Bob's Profile

I had Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis (SBE) twice in 1968. I required aortic valve replacement 6 years later (1974) when I was 36 years old. They used a Broyk Shiley Valve. It was one of the first batch that they made. The welds on the valve were hand welded. I asked my Surgeon, Dr. John Kirkland (now deceased) how long the valve would last, and he laughed and said "It should last at least 50 years". I have had very few Problems with the valve, although I have taken blood thinner ever since I've had the valve.