Trivia: Who Is The World’s Longest Living Heart Valve Recipient?
It is perhaps one of the most common and appropriate questions I receive from patients and their caregivers. That question is, “What is my life expectancy after heart valve surgery?”
As we all know, every patient case is unique. But, the research suggests that life expectancy after heart valve surgery continues to improve thanks to incredible advancements in medical technology and surgical know-how. Here is some data about life expectancy after heart valve surgery by age.
Life Expectancy After Heart Valve Surgery
(St. Jude Medical)
To this point, I was just reading a very interesting story in the Sentinel-Tribune about Bobby Baker.
In case you didn’t know, Bobby Baker just received a Guinness Book World Record for being the longest, living survivor of heart valve replacement surgery.
Bobby Baker sits with his dog and shows off four valves
installed in his heart from past surgeries.
Here are the highlights from Bobby Baker’s amazing story:
- After two bouts with rheumatic fever, Baker had his first aortic valve replacement surgery in 1960. At the time, Baker was just 11 years old.
- His surgeon, Dr. Earle B. Kay, hand-stitched the mechanical heart valve used on Baker. The valve was half-moon in style. When the heart pumped blood toward it, the pressure folded the leaflets apart.
- Baker had two more aortic valve replacement surgeries in 1964 (ball-and-cage valve) and 1982 (Bjork-Shiley valve).
- In 2004, Bobby Baker had his mitral valve replaced with a CarboMedics bi-leaflet mitral valve.
“Talking about it brings all the memories back,” Baker said as tears moistened his eyes while recalling the outpouring of concern people had for him over the years. “It’s hard.”
Ball And Cage Valve
According to the 60-year old Baker from Wayne, Ohio, he is now creating buzz to develop a documentary about heart valve surgery to celebrate the 50 years since American heart doctors pioneered heart valve replacement surgery.
“There’s still a lot that needs to be done for heart valve research,” states Baker.
Keep on tickin’ Bobby!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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November 11th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I am 59 years old and Dr Earl B. Kay performed open heart surgery on me on June 21, 1972. Dr Kay sewed in a Kay Suzuki discoid #2 valve which was replaced on June 19, 2009 at Hopkins Hospital by Dr. Duke Cameron. It was still working after nearly 38 years. I had it replaced because I developed an aneurysm at my aortic root. I don’t know if that is a record, but that is my story.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I have enjoyed reading your information on this website. I was born with a mitral valve defect in December of 1969. I have had my mitral valve replaced twice. I also have several other heart diseases that have occured over the years. I now have a pacemaker/defibrillator implant. I was just curious as to the longest a mitral valve has worked in someone. I have had my St. Judes Mechanical Valve for 25 years and 5 months. I am only 39 years old. I wish to someday write a book about my experience, any advise… I will try and get a copy of your book to read, I know it will be an experience for me and helpful as well. God Bless and take care. I hope to hear from you soon. Have a blessed Day.
Cynthia Lynn Brooks
November 18th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Adam,
I enjoyed reading about Bobby Baker and his multiple valve surgeries. I am very happy he is doing well, as I am about to have my 4th aortic valve replacement within the next six months.
Your website gives all of us a more positive outlook on life after valve replacement through the education and understanding you provide.
Thanks for being there for us.