radiation damaged heart questions

[mac]

just got back from 2 days at Mayo. Had another Eco to confirm that I have sever aortic stenosis. My surgeon is adamant about using a mechanical valve, since I had radiation to my chest back in 71 for Hodgkins. Said he doesn't want to see me back in 10 years or sooner. He said he has had tissue valve people back sometimes within a year because of the complications due to healing and etc from issues with tissue valves placed in people who have had radiation damage. I would like to hear some other opinions from people who have had radiation damage and have tissue valves I really do not want to be on blood thinners the rest of my life, but also the second operation 15 years down the road is very high risk with radiation damaged hearts. Also is it really that hard to regulate blood thinners?

 

[CThrock]

Hi Mac,
Glad to have you here on the forum. I had OHS and I had radiation in the late 70's due to Hodgkins also. I have two mechanical valves and I don't plan on having another surgery for many years, but I can't that because even with mechanical valve you just never know.
I have been on warfarin for over three years and really have had no problem adjusting to it.
You have to weigh the good and the bad with everything. I'm just thankful that I'm alive and for most part doing well.
Ive also had lung surgery due to radiation in 2007 removing a nodule that had busted. So you just never know what can come up and that lung surgery was alot worse then the OHS. I now more people on here have had OHS due to the radiation treatments so I'll let them post also. Take care and whatever decision you make may it be the best.
Keep us updated on what you plan to do. God Bless!

Crystal