Barry's Profile

I received St Jude Trifecta 21 bovine aortic valve replacement on March 16th of 2017. I have recently been told that I have to have valve replaced again. Originally, I understood that valve should last 10-15 years and mine is less than 7. I guess that is the shorter end of the expected range. I am not sure of best option at this point. I am 58 and otherwise healthy. I feel choices are TAVR and in 5-15 years probably have open heart surgery to have it replaced at an older age or have a mechanical valve replaced today. I feel the reason I didn't go with mechanical valve in 2017 was because of the ticking noise and the fact I would have to be on blood thinner or rest of life. I was concerned with long-term effects of thinners. The I have the same concerns with mechanical valve as I did before although I am told that the blood thinner have improved, and the effects have lessened. If i go with the TAVR then it is assumed I will have to have open heart surgery in the future to have it replaced at an older age. My cardiologist says no reason why I still will not be healthy? I guess no guarantee that mechanical cannot become defective and then would have to have 3rd open heart procedure.