Bradley White
Well-known member
Hi,
I have a homograft pulmonary valve that was implanted when I was 17. You do not need to take any anti-rejection drugs for homografts. Taking them has not been shown to increase valve longevity at all. In general, pulmonary homografts have been shown to have good longevity in long-term studies.
Homografts are very hemodynamically efficient so they are good for athletes. Your son may very well still be able to play football. Mechanical valves are not often used to replace the pulmonary valve because that side of the heart is more "sluggish" than the left side which means that the mech valve tends to throw clots more often on the pulmonary side.
Good luck and I'll be thinking of you and your son,
Brad
I have a homograft pulmonary valve that was implanted when I was 17. You do not need to take any anti-rejection drugs for homografts. Taking them has not been shown to increase valve longevity at all. In general, pulmonary homografts have been shown to have good longevity in long-term studies.
Homografts are very hemodynamically efficient so they are good for athletes. Your son may very well still be able to play football. Mechanical valves are not often used to replace the pulmonary valve because that side of the heart is more "sluggish" than the left side which means that the mech valve tends to throw clots more often on the pulmonary side.
Good luck and I'll be thinking of you and your son,
Brad
