St Jude

[ALCapshaw2]

A few years ago, On-X sent me an 'Information Package' which included a pair of tables entitled "Morbid Event Rates Comparison" for both the Aortic and Mitral positions with footnotes indicating the source of the data for each company which included PMA (something about Safety and Effectiveness) Summaries (ATS and CMI) and FDA submissions.

The combined rates in (% per pt-year) for Thromboembolism, Thrombosis, and Hemorrhage for the

Aortic Position were

On-X = 2.14 % per pt-year
SJM = 3.90 St. Jude Medical
CMI = 2.96 Carbomedics
ATS = 4.04 ATS
MH = 2.50 Medtronic Hall (I believe that is a single leaflet valve)

Mitral Position

On-X = 1.86 % per pt-year
SJM = 3.34
CMI = 4.44
ATS = 5.07
MH = 4.30

I left off the breakdowns by categories because I'm not about to sit here and re-type all that data. Note that other factors such as Hemolysis (blood cell damage) and Pannus Tissue Growth are not included in the above statistics.

The complete charts are available to ANYONE who asks for them. Just call or e-mail On-X and they will send you whatever information you request. Contact information is on their website www.onxvalves.com or 888-339-8000.

They have recently published another set of Bar Graphs which also include several tissue valves (which I find a little hard to interpret - too much information in too little space... give me the numbers in a spread sheet format please).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[olefin]

I've had my St. Jude for 27 and a half years and it's still going strong with no problems. The St. Jude valve hadn't been approved by the FDA when I had mine put in but my only other choices were valves that the surgeon felt sure would have to be replaced in the future hence we went with the St. Jude. I was 29 at the time and now I'm 56. Can't believe it's been this long. Anyway, just my two cents. LINDA

27 1/2 years, wow!
Mighty glad to read your post.
I've had mine for 18 years, I was 55 when it was implanted.
It's worked perfect, so far.
Hope your's and mine last forever.

 

[NewValveNY]

Hi Curtsmum,
I am happy with my St Jude's valve in the aortic position. I exercise almost everyday, bringing my heart rate through all of the levels of exercise and the valve is now just "part of my heart", opening and closing as my heart pumps either at rest or in the midst of a Spinning Class, or during weight training. I just want to show you that the valve does work just fine, but I do not know about other valves as I am not a doctor.
I hope my response helps.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi Curtsmum,
I am happy with my St Jude's valve in the aortic position. I exercise almost everyday, bringing my heart rate through all of the levels of exercise and the valve is now just "part of my heart", opening and closing as my heart pumps either at rest or in the midst of a Spinning Class, or during weight training. I just want to show you that the valve does work just fine, but I do not know about other valves as I am not a doctor.
I hope my response helps.

Thanks for the information, the St Jude seems like a really good valve and i know from coming on here that people have got many years out of the valve and its great to see. I have no dout that the valve does it job, just that a lot of people seem to be going for the On-x. When the surgeon told us he was going for a repair i never thought we would have to go through the valve thing but as he as a rare defect it will have to be replaced but i'm also hoping that the repair gets him to 18 and we don't have to worry about this yet but thanks for all the info.

 

[sheridan07]

I chose the St Jude valve as well. I have my surgery on Feb 23rd. My surgeon highly recommended it

 

[Curtsmum]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I also like geckleys way of thinking.