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In fact, the durability of a mechanical mitral valve is one of the biggest advantages of selecting a mechanical valve versus a pig valve (porcine valve)<\/a>, cow valve (bovine valve)<\/a> or human valve (donor) for heart valve replacement surgery. To learn more about mechanical valves, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The trade-off for the long-lasting life of the mechanical mitral valve, however, is the ongoing use of Coumadin (blood thinners)<\/a> and the potential sound of a mechanical valve.<\/p>\n That said, a mechanical mitral valve can is reported to last between 20 to 25 years. Some suggest that the life of a mechanical mitral valve may even be longer.<\/p>\n You have to remember two things. First, heart valve replacement surgery is a relatively new medical procedure. It\u2019s only been within the past 30 to 40 years that heart surgery has become a standardized medical procedure.<\/p>\n Second, you need to remember that mechanical mitral valves are made of very durable materials including titanium. Thus, there is some uncertainty as to how long the mechanical mitral valves may last in the human body. It may very well be longer than the 20 to 25 years referenced above.<\/p>\n To help you learn a lot more about mechanical heart valve replacement, here is an educational video that I filmed with\u00a0Dr. Aqeel Sandhu<\/a>, the Surgical Director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at\u00a0Northwestern Medicine<\/a>, Northwest Region.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n