what to do (St.Jude vs. On-x)

[Sharlea]

Hi, Did anyone out there go with a prosthetic valve? My Mitral Valve repair is set-up for Oct. 20th in Houston, Tx. I have very positive feedback from surgeon and Cardiologist that my valve can be repaired, but I know that I will have to decide before surgery what kind of valve I want if the repair can't be done. I like the idea of not having to take coumadin for the reat of my life. But, I understand that the brovine valve might not last the rest of my life. I am 56 y/o and plan on being here a long, long time!

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, Did anyone out there go with a prosthetic valve? My Mitral Valve repair is set-up for Oct. 20th in Houston, Tx. I have very positive feedback from surgeon and Cardiologist that my valve can be repaired, but I know that I will have to decide before surgery what kind of valve I want if the repair can't be done. I like the idea of not having to take coumadin for the reat of my life. But, I understand that the brovine valve might not last the rest of my life. I am 56 y/o and plan on being here a long, long time!

A prosethetic valve can either be mechanical or tissue, You might be thinking of bioprosthetic which is some kind of tissue valve, pig, bovine ect. There are quite a few discusions on the different valves, both mech and tissue as well as certain valves in each category, like st jude or ON-X for mechanical or the different tissue valves in both this forum (valve selection ) and the Bicuspid Aortic Valves And Connective Tissue Disorders forum. Did your surgeon suggest a certain valve as your Plan B?

 

[Sharlea]

Lyn, Not yet, I won't see him again till the day before surgery. I have my list of questions for him though! He has been doing this surgery for 30 plus years. So, I trust his recommendations.

 

[Andrew01]

At this point in time, you'd still have to take Coumadin with the On-X. Last I heard, they aren't accepting anymore trial patients for the Plavix/Aspirin program, but if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

Per an email inquiry last week to a clinical research coordinator at Emory University, “The study is still enrolling in the low risk Plavix and control groups. If you qualify for the group at randomization, then it is a 50/50 chance [of being assigned to the Plavix group].”

They also said that in order to be considered for the trial, an On-X valve would have to be implanted at one of the study sites. This is unfortunate for me since the hospital that I would prefer because of its quality and location is not in the study. I am now trying to decide if the opportunity to be enrolled in the study is worth the additional effort and inconvenience of having the operation at a hospital in another state that is in the study.

 

[Ross]

Per an email inquiry last week to a clinical research coordinator at Emory University, “The study is still enrolling in the low risk Plavix and control groups. If you qualify for the group at randomization, then it is a 50/50 chance [of being assigned to the Plavix group].”

They also said that in order to be considered for the trial, an On-X valve would have to be implanted at one of the study sites. This is unfortunate for me since the hospital that I would prefer because of its quality and location is not in the study. I am now trying to decide if the opportunity to be enrolled in the study is worth the additional effort and inconvenience of having the operation at a hospital in another state that is in the study.

Thank you for the confirmation.

 

[dl_mooney]

I have a OnX Valve (Mitral Valve).The Surgeon wanted a INR level of 2-3,I take Coumadin 3 Mgs on Monday & Friday & 4 Mgs all the other days. Also a Baby Aspirin daily.

 

[EVELYN]

It's your body and you can have any valve implanted that you choose. However, I do believe that if you really like your surgeon and he's more comfortable with the St. Jude's then you have to take that into consideration. If you really want the OnX, then go with someone who is comfortable with implanting that.

Evelyn

 

[bunker395]

I had AVR surgery in Dec. o8 and after weeks of study both on this site and others I wanted the On-X valve I am 56 and wanted to avoid surgery again if possible. I decided that if I needed Anti-Coagulation it was something I was repaired to do but was hopeful the On-X study would allow more freedom from Anti-Coagulation down the road. My surgeon had not used the On-X valve but was open to doing so. He was very honest as to his reason he used St Jude valves, the Hospital chain he was with had a contract with St Jude to use there products which was to help hold down prices. Like dtread I was the first On-X recipient in Utah. The sales staff at On-X came out and gave my surgeon every thing he needed to feel comfortable with the valve. I think he would use them more under different circumstances. I know this is a big decision but remember you are the only one who will live with this decision do what you feel is right for you.