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Pig Valve Replacement Longevity: How Long Do They Last?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Isadore Rosenfeld, MD
Page Last Updated: June 6, 2025

As a follow-up to my post about pig valve replacements, 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.

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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."

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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