Today's Patient Story:
Pig Heart Valve - How Long Do They Last?
As a follow-up to my post about pig valve transplants, I received a specific question, “Do you know exactly how long a pig valve might last in the human heart?”
It’s a good question for patients to consider as they determine which is the best valve type for them - biological (pig valve, cow valve) or mechanical.
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, “Pig heart valves do not last as long as mechanical valves and for that reason are not usually implanted in patients much younger than 60 years.”
Dr. Rosenfeld continues, “Although recent reports from The Cleveland Clinic (whose surgeons have a great deal of experience replacing heart valves) suggest that the newer biological valves often last 17 years or longer, they frequently must be replaced after 15 years. So, except in unusual circumstances, younger patients still are given a mechanical valve.”
I hope that helps explain more about how long pig heart valves last in the human heart.
Keep on tickin!
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March 25th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I really debated about whether I wanted to read the answer to the question of how long a pig valve lasts. I received mine Nov. 16th, 2 months shy of my 62nd birthday. I have always known if I was fortunate to enjoy the longevity that seems to be part of my family on both sides then the chances were very good I would need another replacement in the future. I am TRULY hoping for more than 15 years but know this valve may need to be replaced again someday. I read the answer so now I have to tame my worry wart streak and enjoy the good years instead of going on an “oh no” countdown.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Dear Cheryl B:
Our son recently had double valve replacement at age 37 (you can read about it in recent posts, John Turan). The very first time anyone talked to us about surgery regarding his bicuspid aortic valve, he was 17 and it was at the Mayo Clinic. They spoke about mechanical valves. It wasn’t necessary that the valve be replaced then, but I will never forget how our son wanted to know why they couldn’t do it “right now” so he could “get on” with his busy, sporty life. He was told that every year new advances are made in medicine, some that may already be in the process of testing, and how he had his young age as an advantage, since new valves may be developed as well as new ways of replacing them. No one mentioned the Ross Procedure he finally underwent at 37, and I am not sure if it had even been developed yet.
“That said”, (to quote Adam Pick), think about this every day: Regardless of your age, some new procedure or valve may be developed or improved by the time you need a new valve again, if you should even need it, and then go on and enjoy the rest of your day!
Blessings, Mercy, mother of John.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
i am 23 years old. i was born with Pulmonary artresita with an intact vacular septem. I had many surgeries but when i was 18 they implanted a “pig valve” where my pulmanary valve was. I am 23 and everything is fine. except i have put on some weight since my surgery.
sarah
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I had a pig valve put in to replace my aortic valve in 1990
it is now way past its used by date but I have been told by the doctors I am in an unfortunate situation seeing I am in the public system no private health insurance this valve has been leaking for around 12 years
does anyone know how to fix our public health system?
I have been sent to have it replaced twice now but as soon as the private health question arises I am given a short shiftand sent home(I am 76 am I to old to save )lol
May 19th, 2009 at 2:35 am
yes, i came across this while searching for anwsers concerning my own health, primarily my aortic pig valve. and to say the least i was shocked to read that a pig valve was rarely used on people under the age of 60. i had just turned 28 when i was informed that the medication was no longer working for my bi-cuspid aortic valve and was told that at my age, the pig valve was the best option for me BECAUSE of my age and the fact that i would still be young enough for the pig valve to be replaced by a mechanical valve. but they also told me that after the surgery i would be healthier then ever before. since then i have had endocarditious twice, a partial pericardectomy and 2 strokes. no to mention the fact that the big perc of the pig valve was no coumidin, and guess what, ill be on coumidin for the rest of my life. plus at some point in time after the valve replacement i developed HIT(heprin induced thrombosis) which means that when given heprin or any heprin agent, i develop blood clots instead of it thinning my blood out. all of this and i am only 33 now! any info that anyone can help me with would be greatly appreciated. my email is c_capien@yahoo.com my best wishes go out to you and to anyone else who has either went thru/is going thru or loves someone who is.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I am 45 years old and have a 28 year pig valve in my tricuspid valve. I was 17 when this valve was placed and was told it would last hopefully 5 years. Since then I have married, had a child, watched him graduate from college and get married. We have a new grandson. I am active in hiking, weight lifiting, biking, kayaking, swimming and scuba diving. All of this would not have been possible without the pig valve and not having to take blood thinners..
I am an anomily of sorts being that I have a tricuspid valve which was replaced due to endocartitis from another surgery. I do not have heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues or any other complications which normally contribute to heart valve replacement. Simply an infection from central line.
I am just this summer experiencing a decline in the valve, I noticed a slow onset of excercise induced fatigue. All my test results came back perfectly healthy. I just had an echo-stress test which shows increased pressure under stress due to some “hardening” of the valve. The flaps are getting stiffer due to age. I have scheduled a replacement, another pig valve, for this fall since I do not want to wait until it effects my overall quality of life.
With each passing year, I have wondered how long it would last. I finally had settled on, let’s try to make it 30 years. I could if I wanted to slow down, but why would I want to do that! I hope to have the next one 30 years or more.
Each year has been a blessing, and each coming year brings hope of newer procedures and longer placement times.
God bless everyone and keep thinking positive.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Lee,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your pig valve story with us.
I’m glad to hear you are such an anomaly!!!
Incredible that your pig valve has lasted almost 30 years.
Please keep us updated on your upcoming heart valve replacement.
Keep on tickin’ and oinkin’!
Adam
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I was born in 1965 and have tetrology of fallot. I was among the first to receive Dr. Blalock’s shunts. And I was 14 years old in 1977 when I had a pig valve replacement of my pulmonary valve. I am a lucky person. I have had this valve for 32 years. I recently named the pig who was the donor of this life-giving gift Lazarus. My wonderful doctor tells me that the valve is aging, narrowing, etc. And that he rates the valve as 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 toward surgical replacement. I will likely need a replacement surgery in the next several to 15 years, he says. I hope not, as I am very partial to Lazarus. I am grateful for his or her gift to me.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Lee… how did your surgery go?? i am also a tricuspid replacement person… i was 34 when i had mine…have epstein anomaly that they didnt find until then… they did an ASD repair when i was 14 in ‘83 but they didnt know what epstein was at that time… so far so good… but am also hoping that mine will last as long as yours!!!
… i am 41 so i have a ways to go..