Those with mechanical valves

[HarleyM]

I have read where they all leak. How much regurgitation do you have with the mechanical valve? What type of valve do you have? How often do you go for echos for follow up? Thanks.

Harley

 

[kingpeta]

Good question. I'd like to know, too. I've had 1 echo since surgery at about 2 months post op. At that time my EF was about the same as pre-surgery. I assumed a prosthetic valve would leak less than a bicuspid valve, but I've also read that all mech. valves leak more than a "normal" aortic valve.

My next cardio visit is in June so we'll see what he says then as far as echo follow-ups. My valve brand is in my signature.

 

[geebee]

I have a St. Jude (implanted 12 years ago) and it is leaking slightly. Don't recall the actual measurement but it is considered trivial. The leakage is in one area around the sewing ring which is very common. I just recently graduated to echos every 2 years unless I experience odd symptoms that might warrant one sooner. I went every 6 months for the first 3 years, then yearly until last year when we changed it to every 2 years.

 

[Ross]

St Jude almost 4 years ago. Well seated and no apparent leaks. Echo every May/June.

 

[Rush20]

I have a St. Jude (implanted 12 years ago) and it is leaking slightly. Don't recall the actual measurement but it is considered trivial. The leakage is in one area around the sewing ring which is very common. I just recently graduated to echos every 2 years unless I experience odd symptoms that might warrant one sooner. I went every 6 months for the first 3 years, then yearly until last year when we changed it to every 2 years.

My St. Jude was implanted almost three years ago. I just had my first post op. echo last month. Results were good. My cardio indicated that I also have trivial leakage around the sewing ring which he also indicated as very common and nothing to worry about. I guess the leakage is more the result of the force of blood flow the mechancal valves dispurse.

 

[sue943]

Apparently my mitral valve has mild regurgitation, and the comment 'mobile' whatever that means. My aortic has an estimated pressure drop of 36mmhg, no significat reflux. Again, I have no idea what it means.

If anyone can interpret I will be delighted.

I will be seeing my cardiologist on Saturday.

 

[Granbonny]

My mechanical valve just turned age 4.. I had an echo at 6 months post-op..Now every year in November..Cardio visit afterwards..it was fine.for all 4 years.. In fact, I think I had to ask.. and he would look it up and say..Oh, Great. Bonnie

 

[RCB]

Impossible to answer!

Impossible to answer!

I have read where they all leak. How much regurgitation do you have with the mechanical valve? What type of valve do you have? How often do you go for echos for follow up? Thanks.

Harley

It really hard to answer a question as general as that, unless you quote a source or at least define the term "leak". To assume that all mech. valves
leak as a premise in your question is like asking someone how often do they beat their spouse! Citation please.

 

[Rich]

I am coming up on ten years with my St. Jude, and I'm not aware of any leakage.
I have an echo every other year.
Rich

 

[MrP]

I was told that very slight regurgitation is typical after aortic valve replacement and is more a function of the skill of the surgeon than anything else. Even with the best surgeon, rarely will the ring/sutures for the prosthetic valve NOT have some slight regurgitation.

My annual cardio tests consist of treadmill stress test, echo for evaluation of the prosthetic valve and native valves, as well as CT scan for evaluation of my prosthetic/aorta aorta.

 

[JimL]

I remember hearing years ago that all valves leak, and need to leak a small amount. The valves God gave us leak a little, and mechanical valves are designed to do the same. Maybe this needs correcting, because it's based on my memory, which is none too good.

 

[Nan]

Have never been told that my St. Judes aortic valve is leaking. Lots of other stuff but never about a leak! Echos still every 6 months, but then I have a leaky mitral valve as well.

 

[fyrfytr]

It was 3 years ago on the 21st that I had my surgery and just had my yearly echo on the 6th and my cardiologist said my valve is well seated,is not leaking and everything looked Great.
Take Care

 

[HarleyM]

Thanks for the reply's. I just read where all the mechanicals leak around the leaflets and wanted to know how much. The leakage around the valve as I understand it depends on the surgeon and your body. Off to pre-op at 12:30 today. I'm now getting a little nervous.

Harley

 

[Heidi511]

Leaky Aortic Valve

Leaky Aortic Valve

I thought I'd chime in. My valve was 2 years old the 1st of March. My EF was 15% preoperatively, after the 1st year, it was 30%, now, after 2 years, it's 35%. However, I have developed a perivalvular leak. My Card. said it's nothing to worry about but that he wants to keep a close eye on it. He feels it's necessary for me to have echoes every six months.

 

[geebee]

I'd be willing to bet that many , many people in the general population of folks without valve issues have trivial valve leaks. Obviously those people never have a reason for an echo so we will never know.
I do not even consider a "trivial" leak an issue and certainly not one to use as a reason to avoid a mechanical valve (just in case this thread was sending you in that direction). You might even see the same thing with tissue valves.

 

[HarleyM]

I'm set on the ON-X and I look forward to a boring surgery. I am also looking forward to giving information on the ON-X valve to others that are waiting.
Thank you all,
Harley

 

[Rush20]

Thanks for the reply's. I just read where all the mechanicals leak around the leaflets and wanted to know how much. The leakage around the valve as I understand it depends on the surgeon and your body. Off to pre-op at 12:30 today. I'm now getting a little nervous.

Harley

You said it better than I did. This is how my cardio described the trivial leakage I have. The leaflets are rigid, therefore there is always a small amount that leaks back. However natural valves and tissue valves can also have small trivial leakage as well.

To put things in perspective, my heart, by body and my overall well-being is much better served with trivial leakage from my St. Jude than the Moderate to Severe leakage I had from my original failing bicuspid aortic valve.

I image a future where the mechanical leaflets will be flexible carbon similar to the natural valve.

 

[RCB]

All valves leak! Native, tissue, mech. and ****.

All valves leak! Native, tissue, mech. and ****.

Thanks for the reply's. I just read where all the mechanicals leak around the leaflets and wanted to know how much. The leakage around the valve as I understand it depends on the surgeon and your body. Off to pre-op at 12:30 today. I'm now getting a little nervous.

Harley

How much is a matter of time and degree. We have several recent repairs(the best of all solutions to valve problems) that are considered successful if they have a rating of 1 to 1+. Native valves leak to some degree in most people, but it is so small it can't be measured. Mech. valves have now gone
for over three decades in thousands of people and they almost certainly have leaks, but function fine. If you get a tissue valve, the clock starts ticking right alway till it leaks so badly you have to have it replaced, of course unless
you die first. It doesn't matter what kind of valve you get, they all leak
to some degree.