Life expectancy of tissue valves

[lance]

A lady in my husband's cardiac rehab clinic told him her tissue valve needs to be replaced. She received her first tissue valve 20 years ago and was on ACT for the following year only.

Her surgeon is pressuring her to have a mechanical. She told him she wants a second tissue valve, was on ACT, didn't like it then, hasn't changed her mind, and she doesn't expect to live forever. She's 70 years old.

Has anyone heard of a tissue valve lasting this long? Unfortunately husband didn't ask which tissue valve she has and has finished his rehab.

 

[kfay]

The newer tissue valves could easily last for 20 years in someone her age. I am glad to hear her last one lasted that long considering she would only have been 50 when she had it implanted. Why does her Dr. want her to go mechanical at this time? Since she had such a good result from her last tissue and that is what she prefers again, she should insist on it unless there is some other reason for the switch.

Kim

 

[Duff Man]

yeah I think I'd pick tissue again if I were her.

 

[Mary]

A member posted in the last few weeks about an immediate family member who had a tissue valve for 23 years. I didn't respond and ask which valve type, but perhaps I will run across the post again and quote it in this thread.

 

[Jkm7]

I have bovine mitral valve implanted in February, 2008. Both my surgeon and cardio said it is well within possibility it can serve me 18-20 years or more. They feel confident should I need another valve after all those years, they will no longer be cracking open our chests in order to do valve repairs and replacements. Of course, there are never guarantees. For me, just barely on the cusp of 'being old enough to get tissue valve', it was a clear choice I wanted tissue and would take what comes. This was my second OHS. I am so happy that is the choice I made.


I was only on ACT 2 1/2 months post surgery.

 

[Karlynn]

I'd be asking her surgeon why, at 70, he wants to do a mechanical. If her family has a history of longevity - I can see why he wouldn't be thrilled about signing her up for a replacement at 85 or 90. If she has my family mortality history - I'd go tissue definitely. (Mom died at 73, Dad at 79)

 

[bvdr]

If I had to have my St. Jude mitral replaced for any reason I would for sure get a tissue. Even though I still have some episodes of atrial fib I judge the risk of being off warfarin for surgery or a procedure with just atrial fib to be much less than the risk of being off warfarin when the main issue is a mechanical mitral.

 

[Ross]

At that age, hands down I'd go tissue!

 

[Cooker]

at that age, hands down i'd go tissue!

agree 100%

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valves have a proven history of approaching 20 years in most patients who were over age 60 at the time of replacement. The 'new and improved' one have an anti-calcification coating that is "hoped" to extend that by another 5 years or so.

At age 70 she has an elevated risk of bleeding and stroke which would be exacerbated with a Mechanical Valve and Coumadin / Warfarin. For HER, one of the improved Tissue Valves makes the most sense to me.

 

[lance]

Thanks for the confirming responses

Thanks for the confirming responses

It's surprising because I thought tissue valves had a life expectancy of 10-15 years and thought she was extremely lucky that her's lasted so long.
This lady knew exactly what she wanted and what she would willingly accept.
Good for her. Why her surgeon pushed mechanical is anybody's guess. Maybe he was more familiar with them.

 

[Glenda]

I had my tissue valve put in four years ago in 2004 and was told a couple of months ago that it will have to be replaced very soon because it is now failing. What happened I wonder?

 

[pamela]

I had my tissue valve put in four years ago in 2004 and was told a couple of months ago that it will have to be replaced very soon because it is now failing. What happened I wonder?

Glenda, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't your tissue valve quite small? The tighter opening would make the pressure gradients higher when your heart muscle is circulating an adult's blood volume and conceivably cause the valve to degrade more quickly than is usual. I am only conjecturing here, but it would make sense to me. I'm sorry you're not getting the advertised distance from your prosthetic, I didn't either.

 

[abbanabba]

Oh Glenda... that's a tough break I hope the next one lasts much longer than that (are you looking at another tissue valve?).


Lance - I have to agree with everyone else. I'm not sure why a surgeon would be pushing for a mechanical in someone of that age - especially if her preference is for a tissue valve. But hey - nice to know that at 70 she's not been written off as "too old"..!

 

[Jkm7]

Glenda.... So sorry to hear your valve has not served you the time one would expect. Will you get mechanical or tissue this time?

Wishing you the very, very best.

 

[marilyn]

Glenda,
Can you tell me the size of your valve? I have a small porcine valve and was told that it would not last as long because of its size. Maybe that is what happened. CC said 5-10 years.
Marilyn

 

[Glenda]

I'm sorry this has taken so long to answer. I've had a lot going on in my life right now. Marilyn it is a 19mm. Pam the surgeon did say it was small because I have small internal organs. He had tried a normal adult size and it wouldn't beat so he put in a child's size. Like I said I always knew there was a small person trying to get out of this big old fat body! ! As old as I am (65) I'll go with a tissue again. I can't take Comudin because I'm on a chemo drug for my leukemia and Comudin doesn't mix with Gleevec. My cardio did say the surgeon would probably make the opening where the valve fits bigger this time in order to get an adult size in. I don't understand why he didn't do that the first time.

 

[lance]

because ...............

because ...............

I'd be asking her surgeon why, at 70, he wants to do a mechanical. If her family has a history of longevity - I can see why he wouldn't be thrilled about signing her up for a replacement at 85 or 90. If she has my family mortality history - I'd go tissue definitely. (Mom died at 73, Dad at 79)

I suspect it's because Health Canada guidelines advocate mechanicals to avoid additional surgeries. Whether or not surgeons follow the guidelines is up to them. Obviously mine did.

 

[CindyWilson]

Glenda, I also have a porcine heart valve, really its called a Mosaic Porcine Heart Valve it is 29mm in size, replaced my mitral valve. I had this mvr april 16, 2007. my echo in july 2008 my valve showed signs of failing according to cardiologist. Didnt last long. he states probably because my arotic valve has severe regurg. compromising arotic and tricuspid. thinks i should get 2 mechanical valves this next surgery, mvr and avr.

 

[abbanabba]

(((((Hugs))))) to you Glenda. You sure have been dealing with more than your fair share. I hope the next valve lasts you many many years.


A : )