Please i need some info?

[crzylolo27]

Hi my name is Carlos and i was informed that i will need aortic valve replacement and talking into having it in September. Anyone in or around san francisco that can give me some information about which type of valve i was informed by my dr about the ON-X valve anyone have this valve and.

Alos me and my brother both had asd repairs when we were kids. He is a year younger. Does anyone know if he might also need a valve repair i have asked him. He went to his pcp dr. who said he is fine but i suggested go to cardiologist. Is there anyone that has 2 kids that had this type of surgery or siblings.

Please let me know

 

[Yaps]

Welcome Carlos,
I have a st judes mitral valve. My knowledge on arotic is limited, so rather than give you wrong info, I will wait for some to respond. Just wanted to wish you a welcome.
I am sure many will answer you soon. Love Yaps

 

[catwoman]

Carlos:
Several here have On-X valves -- don't know if they're in mitral or aortic position. I'm sure they'll respond to your query.

What is the nature of your aortic valve problem? Stenosis? Bicuspid?

My ASD wasn't discovered until during my valve surgery. I would think that if you & your brother had ASDs repaired while very young and if you're brother is having no symptoms or unusual sounds, that he's OK. If your problem is bicuspid aortic valve, you may suggest that your brother visit a cardiologist. BAV is congenital, and seems that it can sometimes affect several in a family -- at least from what I've picked up at vr.com -- and since both of you had ASDs ...

 

[charlie b]

Many options

Many options

Hi Carlos, you have come to the right place, there are folks on this site that can provide you with a great deal of information. I am new at this whole thing. I am 56, and had my aortic valve replaced 8 weeks ago. I choose the Edwards Magna Perimount, (www.edwards.com), a bovine tissue valve. There are many options out there, do your homework and you will find the right choice for you. Again, I leaned heavily on this site and the many fine, caring and informed people involved here. As I was told, at some point your decisions will become clear and you will feel confident in your choice. Best to you and yours. God Bless, Charlie B

 

[hensylee]

Welcome, Carlos, to ValveReplacement.com. If you search, you can find a lot of information. The rest of the VR family will be coming on, probably tonight, to help you along with your questions.

I believe we have some who have a family situation where there are heart valve problems. You were right in suggesting your brother see a cardiologist.

 

[tobagotwo]

The On-X carbon valve is manufactured by MCRI, and their website is http://www.mcritx.com/index.htm . There are links on the home page to the valve site ( http://www.mcritx.com/carbon.htm ) and to other manufacturing and historical information that explains how the valve is made and why it was developed differently.

It is a mechanical valve, with a low profile for causing strokes or damaging red blood cells. There are studies going on now to determine if it might even be safe enough to use aspirin in place of warfarin as an anticoagulant (a drug that keeps your blood from clotting, to avoid valve-generated strokes). Or there could be a slightly lower INR tradeoff (how much warfarin you have in your bloodstream).

Do not make plans that count on either of these, however. Please approach your valve realistically. These are hopeful maybes, not realities at this time.

The St. Jude valve has the longest track record of current mechanical valves, and it is a good one. However, its design has not changed in almost twenty years.

The initial take on the On-X seems to be that its improvements on the basic bileaflet design have earned regard. Based on the basic reliability of the carbon, bileaflet design, and on testing, there is no reason to believe it will last any less time than any of the other top mechanical brands.

Best wishes,