I had an AVR with a bovine valve at age 25 (will be 29 next month). My cardio recommended a mechanical valve and thought I wouldn't get more than 10 years out of a tissue valve. My surgeon said that he had a son my age and he would recommend a bovine valve for his own son. He also thought that I would get 20-25 years out of a tissue valve with modern anti-calicification treatments. I had done a fair amount of internet research at the time and was skeptical of some of the things my surgeon was saying but at the same time I had concerns about coumadin given that I like to ski and surf among other things. In the ended I decided a tissue would be best for me.
