The near future (non-mechanical)

[Andyrdj]

Final Thoughts - thanks to everyone!!

Final Thoughts - thanks to everyone!!

Well, when I went home last weekend I had a lot to think about.

Have decided I must ration my participation on this board to allow more mulling over of the information provided, and to stop myself going barmy thinking over "what ifs?". Not quite "ignorance is bliss", but I'll have some further stuff to discuss at my next appointment.

The last post from user tobagotwo was particularly informative about what is likely for someone of my age. Thank you for a very impartial post.

I hope this post has been of use to others in my position - it's certainly brought a wide range of opinions in. I fear that you will probably have to go through the same palaver again for the next guy, however.

After this post, I will be retiring from this discussion, though I might either start new ones or participate in existing ones on the following topics.

1. The best we can do with Tissue Valves
- to include State of the art longside proven valves, discussing stuff like valve longevity, other cures/treatments for atrial fibrillation (e.g. http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arrhythmias/a/ablateafib.htm), anti calcification treatment and new stem cell technology

2. The best we can do with mechanical Valves
- The best of the new mechanical, alongside the proven old - including the possibilities of anticoagulation free mech valves, maybe even someone has invented one that doesn't click!

Having had this discussion here, we can all refer back to it when comparing the two, and these two new discussions can be cause for optimism and independant weighing of the facts

What do you thin, folks

And finally - I've said this before, but to anyone worried about mech valves as a result of what I've said - DON'T! I know very few people with a mindset like mine, and you're not likely to be one of them! Most of the worrying was my own fault for being a difficult so and so, so you will most likely be fine!

 

[catwoman]

- next generation porcine/bovine bioprosthesis: I've been fairly impressed with the 20 year follow up on the Hancock 2, and I believe there has been 8+ years very impressive follow up on the Mosaic from Medtronic. Might be optimistic, but might be reasonable to expect 15 years from one of these.
- Percutaneous valve replacement. Designed to sit over the existing valve, and potentially be replaced on multiple occasions. Early stages yet. Would like to know if anyone has considered how to remove traditionally implanted valves and replace them, all using the percutaneous method?

I'm the sort of person who would volunteer for something more risky in order to gain more. Sure, life is precious, but only if you personally feel it's living. I'm not gung ho about this, I do intend to research these ideas thoroughly. And I'm willing to undergo multiple further operations if I have to - "better a day as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb".

To the point where I would sign a "do not resuccitate" order if my doctor was in mid operation and found he had no option but to install a mechanical valve.

Andy:
Suggest you check out Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic or other teaching hospitals with top-ranked cardiac facilities about the bovine/porcine valves or the percutaneous procedure.
My nephew-in-law works in the medical investments field and has mentioned the percutaneous procedure and I think said that someone is even working on doing mechanicals via catheter rather than traditional sternotomy or MIS methods.

Some people get tissue valves and still have to take warfarin for a variety of reasons.

I do take warfarin, but I'm not a 24/7 patient. I have a couple of drinks a month -- no more than that because of weight control issues rather than because of the warfarin.
My surgeon attempted a repair, but it didn't work so he went with a St. Jude as I had decided. If I had given my doctors a DNR order rather than getting a mechanical, my family would have been grief-stricken.