Comments on: Nancy Considers Risks Of Coumadin Therapy

By: Jane Faulk

Jane Faulk — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 05:27:20 +0000

I had open heart in 1986..St. Jude mechanical valve. I am having it replaced Feb. 8 at Duke and also an aortic aneurysm repaired. I have been on coumadin for 25 years and have to have at least two or three protimes a month. My INR has never been regulated and also been on Lovenox injections several times. Also certain meds have caused bleeding issues. I am thinking about having a tissue valve just to be off the coumadin…but so many issues to decide. I was 37 when I had the first surgery so now I am 62. I know there is a strong possibility of having another surgery if I choose the tissue. I need to make a decision and be comfortable with it. I do know about living with coumadin and really it controls my life. I take 10 mgs daily and that is a high dosage. This is the hardest decision I have had to make.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:03:48 +0000

70 years old-mechanical aortic valve and des aortic any replaced 4/28/10(70th birthday)-take warfin-ck monthly-golf 5 days wk-walk 18 holes on hilly course-winter months split fire wood and carry in coal plus other chores-have no new problems-clicking a distraction mainly at night-monthly blood ck not problem-eating much same a before surgery and warfin level steady-hope info helps

By: James Kauffman

James Kauffman — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:12:47 +0000

So, what valve did Nancy select? I am in the same situation.

By: jim

jim — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:06:38 +0000

i will probably go with the tissue valve which will be in 2 days, wonder in 15 years will the system be overloaded to allow a second operation? but we are not promised tomorrow

By: Michele Kelly

Michele Kelly — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:39:22 +0000

Hi Nancy,

I am 42 years old and I am four weeks post op having aortic valve replacement. I wanted a mechanical valve because i did not want to be operated on again. I knew I would be on coumadin for the rest of my life which would not be easy either. It was a hard decision. The surgeon told me before surgery my outflow track may be too small for the mechanical valve and may have to put in the tissue valve. I now have a tissue valve and am very happy. I do not have to be on coumadin!! The surgeon told me after surgery that by the time i need another valve they will able to go thru the groin and they won’t have to crack my chest open again. They are testing these types of things every day. I am confident that in 15-25 years the medical field is going to have a better way of replacing my valve. Good luck, Michele

By: Maureen Sadang

Maureen Sadang — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:14:12 +0000

Hi Nancy. this is not an easy decision. I am 5 weeks post op having an aortic valve replacement.. I went through the same questions as you, but I am older – 64. I really don’t want to do this surgery again and chose the mechanical valve. The tissue valves will deteriorate in the future – sort of a gradual decline according to what I read. For me, the decision to do coumadin was not easy. If I declined the mechanical valve only because of the coumadin and then for some unforeseen reason wound up taking it anyway, I felt I would be in a double bind! So, I went with the mechanical valve and am on warfarin. it will take while to get the levels evened out, but now am blood testing every 2 weeks instead of weekly. Hopefully that will work out to be monthy in the future. If I was your age, I would probably go with the tissue valve! If you have 10 good years until you need another surgery, who knows what new valves, procedures will be available. Good luck with your decision, Maureen of Maui

By: nerie

nerie — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:32:39 +0000

I had undergone aortic valve replacement at the age of 24. I’m on coumadin and still will take for so many years.

By: Maureen Sadang

Maureen Sadang — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:58:16 +0000

this was really helpful. thanks so much, Adam, for sharing and helping sort out the info. I will view the video too. thanks – I took care of some needed dental work so am looking at the surgery in mid July. thanks, Maureen

By: Adam Pick

Adam Pick — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:55:29 +0000

To Everybody,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts about Coumadin. I have received a number of “Thank You’s” about this post and your comments from patients and caregivers.

Again, many thanks…

Keep on tickin!

Adam

P.S. To Sean, I just posted a separate blog about the Coumadin Video you referenced. Great information! Thanks!

By: Sean Ripperton

Sean Ripperton — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:21:13 +0000

There is a great video (one hour, in 4 parts) from the University of Virginia on managing anticoagulation therapy. The URL is http://discoveryhealthcme.discovery.com/anticoagulation/anticoagulation.html. Then click on “View the PRogram Online”. It’s aimed at medical professionals, but it’s pretty easy for the informed patient to follow. It’s very helpful both for someone planning to go on anticoagulants and for someone trying to decide between mechanical vs biological valves, since it identifies the best way to manage anticoagulation therapy. For some, it will help dispell the myths and make you more comfortable with the drug (and thus with a mechanical valve). For others, it may help you feel more comfortable with your decision to get a biological valve in order to avoid the drug. Regardless of your choice, this video is very educational, and thus very helpful in making the decision on valve type. (My surgery is scheduled for Aug. 6, at Duke University, by Dr. D. Glower. I’m 59, and leaning toward a biological valve with a re-do in my mid-70s and then a mechanical when I’m in my 90s. Target expiration date = 2052, at age 103, while watching the total eclipse of the sun in Georgia in March! I joke, sort of, but that really is my plan! So I’m thinking that 44 years of coumadin is a bit too much. I could be wrong, and I haven’t made a final decision, but I’m happy with my choice so far, if not with my condition, which is aortic insufficiency and aortic root dilation.)