question about on-x

[scuba_898]

I met with a surgeon not too long ago and although he prefers the use of the on-x valve, he does not know if he will use it since i do have a BAV. his reasoning is based on the nature of my BAV and whether it is true or fused. I can't remember which one, but based on that he said i may have to have a aortic root replacement or maybe even the whole aorta. when i spoke to a different surgeon he said that it is rare that this needs to be done, in his experience 1/4 or less. now the 1st surgeon said that if i needed to have a root replacement done that he would not use the on-x as it has not been approved for use in that situation or something, that it can't be fitted with that type of graph. Is true to your experiences?? I know that i do not have an aortic aneurysm, is that the only reason to have a root replacement?? he also said that if my valve does appear to be the one that is prone to this, he may want to go ahead and do this at the time of surgery, in order to avoid a problem that could develop down the road, which could result in a 2nd surgery.

I did just see that davidswife posted about her husband. he recieved a on-x valve with a dacron graph. I know that everyones situation is different, but is that something that could be used in this type of situation? Is this the same thing? I should probably talk to my surgeon about this huh. I appreciate any help yall can give me.

 

[dtread]

Recommend you check with On-X. Contact Catheran Burnett, Manager Clinical Projects and Education, at 888-339-8000 x265 or email [email protected]

 

[ken taylor]

I agree cathryn is great .Call HER im in Houston now and my choice is the on-x ,I hope after they run test this will be possible. good luck

 

[Bob in Colorado]

Hi Scuba, good question.

I am leaving for the Cleveland Clinic in the morning. I am having my second surgery and am planning on the On-X valve. Because this is a second surgery and on a homograft, there is a possibility of the need for an aortic graft as well. I checked with my surgeon and he has implanted On-X with an attached graft on several occasions. I know of others that have as well.

Your surgeon may have been referring to product that On-X was hoping to have on the market late this year of the valve with an pre-manufactured conduit or graft. Some valve come pre-assembled.

As others have said, check with Catheran at On-X. She has all the information and is a big help.

Bob

 

[Danny]

Thanks for this post.. Im going to call her also. My problem is in my aortic annulus, or root? im not sure if they are the same thing. I wish someone could tell me. But im wanting an on-x if i need the valve relplaced. If anyone can tell me if the root and the annulus are the same thing, please leave me a message. Ive looked online, and it doesnt specify the difference. Thanks again.

 

[davidswife]

Hi Scuba,

David did get an On-X valve with a separate dacron graft to repair his ascending aortic aneurysm as his surgeon, Dr. Johnson, was able to save/repair the aortic root. Dr. Johnson told us that if he could not save the root then he was going to use a St. Jude's combo unit which has the dacron graft already connected to the valve. He said that in 90% of the cases he is able to save the root and we were really thankful that David's case was one of those as the On-X valve was our first choice. I did speak to Catheran at On-X after Dr. Johnson told us that he might have to use the St. Jude's combo unit and she said that they have been working on a combo unit but that it is not available yet. She said that it is possible to sew the graft on to the On-X valve if needed and that she could send someone out to teach Dr. Johnson how to do it if needed. I asked Dr. Johnson if he had ever sewn a graft on to an On-X valve. Although he really likes the On-X valve and tries to use it when he can, he said that he had never done this because he just uses the combo unit as it is easier and the St. Jude's valve is still a very good valve. I do believe that there are people on this board who have an On-X valve with an attached dacron graft (that was sewn together by the surgeon). Although we really wanted the On-X valve we agreed to go with the St. Jude's combo unit if the root could not be saved as we felt that it was best if Dr. Johnson did what he was most comfortable with. He has a lot of experience with valve replacements (he said he does about one every other day) and David really liked him and felt very confident in his ability. Luckily David was able to get the On-X valve. I hope that it works out for you as well as it did for David!

Nadine

 

[tobagotwo]

The main difference is that the St. Jude graft-and-valve is a premade set that simply gets installed. Other mechanical valves require that the graft be sewn onto them by the surgeon (usually during the surgery). Some surgeons are comfortable doing this, some are not. It does mean some extra pump time. It's done fairly often, so if the surgeon says it's not approved, that may mean by his particular hospital or insurance.

I don't know why more valve companies don't seem to manufacture the premade sets. I suspect that someone will provide St. Jude with some competition eventually (and I am hoping that will include On-X), but I am unaware of any currently.

Best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It is my understanding that On-X is working on a combined valve and aortic graft unit but it is not ready yet.

The conclusion that I have come to is that if a patient wants a particular valve or procedure, the patient needs to either find a Surgeon who has experience using that valve or procedure OR, persuade the Surgeon to use that valve or procedure and be willing to be his First Patient with that option.

Several of our members HAVE opted to be their Surgeon's First On-X patients and have all done well. On-X will send a representative to educate the Surgeon about the unique features and suggestions for implanting their valves.

 

[R&N Brown]

I have an On-X valve. Prior to the surgery there had been no conversation about repairing the root or implanting an aortic graft, just replacing the valve. At some point during the surgery it was determined that I needed more then just the valve.

Dr. Quinn seemed to have no issue in performing the procedure. I'm still here, plenty alive and feeling good. Living proof it can be done successfully.

I'm glad I had a surgeon with the wherewithal to stick with the On-X.

Rob