breathing exercises as I feel my lungs are good but just not quite all there, especially when I wake up in the morning. On the whole though, I'm so pleased with how smoothly my recovery is going. Thanks for the best wishes!