Tissue Valve Turns 14

[johnnycake23]

Greetings,

It was 14 years ago today that I had my once-repaired aortic valve replaced with a C/E bovine valve at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It was not the smoothest road to recovery (collapsed lung, blood transfusion) but the staff there was great. And the last echo earlier this year showed that "the valve sounds fine."

Truth is, in all this time I've had more trouble with my rhythm than with the valve itself. I've had to deal with skipped heart beats and several prescription adjustments to regulate it, but it's something I just have to learn to live with (PVCs suck, in case you're wondering where I come down on that topic).

I know because it's a tissue that the valve will lose its utility sooner or later, but it made it to 14, which is a nice run. Next echo is in January, so we'll see how she checks in entering her 15th year.

Thank you for reading, and for the support you give me and others.

Johnny

 

[Chuck C]

Congratulations! Wishing you many more years with your valve!

 

[MartinF]

That's great news that the tissue valve has lasted that long.

 

[tom in MO]

Congratulations, may you have many more

 

[pellicle]

but it made it to 14, which is a nice run.

It is indeed. I hope you get a few more years out of it.

Best Wishes

 

[ValveAdmin]

Congratulations Johnny! Here's to many more years with your valve.

 

[Brokenhip]

That is a great run indeed, especially for someone so young. I'm running a similar valve but only closing in on 4 yrs & was significantly older @ 66. Best wishes going forward.

 

[heartlikeawheel]

Rooting for your valve to go 20!

 

[vitdoc]

Go valve!

 

[Seaton]

Happy 14th, Johnny!

 

[charlottekaye]

Greetings,

It was 14 years ago today that I had my once-repaired aortic valve replaced with a C/E bovine valve at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It was not the smoothest road to recovery (collapsed lung, blood transfusion) but the staff there was great. And the last echo earlier this year showed that "the valve sounds fine."

Truth is, in all this time I've had more trouble with my rhythm than with the valve itself. I've had to deal with skipped heart beats and several prescription adjustments to regulate it, but it's something I just have to learn to live with (PVCs suck, in case you're wondering where I come down on that topic).

I know because it's a tissue that the valve will lose its utility sooner or later, but it made it to 14, which is a nice run. Next echo is in January, so we'll see how she checks in entering her 15th year.

Thank you for reading, and for the support you give me and others.

Johnny

If I were you, I would replace the valve selectively asap. My local cardiologist kept telling me I was exaggerating my symptoms, and that my valve was fine; and I almost dropped dead.

 

[Chuck C]

If I were you, I would replace the valve selectively asap. My local cardiologist kept telling me I was exaggerating my symptoms, and that my valve was fine; and I almost dropped dead.

I don't believe he described that he was having any symptoms, so not sure why he should replace his valve asap.

 

[gpr100rs]

Greetings,

It was 14 years ago today that I had my once-repaired aortic valve replaced with a C/E bovine valve at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It was not the smoothest road to recovery (collapsed lung, blood transfusion) but the staff there was great. And the last echo earlier this year showed that "the valve sounds fine."

Truth is, in all this time I've had more trouble with my rhythm than with the valve itself. I've had to deal with skipped heart beats and several prescription adjustments to regulate it, but it's something I just have to learn to live with (PVCs suck, in case you're wondering where I come down on that topic).

I know because it's a tissue that the valve will lose its utility sooner or later, but it made it to 14, which is a nice run. Next echo is in January, so we'll see how she checks in entering her 15th year.

Thank you for reading, and for the support you give me and others.

Johnny

I too have PVC's, very annoying. I don't have any symptoms, but when it happens, 4-6 x's/minute, feels like my heart wants to jump out of my chest. I'm 7 months post AVR and aorta graft. How is yours managed? Do you continue to have PVC's even with meds? I'm not taking anything. Interestingly, if I lay on my right side, I don't get any, so that's how I sleep. Also, seems to only happen when I'm at my resting heart rate, I don't seem to get any when I work out, play squash, etc. Have they discussed ablation with you? All the best.

 

[johnnycake23]

Thanks to all for the responses. This note was meant more for to address the age-old "how long will a tissue valve last?" discussion. This is just my entry into those annals. I'd be happy to address my PVCs (which I have in different forums) but not here, as this is more celebratory and informative on tissue valve longevity. When the time comes that there's a significant incident with my PVCs, I'll post in the general forum discussion.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond and for the good wishes. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Johnny

 

[johnnycake23]

Rooting for your valve to go 20!

From your mouth...

 

[Lynn]

Congrats! It’s so inspIring to hear stories like yours. Cheers

 

[coffeelover]

Happy Valversary!!

 

[AZATADINE]

That's great. I got a bovine tissue valve myself 6 weeks ago (Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease 23mm) so it's great to see the longevity of modern tissue valves can exceed 15 years.