I need some information now!!

[Debrinha GT]

Hi there everybody, as you know I'm going to talk to the surgeon who performed my last MVR(replacement) with a Pericardium bovine bioprosthetic cardioprothesis valve tomorrow aftrnoon, and I need to know more about it before I talk to him. One of the things that makes me wonder is why the valve started to calcify only 8 years after I got it put in?? I always read about tissue valves lasting a bit longer than that... If you can answer my question in time I'd be very grateful. I think BobH has given me the address to a site about this exact same valve once, but I've hunted high and low for that post and haven't found it anywhere. Thank you.
Débora

 

[tobagotwo]

CEPM and Mosaic Valve Links

CEPM and Mosaic Valve Links

Debora,

Age is one of the factors involved in calcification of tissue valves. The younger you are, the more rapidly you begin to calcify the valve. The average age of valve recipients is older than you, and most of the studies are going to reflect that in their results.

The new anticalcification treatments on the tissue valves should improve their performance in this regard. However, they will probably always average a longer life in older patients.

Here are some links to the Medtronics Mosaic (porcine): http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/mosaic_index.html
and its anticalcification processes:
http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/mosaic_aoadurab.html
http://www.medtronic.com/cardsurgery/products/mosaic_physfix.html

And here is the Carpentier Edwards Perimount Magna (bovine pericardial):
http://www.edwards.com/MedicalProfe...x?ItemId=304ABBA7-C9B8-4BA1-87E7-704BAF356F25
and its anticalcification process:
http://www.edwards.com/MedicalProfe...x?ItemId=2c8b2f03-d001-4de6-a1d5-5fc0e229cbed

There are also places (usually in blue type) where you can click on these pages for more information.

I hope this is the information you are looking for.

Best wishes,

 

[Debrinha GT]

Very useful information there!

Very useful information there!

Hello Bob, and thanks for coming to my aid once again. Although I couldn't fully understand all that was written there, I was able to get an idea of what it was all about. I've prepared a lot of questions to ask the surgeon, and if he can answer at least half of them, I'll be happy. Anyway, I'll post here to tell you all how things went as soon as I can. Please, pray so that I don't get bad news! The appointment is at 4:30pm my time.
Débora

 

[Gail in Ca]

When my porcine valve was going at 11 yrs I was also a little po'd, thinking I would get 15 at least. But, I was told that average was 8 yrs and 10 was considered good. So, I didn't feel too bad. In '89, my surgeon gave me the impression that my valve could go for up to 20 yrs, but he was way off for someone my age (34 then).
Gail