Which Valve To Choose???

[fencemeister]

I Am New To This Today And Am Having Surg. 9/6/ For An Aortic Valve. Don't Even Know The Brand And Have Called Doc's Office To Find Out.

Have Found On The Web The On-x And The Ats Medical Pivot Valve And Am Interested In His Comments When I Hear From Him.

Anyone Out There Have Any Stories Or Preferances??

Need Some Fast Answers.......

Thanx,

Mike

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear about your valve, but welcome to the VR Coomunity. Glad you found us. There's lots of opinions and insights on valve choice here, that's for sure.

I had a repair, so don't have a personal story to share, but I am sure others will be along shortly. In the interim, may I suggest I good place to start is exploring the "Valve Choice" forum starting with the "sticky" posts at the top.

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

There's many threads in this forum discussion the various choices. Good luck.

 

[Cooker]

Welcome. Many of us went with what the doctors/surgeon suggested (me) Many did tons of research and made their own choice. Good luck and I am sure all will go well.

 

[Karlynn]

The On-X is the new kid on the block that is showing a lot of promise. The gold standard is the St. Jude. It appears you are looking at mechanicals or are you considering all types?

 

[Bina]

Hey Mike, welcome to the zoo.
I had done some research, but ultimately went with what my surgeon and I were comfortable with.
This forum has tons of info to absorb, good luck.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Mike..Welcome to our forum....if you could post a little more info?Like..age, why are you having surgery so soon, ect..Helps us better to give you our thoughts. Did you just find out..that you needed surgery, how, ect...We want to be here for you..you have a week. try to read as much on our threads..Valves, Pre/post surgery, ect..Phylis will be along to put you on our surgery calendar..to give you support before/after surgery.........We are here for you..Bonnie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

MY First Choice for a pending MVR is On-X because it claims (with supporting data) to have the Lowest Propensity for Clot Formation or damage to Blood Cells of all the Mechanical Valves on the market.

Contact Catheran Burnett at [email protected] or 888-339-8000 ext 265. She can send you an Extensive Information Package with comparison data for the major valves and lots of backup information on the On-X valve.

Catheran can give you the names of surgeons who use the On-X valve or send a company representative to meet your surgeon, show him the valves and background data, and even have a representative available during surgery to answer questions or assist with sizing instruments (which are different from other companies). Several of our members were First Time On-X Valve Recipients and some of their surgeons have become On-X proponents.

Browse through the Valve Selection Forum for considerable discussion of all types of valves, mechanical and tissue.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[briansmom]

I specifically asked my son's surgeon about the On-X. He had only done a few before my son, but agreed to use it. I think that he uses it a lot now.
Please rest assured that whatever valve you choose will work well. Keep us posted. Best wishes for an easy surgery and recovery.

 

[greg]

Mike,
At age 53 I had my aortic changed out with a St Judes regent. It works fine and should for longer than I last...That said, if I was looking at it again (or a mitral vlv), I'd look into an On-X. I'd at least confer with a surgeon I had confidence in.
What ever the choice, you will be happy with it and be back to the Forum to chat.

 

[Phyllis]

Mike, you've already gotten lots of good advice and links here. I put you on the calendar for the 9th. Welcome and please feel free to ask away as you explore all threads in the forum.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello Mike. Welcome. Glad you are here. We can do much to relieve any stress or concern, help you ask great questions and guide you through recovery.

At age 52, last year, I had a bovine tissue valve implanted to replace a very stenotic (diseased) bicuspid aortic valve. While I am on the younger side to receive a tissue valve (hopefully going to last 15-20 years before needing another replacement -- mechanical valves, like the On-X, generally last a lifetime. Mechanicals (st. Jude's, etc. require anticoagulants -- popping a pill every day, the On-X possibly just taking an aspirin each day), it was what I first felt compelled to go with...mostly a gut instinct.

While choice is a very personal decision (tissue vs. mechanical or brand vs. brand) it is sometimes the case that the surgeon will cut you open, have a look, and decide there is a different valve that will fit better. If you trust your surgeon and he understands your personality and your lifestyle then it should be very appropriate to go with the valve he has the most experience with and the valve which best suits your anatomy.

To garner more responses to new questions in your short time pre-surgery, please be sure to start a new thread with each new type of question (ie, if you have questions about the actual surgery, or recovery, etc....best to start a new thread so more people will see it)

Breathe! You're in good hands here!

Marguerite

 

[fencemeister]

Thanx For The Input Eveyone!

Thanx For The Input Eveyone!

Just Got A Call From My Surgeon's Office And He Said He Would Be Glad To Use The On-x.

This Is The One I Have Chosen Thru Research On My Own. I Like The Features And How They Are In Testing For Relaxed Meds After The Fact.
It Will Be His First On-x But He Is A Young Guy About 11 Years Into This And I Believe He Will Do An Excellant Job.

On-x Is Having A Rep Stand In With Him. They Say There Is A Stitch Or Two That They Do Different. I Would Think A Good Surgeon Can Follow A Simple Stitch Instruction......i Hope!

Mike

 

[CathyK.]

Mike I also want to welcome you! I am 44yrs old and had my OHS this past Feb. and got a bovine aortic valve. It was my personal choice. I see you have made your choice, that is probably the most difficult decision you will have to make. Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[andrewg]

I just had an ON-X aortic valve installed this past June 21 to replace my bicuspid valve, and am taking part in the FDA study. I just found out this past Monday that I'm in the Plavix and aspirin group, and made the switch from coumiden to Plavix the next day.

I found out I had a bicuspid in 2004, and am presently 60 years old.

So far everything is going great. I was able to return to work in mid-August.

 

[Susan BAV]

I just had an ON-X aortic valve installed this past June 21 to replace my bicuspid valve, and am taking part in the FDA study. I just found out this past Monday that I'm in the Plavix and aspirin group, and made the switch from coumiden to Plavix the next day.

I found out I had a bicuspid in 2004, and am presently 60 years old.

So far everything is going great. I was able to return to work in mid-August.

Welcome to the site Andrew; glad you found it! You may be the first On-X member here in the Plavix group. Maybe our moderator/administrator, Ross, will move your post to a new location because this may warrant a new thread. Please post again. Take care .