Tissue Regrets??

[Keithl]

Let's not forget guys and gals that it's not all about tissue and mechanical any more there is a breakthrough on polymer valves. There is an engineer who has devised a way of making a polymer that will bend one way but not the other. So a valve can be made to open oneway but not leak back. The valves are already being tested at high speeds so they can get a 1/2 a million beats in a 6 month period. They are also running many of these at the same time so as to get a clear picture of how the valves will fare over a long period. The engineer in charge is expecting these to be used within a few years rather than decades. No blood thinners needed either. I had my large bovine done 18 months ago and I am hoping by the time I am in need of a new one that there is a valve that will last 30 years and can be fitted and forgotten that is not mechanicaI. I really dread having ohs again although it saved my life. ( I collapsed while exercising age 53 and was told it was bicuspid from birth. It was so blocked I was held in hospital until it was done. Thanks to the Royal Brompton.) I'm only just coming to terms with it all mentally really, which I believe will also be a lot easier in the future decades, when surgery will be minimally invasive and a valve popped in place that needs no drugs or further work barring something extraordinary. It will come.

This was part of the decision process I had when I made my decision last month. I knew medical advances would come, but would they come in a way that would make it worth going with a tissue valve. I decided that mechanical was tried and true and odds were in my favor of one and done. I hope this polymer works out, but I would likely still want a proven (years of history and stats) which is why when they kept telling me TAVR would be 90% likelyfor me if I went tissue and I look at the the track record is not there yet on TAVR I said no think I'll deal with Coumadin which so far has been easy to work with.

 

[GaryMc]

I am 56 and just had my aortic valve replaced via minimally invasive surgery and I chose Bovine. I am relatively young, healthy, and active and did not want to be on blood thinners and all that entails. My surgeon expects TAVR to be available when I eventually need a replacement. Clinical trials with non-fragile younger patients are ongoing and looking promising. I work in research and did a ton of research on this subject when making my decision.

Your situation sounds like mine. I'm using that same logic. My surgery will be next month. It can be very nerve wracking trying to decide witch way to go. I feel a lot better after meeting with my surgeon yesterday. Tissue now, TAVR later.

 

[Suckyvalvegurl]

I don't do a bunch of medical stuff (blood thinners) well. I knew I was not an ideal candidate for that LOL. Also, I had only 2 weeks from echo to surgery so not a lot of time to dwell on it.

Wishing you a very good experience.