Preparing For the Knife

[Luckyguy17]

Just wondering, if you went with one mechanical why not get both mechanical? You have to be anticoagulated anyway.

Good question and here is the surgeons answer

mechanical for aortic valve will always require anti coag, no discussion

Mitral valve has a lot more "wind tunnel" effect and therefore clotting not a common issue in mitral positition, with repair as done by surgeon.

with bio aortic and mech mitral, anti coag is likely 90 days, aspirin thereafter

least that was the plan pre op, will know more assuredly when meeting surgeon for f-up in about 3 weeks

Gil

 

[Lynlw]

Good question and here is the surgeons answer

mechanical for aortic valve will always require anti coag, no discussion

Mitral valve has a lot more "wind tunnel" effect and therefore clotting not a common issue in mitral positition, with repair as done by surgeon.

with bio aortic and mech mitral, anti coag is likely 90 days, aspirin thereafter

least that was the plan pre op, will know more assuredly when meeting surgeon for f-up in about 3 weeks

Gil

Are you talking about a ring or other part used in the repair of the mitral valve, and not an actual replacement with a mechanical valve? Because I'm pretty sure with a replacement not repair, you need coumadin for mechanical valves in the mitral position. But if it is a repair that makes a little more sense.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

With a Ring Repair in the Mitral Position, anti-coagulation is usually not needed unless the patient also has Atrial Fibrilation.

With a Mechanical Valve in the Mitral Position, there is actually a Higher Risk of Clotting (than the Aortic Position) due to lower velocity through the valve (and I'm thinking eddy currents are more of a problem in that position also).

'AL C'

 

[Bill B]

Recovery is variable, but generally it's at least a couple of months before you are back to near 100%. Often much longer, but rarely much shorter. In my experience, organized cardiac rehab is extremely helpful in speeding the recovery. Regardless of the valve you choose, you should end up with NO restrictions at all on exercise or activity after a specified recovery period during which there are some restrictions. My surgeon was very clear on that, and I had a valve and aorta graft. Some surgeons apparently are not that confident and may indicate some ongoing limitations. Unless there is some permanent cardiac damage or you suffer from some other problems, you should expect to be totally free, whether you get a mechanical or biologic valve. I was a marathon runner in my youth, and I have recently resumed running again after a 25 year hiatus. I was anemic and had reduced exercise tolerance after surgery for about 3-4 months, and now at 6 months I'm ready to rock and roll.

Anyway, good luck with making your "choice" both of your surgeon and which valve, etc. I wish I could help you but I don't know Shands or that surgeon, other than Shands has a reputation as a top medical center.

Bill

 

[hensylee]

welcome to VR. when facing surgery, this is the best place to be and you will hear it like it is. Blessins........

 

[njean]

Mechanical Valves are designed to last several lifetimes. Pannus Tissue Growth can impede valve operation thus requiring replacement in a small percentage of cases.

That's what happened in my case & why I had to go in to have my aortic mechanical valve swapped out with a new one in 2006. And, the same thing is happening to the mitral mechanical valve so I may have to undergo yet a 4th OHS!

But like Al said, such cases are very rare so I wouldn't waste precious time thinking this might happen to you!