Mom is 74 needs a valve; bovine or porcine?

[COLLEEN S]

Hi all, I have been on a self imposed hiatus, so much going on so little time...anyway, as I posted before, my mom has now been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm of 4.7cms and I was throwing this out to the folks who mostly have experience with or know, for a 74 y/o, I'm thinking and she is too, that she doesnt need a mechanical AV and there were mentions on the site of bovine vs porcine? Can anyone elaborate more?

 

[COLLEEN S]

Man I am nuts! She doesnt need a valve. She has an aneursym. Senior moment!

 

[dick0236]

If there are no extenuating circumstances I would take a tissue valve over a mechanical at age 74 with the hope that Warfarin would not be needed. My "gut" coupled with the experience of some friends tells me that ACT can easily become a problem with advanced age. My limited knowledge of tissue valves is that a tissue valve should last a 74 year old a lifetime.

Ooops, scratch the above advice, and I don't know nuthin' about aneurysms.

 

[Jkm7]

Beats me why my surgeon preferred bovine over procine but I had bovine implanted about 15 months ago and so far, so good. As long as I got tissue valve, whichever he chose was fine by me.

Okay, I just read your second post. Her valve is fine? She just has to deal with aneurism?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

How did they discover this Aortic Aneurism?

What led them to perform the test(s) that confirmed this diagnosis?

Does she have a BiCuspid Aortic Valve?

My thinking on Bovine versus Porcine is that the Bovine Tissue Valves have a proven longevity approaching 20 years in patients over 60 or 65 y.o. at the time of implantation whereas the "Improved" Porcine Valves have not been around long enough to know how long they will last. The Porcine Valves typically have a Lower Gradient which is advantageous to athletic types who want maximum (athletic) performance. I'm thinking this is not a concern for your mother.

 

[john79t]

Colleen
You did not say where the anuerysm is. Many can be treated with a cath. delivered stent today.


Johan
I am 61 and getting the carpenter Edawards bovine valve. These new ones are expected to get 20 plus years in folks over 60. I agree with Ross at 66 I don't think you want to deal with the problems of C. If the bovine gets you 20 years that would make you 86. None of us are going to live forever.

 

[COLLEEN S]

Hi thanks to all who replied. Her aneurysm is aortic ascending, she's 74, newly diagnosed with COPD. She was diagnosed by CT scan. She doesnt need a valve. She is not BVD. With a cath? Are you kidding me? Seriously?

 

[Lynlw]

Hi thanks to all who replied. Her aneurysm is aortic ascending, she's 74, newly diagnosed with COPD. She was diagnosed by CT scan. She doesnt need a valve. She is not BVD. With a cath? Are you kidding me? Seriously?

I'm not sure if they are using them in the ascending part of aorta's yet, but here is a descripition endovascular stent graft http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/aorta_marfan/endovascularaorticaneurysm.aspx

 

[COLLEEN S]

Wow that is so major! Thanks!