Mechanical valve: does it make a noise?

[bodman25]

I am 10 months post-op also with an On-X in the AV position, My experience is the the same as ctyguy. As I sit here typing I am completely unaware of my On-X. In a quiet area or when lying down I can sense it and hear it softly ticking. Reassuring!

Good luck.

Fast Eddie

Eddie, I have a Mecahnical valve for the MV and i am 7 months post op. I hear it tick when it is quiet or when i work out. It kept me awake at first but now I hardly notice it. It is very reassuring.

bodman25

 

[Adrienne]

Does anyone have information on when a valve can be repaired or when it has to be replaced?

If a valve has become too calcified, which can happen after endocarditis, it often has to be replaced.

The annulus of my valve was very calcified (probably because of endocarditis) and there was also some calcification of part of the posterior leaflet of the valve. Because of the calcification of part of the leaflet, my surgeon (who is very experienced when it comes to repairs) did the repair in a different way which was more complicated.

 

[Jkm7]

When it comes time to make such a serious choice as which type heart valve we want used, we have to really face exactly what factors personally are the most important to us. It is truth in the face time. Not like you can easily 'return it' and request a different type if you later decide you made a mistake.

I gave hard, serious consideration to all the info I personally gathered and that which my doctors shared with me (as I assume everyone does) and I knew that for me, a mechanical valve was my last choice. I was having second OHS and certainly don't want a third but when I considered it all, I asked for (and received) a bovine mitral valve replacement. I am a little over three weeks out of surgery and know that I made the right choice for me......thankfully. Hope everyone is content, after the fact, with the choice they make.

For most of us, there is no right or wrong. It is a very personal choice.

 

[bodman25]

I read somewhere that the Mechanical Valve makes a "ticking" noise. Is that true? will I be ticking away for the rest of my life??? Then maybe the "pig valve" is a better option?

The Surgeon said he is first going to try and repair my Valve but if he can not repair it, he will have to replace it. I have 2 children and had a Hysterectomy - he said that if I was planning to have more children, he would've suggested the "pig valve" because you can not get pregnant while on Warfarin.

Does anyone have information on when a valve can be repaired or when it has to be replaced?

sorry for all the questions but now I am not so sure if I made the right valve-selection...

I am 7 months post op from a MVR. They tried to repair mine but it would not hold. I have the St. Judes mechanical valve and it does tick. At first it was annoying but now I hardly notice it. When I do notice it, it is a reassuring sound. Overall it is a preference on which valve to go for. I am 24 and picked the one which my surgeon said would keep me out of the OR for the longest amount of time. With the repair it is hard to say exactly if they can repair it. It comes down to actually getting in there and trying. They tried 3 times with mine. I wish you the best of luck.

Bodman25

 

[Jkm7]

My surgeon also tried hard to repair my valve but knew at some point, it was not going to be a good repair. Of course, I knew that could happen. I saw my anesthesiologist a few days after my surgery and both he and my surgeon told me, a repair simply was not going to be good. I am grateful he proceeded with the replacement.

 

[malloryn]

ticking!

ticking!

Depending on which brand of valve they use, the ticking can be quiet or louder than normal. My mitral valve was replaced 5 years ago to a mechanical.. I barely hear the "ticking" noise, but when someone points it out or when I run I hear it clearly! I had a pig valve for 2 years before the mechanical, I would prefer it better since we don't have to take coumadin.. but, I didn't get the choice after some health issues with the pig valve. When I first got my mechanical valve I cried due to at first I got very annoyed by the noise, but it goes away quickly on hearing it!

 

[Smiley2000]

Thank you to everyone that replied to my post

I only have 6 more days to go and no matter how hard I try, I am still a little bit anxious about the whole thing.

I trust my Surgeon enough to know that he will try his best to repair it but that he will replace the valve if he thinks it is not going to hold... I am still going for the mechanical valve. I am sure I would get use to the ticking and like everyone said: at some stage one gets use to it - I would be more worried if it STOPS ticking

 

[Ross]

You will be nervous until you actually get in the doors, then for some reason, a calm takes over. I guess that's when we decide that, "Hey, this is it. Nothing I can do about it now" and go forth up the mountain. Don't worry about the ticking. It's really not that bad at all. You'll be surprised.

Please please please be sure someone keeps in touch with us and lets us know how your coming along.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Smiley,

You keep mentioning "THE" mechanical valve which implies only ONE.

There are SEVERAL manufacturers and types of mechanical valves. The MAJOR manufacturers are ATS, Carbomedics, On-X, (Sorin from Italy which is not marketed in our U.S.A), and St. Jude.

The relatively new On-X Valves (introduced in 1996) have a lower propensity for Clot Formation and Damage to the Blood Cells, ESPECIALLY in the Mitral Position.

I recommend you discuss Valve Options with your Surgeon BEFORE surgery. As several of us have learned the hard way, it is Wise to have a Plan B, "just in case" the First Choice does NOT work out while in surgery.

Best wishes,

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ctyguy]

Smiley....keep your chin up your going to do fine ! Once your in the hospital all of the anxiousness will vanish, I know it did for me. At that point I was nose down with a "lets get it on" mentality, I think that happens to alot of folks.

If the valve can be repaired then that is great but mechanical isn't the end of the world either. You won't be able to do any ultimate fighting anymore but you will still be able to live a happy and active lifestyle.

My wife can hear my valve (On-X in the aortic position) and I got a good laugh from someone the other day who told me that his staff gets creeped out in meetings when he gets fired up because his "ticking" gets a little louder and faster. I can't wait to get back into my staff meetings now ! Honestly I don't hear it myself, I just feel my heartbeat from time to time and Im pretty sure that is the valve. Its re-assuring to me !

Good luck and let us know when you on the backside of the surgery.

 

[jbriault]

I had a mechanical St Judes valve put in 1999. Works like a charm. I hear the ticking usually at night when I lay on my side. My husband hears it.
The only problem is: When I work out or am emotional it tics quicker! I attend my sister in laws funeral, the church is quiet and my nephew one
pew up and at the other end wanted to take the person with the noisy watch
AND BUST IT. my son, sitting beside him whispered its Mom's valve. Rob
couldn't believe how loud I got. Thats the only thing I have a problem with.
I take warfarin every day and have had no problems with the drug. It regulates itself after while. My husband says: as long as I tick he knows I
am okay! Be Positive! It s the only way to be!

 

[TomD]

No ticking for me.

No ticking for me.

I am 6 weeks after St Jude mechanical and have not heard any clicking. I do have very pronounced at times heart throbbing that radiates up through my sternum. My Doctor says that will subside in 3-6 months.

 

[Gusdog]

Ticking away...

Ticking away...

Smiley,

I had my aortic valve replaced with a St. Jude valve 5 weeks ago, and my ticking is fairly loud. (I don't know if aortic valve replacements are louder than MVRs, which may be a factor.) Anyway, what I wanted to add was that, like with malloryn, mine bothered me at first. Three or four days post surgery, the noise was driving me crazy, particularly when I tried to sleep. I freaked out a bit.

Now I'm used to it. It will probably get quieter (so I've read), but whether it does or not, I'll be ok. So, if you find it driving you nuts during that time when many of us get post-op depression anyway, hang in there! It does get better.

When I first visited my PCP after my surgery, I was standing next to an RN who was filling out my lab paperwork when she asked, "what's that ticking noise?" It was really fun to be able to say, "It's me." But I'm weird, and it sounds like most folks have a quieter experience than I have.

Good luck and God bless. I'll be thinking of you on Monday.

Adam

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

Good luck to you.. Let us know how you are doing, when you are feeling better..