Trending toward tissue?

joy · Apr 13, 2009

I am 31 years old and had my MV replaced with this kind of valve and totally regret it. Why? Because even though I was told that I would not have to take coumadin with a Bovine mitral valve, I have been taking coumadin for the last 6 years. I have had my valve for 8 years and my cardiologist said I am now looking at having both my mitral and my aortic replaced within the next 3 years. Just thought I would give you my thoughts...I am going mechanical next time.

pamela · Apr 13, 2009

You don't explain why you need ACT, Joy. I'm sorry all of your hopes about not needing to take the meds fell down. Rheumatic heart disease can effect so much more than one valve and takes a terrible toll on the patient. I hope that your future valve replacements will bring you a normal quality of life and better health.

Take Heart, sometimes our medical conditions outpace our doctors' knowledge and we as a patient need different treatments too soon.
Pamela.

tantenay · Apr 14, 2009

Choice of valve

Choice of valve

I'm a little late to this thread, but haven't been here in a while. Just wanted to chime in that I received my Carp-Ed Bovine valve (aortic) in 2000. I'm 9 years out from surgery and just hand annual check up w/cardio, she tells me it looks great. So that was good news. I'm hopeful I'll get at least 9 more years out of it!!!! I was 49 in 2000, and considered"young" by many, but the surgeon really didn't give me a hard time about the tissue choice.

Like so many others, I weighed all the pros and cons. I knew I didn't want to deal with the INR issues, but most of all I believe that mechanical valves produce more strokes - maybe I'm wrong, but since my mom had a stroke at 53, that was a real issue for me. Also, I know that the mechanical qlicking would drive me nuts!

I don't think there is a right or wrong choice, just what feels right for the individual. Cheers!

Blanche · Apr 16, 2009

Mark

Mark

Are you just bored and looking around here for a place to play devil's advocate? I just don't get the vitriolic nature of this and other posts that you have made. What good purpose does this serve? In other words, I don't understand. What is your message???

Blanche

Nancy · Apr 16, 2009

For everyone who thinks this debate is new-- Please take a look at this very LONG thread from many years ago. Some of it is still relevant. Exhaustive research was done by Peter Easton who was a member at that time. You may find it an interesting read.

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304&highlight=making+choice

Blanche · Apr 18, 2009

I only hope and pray

I only hope and pray

that the new people who come here bypass posts that talk about skipping prothrombin testing for three years. This is counter to recognized medical advice and requirements.

I hope that everyone respects sound medical recommendations for testing protime on a regular and frequent schedule to be determined by a doctor.

For those people who might consider forgoing testing beyond the recommendations, please talk to me and/or to Al. Our friends here know that Al tested monthly without fail. They also know about the strokes he suffered because his INR was way too low.

The only way to determine a valid INR is prothrombin testing. You can't feel it, you can't sense it, smell it, or taste it. There are those who will say that they can tell when their INR is too high because they will bleed somewhere. Not always true!!!!Al had an INR of 9.5+ not too long ago and there was no bleeding at all.... Just another day in Paradise.

Finally, if you have concerns about anticoagulation, ask questions here. There are tons of folks here who have valid and reliable information here.

Blanche