Valve Decision???????????

[jeferi]

I had my pre-surgery exam today, I'm still in limbo about whether to go with mech. valves or tissue. My surgeon says he uses the "Mosiac" tissue valve which seems to last longer. I thought about going with that especially if my mitral valve were repairable by chance. I like my surgeon feel pretty comfortable with him, at least he seems to have a good sense of humor. He said one patient changed his valve selection on the gurney outside of the OR. So I don't feel so indecisive. If My MV could be repaired then I would only need single valve surgery the 2nd time, I don't think I would want to have double valve surgery twice. I'll figure it out soon.

Jeff

 

[Ross]

Flip a coin? Spin a bottle?

Whatever decision you make, you'll do well. Try not to stress over it. The main thing is to get fixed.

 

[Barbara]

Hi Jeff -
I'm in the same boat - I decided on the tissue b/c of lifestyle and the way I am - I will be way too conscious of worrying about not taking the pill etc. - plus I am 65 shortly after the surgery - so it 's supposd to last longer - also the surgeon said I shouldn't ski -and that's a big part of my New England winter -- I know the card said it would be ok - but here again I would not be able to enjoy it - just the mental part - but then I think about the redo - and I re-think - it's a big decision -
On the other hand, I just heard of an 84 year old who did just fine
but you are one of my date mates - Tuesday is our big day - and I am getting nervous - how are you doing?
Pretty soon we will put the surgery behind us - want to have a race to recovery? -
Take care I will be thinking of you and Wade -
Barbara

 

[jeferi]

Flip a coin....

Flip a coin....

Yes, Ross on the way home from the pre-surgery app. I thought maybe I should just flip a coin.
Barbara good luck on Tuesday that will be our big day, I'm feel good about the surgeon I have. He spends lots of time answering all my questions in full detail and is not in a big hurry to dash off which it seems like with most other DR.s , seemed he would have stayed all day if I kept asking questions and didn't say myself "well thats all I can think of at the moment".

Jeff

 

[srwieland]

A surgeon who patiently answers all questions is a good and rare find. Mine did too. I would stay with him and not choose anything he's not comfortable with.

A good friend of mine is the retired 'dean' of heart surgeons here helped develop the Mosaic, but he also told me that the valve I got, the CryoValve SynerGraft, achieved better what the Mosaic was aimed for in the end. On the other hand, the CryoValve has had some controversy and I've had some problems with mine. These new valves hold great promise for the future, but don't have much track record yet. Although they will probably work fine, I would not go with one unless you're prepared for the possibility of a redo. I was, but not everyone is.

Read elsewhere someone having problems with a leaking mechanical valve.

Every case is different and most valves work well with no complications. But, sometimes there are.

You need to make a decision that you can live with. I prefer tissue valves and have chosen to risk the possibility of another surgery, but, for some, that possibility is worse than Coumadin and inferior hemodynamics, etc.

Good luck and Godspeed.

 

[Rich]

Hey Jeff and Barbara,
Best of luck on tuesday to both of you.
Like Ross said no matter which choice you make you will be fine.
Valve choice is a very personal thing usually based on your lifestyle.
I have had my mechanical valve for close to seven years and have not changed my lifestyle with one exception.
That is I don't drink alcohol these days because of the Coumadin.
But hey i havn't had a hangover in almost seven years

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Jeff and Barbara

Hi Jeff and Barbara

Whatever valve you choose will be a good one. You are having surgery on a lucky day My Birthday I never remember anything from the time I kissed my family goodbye..until I woke up 2 days later in a beautiful private room. NO pain. and asked for a cup of coffee. Got up after that and walked the halls.. Came home 6 days later. Pumpheaded..but happy. Had a great hubby to help..Still does after a year. I only had 3 days from the time they found my aneurysm until surgery. I take coumadin..Never had a problem. No bruising and I stay in range with my INR..no ever changing dosage. I take my coumadin after dinner..Just like I did when I was much younger and on birth control pills. Never wanted to forget that one. Blessed with a girl and a boy ..21 months apart. Remember..it takes a long time for the body to heal from open-heart surgery.. At my age, 63 Tuesday..would never want another one 10-15 years from now. I don't snow ski anymore but my age 10 year old grandson has a hard time keeping up with me. Told his Daddy last week, Granbonny can pitch me a ball.. better than you Will be thinking of you both Tuesday. Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Rich

Hi Rich

Been meaning to ask you about not drinking alcohol while on coumadin. Did it lower or raise your INR? Never have read one way or the other about alcohol while on coumadin.. Seems what I have read. It raises INR? Have to ask Al Bonnie

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Jeff & Barbara, like everyone else said there is no bad choice. Good luck on Tuesday. Our prayers are with you both.





Dave
_________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical Aortic valve with a graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies
Surgeon: Dr. Michael Stanton
Cardiologist: Dr. Gary Luckasen

 

[Rich]

Hi Bonny

Hi Bonny

I should say hi young lady !
Alcohol is a blood thinner in itself so I guess it would raise your INR.
I do sneak a beer here and there but only one and this only happens about three times a year.
I know a lot of people still drink and that's fine, I just figured it was one less thing to deal with when it comes to controlling my INR.
Funny thing is I used to be able to drink quite a bit but now one beer gets me high.
Oh well there are other ways to have some fun like picking on the blond I'm married to.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Rich-

In addition to the Coumadin situation, sometimes CHF can creep into a heart patient's list of complications, and that has the potential of causing a condition called Cardiac Cirrhosis, which is not the same as other cirrhosis, but scars the liver, nonetheless. And other meds that are needed as heart conditions progress, need the best liver condition possible.

It's a wise move to keep that organ in good shape.

You've done a good thing for yourself.

Many of the young folks here may not have additional heart conditions as they age. My perspective comes from being the wife of a very brave man who has walked this road for a long, long time, and I am looking at the chain of events from the opposite end of the pole.

 

[ccrawford]

Hey Jeff and Barbara

Hey Jeff and Barbara

Valve choice really not that big a deal to me. FYI, If you go mechanical, coumadin is not the monster some make it out to be. Your surgeon is probably the best source of discussion on this, and he can tell you why he prefers this or that. The important thing is that you'll start to get better-on Bonnie's birthday too. Bonnie, my information tells me that alcohol can cause INR to go either way. If you keep your consumption constant-i.e. the two drinks per day reccommended by most docs, then it should not be a problem. You guys have a good tuesday and we'll be rooting for you big time. Chris

 

[Rich]

Hi Nancy

Hi Nancy

I didn't know about some of the other possible conditions that could develop. Thanks for the info.
So far Coumadin has not been a problem.
The only downside is having other procedures and/or surgeries which I know you are only too familier with.
If that new drug ever becomes a proven alternative that would really solve a lot of problems. We will just have to wait and see.
In the meantime I don't think I would trade my St. Jude for anything else. Unlike a lot of stories I have read here mine is very,very quiet. I only hear it a little at night when things in the house are quiet and I'm trying to fall asleep.
Other than that it has given me a whole new life for the last seven years and no resrictions.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Just to add my 2 cents worth , I found that I liked my tissue valve and it lasted 11 years. Then I got mechanical and it was certainly an adjustment that I didn't have with the tissue. The ticking, the bruising , the bleeding (nose and female), are issues I still am coming to terms with. It gets easier of course, but with a tissue valve I was back to normal for 11 years. Now I feel that my 'normal' has changed forever. I was prepared to get a mechanical the first time and got the tissue. Maybe it would be better to get the mechanical and then you wouldn't know what you missed!
Gail

 

[jeferi]

Hi Gail

Hi Gail

Hi Gail,

Thanks for input, I live on the other side of the bay in a little town called "LaHonda" in the Santa Cruz Mts. You were about the same age as me when when you had your first surgery I was wondering when people say bruising, is that when just a minor bump leaves a bad bruise.

Jeff

 

[Granbonny]

Brusing

Brusing

Only speaking for myself..but have never had a bruise in 14 months..even with the bumping the knee on the car door, ect. bonnie

 

[Georgia]

NO BRUISES

NO BRUISES

Bonnie, you must not have a handy hubby who leaves the dishwasher open. It hurts; and I really had a whopper bruise; of course, it had to happen on a day when my inr was pretty high. Ditto for a bruise from bloodwork - drawn by a really inept phlebotomist.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Jeff,
I get pretty large bruises now with just a minor bump and huge bruises that last weeks if I really hit something hard. I also have a lump at that point that lasts weeks as well.
Maybe it's because I have low platelet levels and then add the blood thinner and Oh baby! what bruising I have!
I am amazed when I read that others on this site get no bruising!
How is that possible, when mine are so large and I always have many on my legs?
Anyway , good luck on your surgery.Where are you having it and who is the surgeon?
Gail