Tom's Guestbook

Tom McDonald  Herman,
Yes, glad to hear you're doing well in your recovery, continued success. Coming up on my 6 month valversary on December 5th and feeling great! Truly amazing!

Tom McDonald  G'day Kieran,
I had the ON-X aortic valve put in. I did some research on mechanical vs tissue and found both to be good options but, my cardio and surgeon didn't really talk alot about tissue to me, from the start it was mechanical because of my young age of 53. A tissue valve in my case would have possibly required multiple surgeries later in life, as tissue valves tend to wear out multiple surgeries I didn't want to go through if at all possible. I opted for one and done with the on-x valve. Turns out my BAV was severely calcified and very stenotic, it was just a matter of time before something bad would have happened. I was a lucky guy to get it done when I did according to my surgeon. The whole daily coumadin/warfarin
therapy is not that bad, just have to adapt to something new. You can still eat and drink the things you like but, in moderation. At some point I should be able to do my own inr blood test at home, so that little inconvenience of stopping at the coagulation clinic will go away also. All the best in your journey! Check out the two links:
https://www.heartvalvechoice.com/tissue-vs-mechanical-heart-valve/

https://www.cryolife.com/products/on-x-heart-valves/

Kieran Parsons  Thanks Tom. I don't want to need another surgery so I think I'll probably end up with a mechanical. I appreciate the info

Tom McDonald  Kieran,
I forgot to mention also, I have yet to be bothered by the ticking of the mechanical valve that some experience. I've actually tried to sit in a quiet room just so I might be able to hear it working but, really haven't been able to hear.

Tom McDonald  Kieran,
I forgot to mention also, I have yet to be bothered by the ticking of the mechanical valve that some experience. I've actually tried to sit in a quiet room just so I might be able to hear it working but, really haven't been able to hear.