Need info / opinions on ATS Valves

[ALCapshaw2]

OK, before finalizing my Valve Choice, I'd like to understand the trade-offs between On-X, ATS, St. Jude Regent, and the standard St. Jude Valve in the MITRAL position.

I like what I've read about On-X, but the surgeon(s) at UAB apparently haven't used them before, at least not the one I would prefer to use. He did mention ATS which makes me suspect he is familiar with that valve.

Since this will be my second valve and in the MITRAL position which has a higher incidence of clot formation, I am keenly interested in the third generation valves with the lower propensity for clot formation.

I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who has an ATS (or St. Jude Regent) valve or is familiar with the trade-offs between these new valves.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[sue943]

I hadn't found this site prior to my surgery so didn't know that there was a choice of brands, just 'tissue or mechanical' so opted for mechanical but commented to the surgeon that I cannot abide the sound of a ticking clock when I am in bed to which he saaid "oh dear". I woke up with a couple of ATS valves and as I have said several times, I almost never hear them.

Apart from heart block from digoxin intolerance and a few months of AFib which was treated with Amiodarone for a while, everything went fine and continues to be that way.

Having the two valves, my INR range is 3.0 to 4.0. I had a check up with my cardiologist today, it is seventeen months since OHS and all appears to be well.

 

[Nancy]

There was mention of it in Peter Easton's long thread

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304&page=2&highlight="advancing+standard"

You can also Google "ATS valve" or "Advancing the Standard" valve

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Al -

I guess I have missed what has been happening with you; when are you going in for your new valve? What's up with the old one?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hi Al -

I guess I have missed what has been happening with you; when are you going in for your new valve? What's up with the old one?

Best wishes. I always enjoy your posts.

My St. Jude Mechanical Valve continues to function well in the AORTIC position. My native MITRAL Valve is slowly deteriorating (another 'benefit' from "Just in Case" Radical Radiation Therapy to my CHEST for a lump on my NECK(diagnosed as Hodgkins disease decades ago )).

WHEN to replace is THE question. My numbers have stabilized for the last year or two but symptoms (SOB, chest pain) are becoming more noticable. Still trying to figure out what is causing the symptoms. Going for Stress Echo next. Echo and Cath show NO CHANGE.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Phyllis Jean]

Ats

Ats

I received the ATS valve two years ago in 2004. Dr. Michael Sekela, was my surgeon. (Lexington, KY) It is very quiet. I rarely ever hear it. So far everything is going fine. I am taking Coumadin and the dosage has been the same since I received it. (7.5 Mg.) I recently found out I have an irregular heart beat. I don't know what caused it, but I am trying to find out. This probably doesn't help with your question, but I wish you every success in whatever the future holds.

 

[alex c.]

Al, first of all I want to wish you the very best with whatever valve you decide on.

I went out of my way to get the On-x valves, especially because one was going into the mitral position. I did a TON of research and read nothing but good things about the On-x valve. My surgeon only implanted St Jude (which was my 2nd choice) and for insurance reasons I really didn't have many options. I contacted On-x in my area and the rep met with my surgeon and presented him with the valves to compare to the St Jude. My surgeon said they were very similar and felt he could safely implant the On-x. After the surgery, my surgeon has told me at least twice how impressed he was with the On-x and will begin recommending them to his patients. I have been taking about 3 mg of Coumadin with these valves. We are still trying to adjust my INR levels, but I think 3 mg is about where I will be. They had recommended 7.5 with the St Jude also, had I gone with that valve.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Al, I had the same question SusanBAV posted (i.e., What did I miss???) and searched your past posts for the answer before scrolling to her question and your response.... I'm glad you are doing your homework at this point and not in dire straits. I hope you have a VERY long time to contemplate valves.

 

[starfish11040]

alex,

You said something that troubles me. Apparently your surgeon was not familiar with the On-x valve. You introduced him to it and "After the surgery, my surgeon has told me at least twice how impressed he was with the On-x and will begin recommending them to his patients."

It seems like laymen on this board know more about the latest valve technology than some professionals. I asked my cardiologist about On-x and its reduced need for anti-coagulant. He seemed to be unaware of it.

These are the people who we count on for advice. Scary.

 

[alex c.]

alex,

You said something that troubles me. Apparently your surgeon was not familiar with the On-x valve. You introduced him to it and "After the surgery, my surgeon has told me at least twice how impressed he was with the On-x and will begin recommending them to his patients."

It seems like laymen on this board know more about the latest valve technology than some professionals. I asked my cardiologist about On-x and its reduced need for anti-coagulant. He seemed to be unaware of it.

These are the people who we count on for advice. Scary.

Yes! Exactly. I completely agree with you. My surgeon had heard about the On-x, but thought they only made a mitral valve. I had On-x contact him so they could better inform him. They had a meeting and he learned more and enough to feel he could safely implant the valves. My cardio had NO info on the On-x and kept referring me to get the St. Jude. I told him I was sold on the On-x and sent him all the info I had so he could learn about it. It was worth it to me to take that risk to have the On-x valves. Only time will tell if I made the right choice.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

My cardio had NO info on the On-x and kept referring me to get the St. Jude. I told him I was sold on the On-x and sent him all the info I had so he could learn about it. It was worth it to me to take that risk to have the On-x valves. Only time will tell if I made the right choice.

I'm in the same position. The surgeon I wish to use is in state (100 miles from my home), IN NETWORK (for insurance), is Highly Regarded, AND is the ONLY Doctor I've ever seen who KNOWS off the top of his head what Radiation does to the Heart. He has offered to give me my valve of choice, with that understanding that he has NEVER implanted an On-X (nor has anyone else at UAB).

This will require a LEAP of FAITH as you took so your post is quite inspiring. The alternative is to go to EMORY in Atlanta which presents several obsticles since travel is DIFFICULT for me and my S.O. for other medical reasons. And who knows what Insuranges Issues and/or SURPRISES might await me going to an Out of Network Surgeon at an Out of Network Hospital in another state.

The time is drawing NEAR. After the Stress Echo, the UAB Surgeon's Assistant called recommending surgery stating the well known VR.com Mantra: "SOONER is BETTER", but I could wait until after the Holidays.

'Al Capshaw'
---------------
Radiation Therapy: "The Gift that Keeps on Giving"

 

[Susan BAV]

...The time is drawing NEAR. After the Stress Echo, the UAB Surgeon's Assistant called recommending surgery stating the well known VR.com Mantra: "SOONER is BETTER", but I could wait until after the Holidays.

Do you have a date yet, Al? Hope all goes well for you. Sounds like you've researched this thing very well.

 

[Sheila2old]

Hi Al,
Sorry I haven't been online much since my surgery, cold molasses seems to be winning the race that I'm running nowadays! I hate to hear that you are going to have to have your mitral valve replaced too. I guess I'm lucky that I got the 2 for 1 special.
Honestly, if you want the On-X valves, Emory is THE place to be but I see that could cause problems for you with your insurance. Dr. Omar Lattouf at Emory Crawford Long is the leader in a study about On-X valves and he is awesome! His whole team is fantastic and I sure wish I could have them closer to me to visit more often. Their office has been great about giving me advice and helping with my problems since surgery. (My Cardio is an fool)
I am sorry that I can't give you any real advice on what to do but I wish you the best of luck and pray that whatever you decide goes very well!!
By the way, I finally got my medical records for my radiation therapy years ago and I cried like a baby as I read them and came to terms with what that treatment cost me all these years later. I'm going to try to find out where to report the information about damages post treatment.

 

[davidfortune]

Al,

You might contact MCRI and have them contact your surgeon to discuss/present/compare.

I would want him as familiar as possible and comfortable that their reputation is more than just marketing hype. I like what they say and Europe is ahead of us in this arena so there is more history there than here. I just would want my surgeon to have any special instruction/instruments/assistance he might need to do this right the first time he does it.

Here's MCRI info.

Customer Service: [email protected]
phone: (888) 339-8000 extension 261 Toll free US and Canada
phone: (512) 339-8000 extension 261
fax: (888) 339-3636 Toll free US and Canada
fax: (512) 339-3636

Marketing: [email protected]

Heart Valve Sales:
USA Sales: Clyde Baker [email protected]
European Sales: Scott Peters [email protected]
Rest Of The World Sales: Regina Creekmore [email protected]

Carbon Coating Services: Jonathan Stupka [email protected]

Investor Relations and Corporate:
President: Clyde Baker [email protected]
Chief Financial Officer: Bill McClellan [email protected]

Other Inquiries: [email protected]

MCRI Web Site: http://www.mcritx.com

Mailing Address:
Medical Carbon Research Institute
8200 Cameron Road, Suite A-196
Austin, Texas 78754-3832

 

[alex c.]

Al, I hope you get the valves you want and feel good about your decision.

I'm sure you have this already, but the lady that helped me is: Catheran Burnett, [email protected]. She is awesome and put me in touch with the rep in my area. I talked to him, told him my situation and he met with my surgeon to compare the valves and go over anything and everything. He also attended my surgery to make sure things went well. On-x does that with all surgeons who are installing On-x for the first few times. I couldn't go anywhere else either because of insurance and distance problems. Believe me, I tried and was denied. I'm sure things will turn out well for you Al, no matter what you decide on. Good luck!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thanks Sheila, David, and Alex.

I've been communicating with Catharan Burnett over the last couple of weeks. When my Surgeon's Assistant asked me to provide some WRITTEN material she could pass along to the Surgeon, I asked Catharan to contact his office to arrange for whatever he needed to see.

Catharan told me she is a former Surgical Nurse (Texas Heart Institute if I remember right) and really knows Valves. Before joining On-X she said she was at St. Jude. She is currently the Education and Promotion Manager at MCRI, maker of the On-X Valves.

Sheila, it's good to hear from you. YES indeed, you are very fortunate to have received On-X Valves in BOTH positions in one operation. Just try to be patient, and I KNOW how hard that is. A L O N G and S L O W recovery seems to be just another 'gift' from our Radiation Therapy. Better that than the other possibility.

'AL Capshaw'
--------------
Radiation Therapy: "The Gift the Keeps on Giving"