mechanical heart valves

[Birky]

Does anyone have any information on mechanical valves leaking after surgery? This was brought up on another link. The person has a St. Jude and it is now leaking. Have you heard of this? I was under the impression that didn't happen with the mechanical? Thanks,

 

[Ross]

It's possible if the valve was not well seated and sutured properly. The other possibility is if a clot is beginning to form on the leaflets and not allowing the leaflets to close fully. I don't have any articles, but I'm sure someone in here does.

 

[Birky]

valves

valves

Ross, I am so glad that I can do this on my break at work. Really don't have too much time at night. Thanks for replying so quickly. Marcia

 

[Les]

Hi Marcia,
I was one of the "unlucky" when my first St. Jude was leaking severely enough at the suture ring after 865 days that it had to be replaced. So far, have eight years, 27 days on this second one ( and counting...)

 

[Birky]

Leaky valves

Leaky valves

I guess that I am correcting in assuming this is the reason they do followup echo's etc. Were your symptoms the same as prior to the surgery? How often do you have an echo? Thanks,

 

[wanagto]

My first st. jude valve also leaked due to scar tissue and sewing problems. my second one is know got moderate leakage for the same reasons. I have some sob and fatigue that has been realated to this.

 

[Birky]

valve

valve

Guess I thought the mechanical would be troublefree but I guess not. Every kind has it's risk. Would hate to do the surgery over again.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I was told by an echo tech that observed my perfect valve that it is very unusual for there to be NO leakage around the valve. So I guess that the norm is a minor amount of leakage, which shouldn't cause a problem. A larger amount of leakage would of course put you back in the position that you were before surgery.

 

[Sunshine susan]

Small leaks are a sure thing as it is, after all, unnatural. In addition, palpitations and "thumps" are normal in moderation as well. ANY new valve is unnatural and will have minor and unique things to contend with. I've had my St. Judes for almost 5 years with no more problems than those noted above. Hopefully, it should last the rest of my life (and I'm pretty young!). Any tissue valve that I would have chosen instead of the mechanical would not have had such a track record, and all I would have been doing is marking time to the next surgery to have chosen one. The issue is usually who wants to take the risk of another surgery by chosing a tissue valve or does not want to take the coumadin associated with the mechanical valve. There are numerous individuals on this site who started off with a tissue valve who now have a mechanical one. I decided to skip the mumbo-jumbo and go straight to the mechanical, deal with the coumadin, and live without much fear of a repeat surgery. None of it is perfect and everyone is different--this fits my lifestyle and safety net. I have not given up anything. That is kind of "it in a nutshell" for anyone having to contemplate the surgery--in the big picture, how will the choice affect your lifestyle--not just now, but 5-10-15 years in the future. Good luck--research it all before making your personal choice. Susan