Sudden Valve failure

[MrMike]

Hey everyone, I am new here i just returned home from my OHS which was on May 31st 2006, I had my AVR with an On-X valve i didnt have time to look around for information on valves and i asked my Dr what kind of Valve he planned to use an he said the On-X so i didnt question it because i knew little about this, My main question is do these valves suddenly fail to where nothing can be done for you or is it a slow process?

 

[OldManEmu]

Failure

Failure

Welcome aboard MrMike. Don't worry about sudden catastrophic valve failure with your mechanical valve it is so rare in the 1 in 100'sK that there are far more things in life you need to worry about than this. Accelerated wear testing has been performed on the current generation of mechanical valves and they have show to have an anticipated service life of 100+ years; longer than we are likely to need them. Failure is more likely of the stitching holding the valve in place; a leakage this usually occurs slowly and should be picked up on your follow up echo?s, the other problem that can occur is panus the ingrowth of tissue into the valve opening this is also a slow process and should be picked up in your follow up.

 

[Ross]

Mechanically that valve will never fail. Now other things can go wrong such as infection on the suture ring setting in, vegetation as you age and such, but mechanically you have no worries.

Catastrophic failure is a thing of the past. Now if things go bad, it's just as if your having your symptoms all over again because you are. Slow progression and lots of warning.

You have one of the best mechanical valves available today in my opinion.