welcome to the site. I was in your shoes about 2 months ago. Here are some facts about the ON-X valve that I had researched.
Surface is smoother than the other valves
Leaflets open at 90 degrees, this causes less turbulence of the blood. I had complete blood work done 2 days post op and the blood specialists said she didn't see fragmented cells as with other mechanical valves.
Also at high heart rates, the ON-X valve doesn't restrict blood flow as much as others mechanicals.
The On-X doesn't come with Dacron for root replacement. I have read here that was a deciding factor for many needing root replacement. I will tell you my story and you can take what you like from it. I researched all the valves for a year and decided on the ON-X. My surgeon had never used one and gathered some info for me. After 2 months he really liked the features it offered. I went off to surgery and after I was opened up, 3 aneurysms were found(needed root replacement). He left the OR and met my wife in the cafeteria. Told her of the findings, that the ON-X didn't have the Dacron and asked her what she wanted to do. She really wanted me to have the ON-X and told the surgeon that. He said he could sew the valve in the tubing himself and proceed. She said that's what I(meaning me) would have wanted and that's what he did. Surgery time was 81 min total and another 3 hours waiting for the blood to stop before he closed me up. My surgeon, DR KUYKENDALL, is VERY good and I trust him completely. The morning after, he came in my room, said he woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. He wanted a cath done to make sure that everything he done was perfect because it had to last me a long time. Cath was done and all is great. I am very thankful that he performed the replacement and made the ON-X valve work. My INR started out low(1.5) then 1.8, 2.1, 2.5, 2.1, 1.9 today. All on the same dosage and no green veggies. I have no brusing or bleeding from the coumadin. I also like the tolerance this valve gives for low inr. My range is 2.0 to 3.0. I am doing GREAT @ almost 7 weeks. I can hear the valve but it's not bad at all.
I hope this helps and if you have any questions feel free to ask me. This is a great site and it helped me beyond words I could say.
