Thought I had My Mind Made Up...Confused

[harleygirl528]

Interesting article...that's some information that anyone facing this decision should definitely take a look at! At, it was published by the American Heart Association!!

Thanks so much for posting that article...it definitely solidifies my decision!

Take care and Happy HOlidays from a fellow Washingtonian!

 

[Lynlw]

I read this a while ago.
It was interesting to say the least.
AHA site caries it.

http://www.heart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3043397

God bless everyones decisions!
Merry CHRISTmas!

I think the title is very misleading "Tissue valves last as long as mechanical valves in young patients" since it makes it seem like the actual valves last as long. But what the study shows is the people have the same long term survival rates no matter which type of valve they get. Which is what we've said around here for a while

"In this study, researchers found that the 20- and 25-year survival rate in patients younger than age 50 did not differ between those who received tissue or mechanical devices. The findings show that at 20 years follow-up, the overall health risk of receiving a tissue valve is not greater than that of having a mechanical valve, even in young patients"

 

[Karlynn]

I agree, the title is hugely misleading.

The article is very confusing. If you read further on in the article less than 20% of those in the study were less than age 50, but they give the numbers for the entire group. There was no actual information for those less than 50 and for whom the title was aimed. For those simply scanning it, it makes it sound like a tissue valve is going to last 20 years in someone less than 50. That's questionable now, with today's technology, and pretty close to rare with technology from the last 20 years.

 

[geebee]

The article could be considered important in that it does seem to indicate valve replacement patients will live the same length of time regardless of the valve type but I am not sure that is new information. However, it does not really state that tissue valves last as long as mechanical despite the title of the article. The entire article focuses on how long patients survive not how long the valves last.

 

[Earthsciencerocks]

Still interesting!

Still interesting!

The info was meant as another piece in the decision making process. I used hundreds of pieces of information in forming my decision. This was just one. And a very interesting one. Lots of us young patients are out here. Any information on longevity helps me. The fact that the American Heart Association published it on their site added to it's value as well.

Godspeed the perfect valve choice!

 

[TomD]

Mechanical Valve

Mechanical Valve

At age 64 I was certain that I did not want to have another operation in my late 70's or mid 80's. Now that I am 4 weeks out I am so glad that I chose the St Jude mechanical valve. Yes there is warfarin to take but I do home monitoring and keep it under close control. My Stanford surgeon told me that while some tissue valves last 20 years the average is closer to 15 and some people are back in within 10 years. So if your prepared to go through it all again in 15-20 years then tissue is the way to go. It's a difficult decision when your 41 but as some others have said there just might be a medical advancement in the next 15 years that makes the re-operation less traumatic. Good luck.