Cheryl's Posts

Hi Cheryl, best wishes on your decision! I hope you find the valve that is right for you! I had minimally invasive AVR on 12/1 with a stented bovine tissue valve. I take 81 mg of baby aspirin each day. I was offered the Ross procedure, but since I am 40 was told it would likely only last about 20 years before I would need resurgery. My mitral valve was fine and I didn't want to risk undergoing two valve replacements when I only needed one. My surgeon did do something interesting. He inserted a tissue valve that was on the larger end of my window with plans to insert another tissue valve through transcatheter replacement when I need my next resurgery. So, I can theoretically have two valve replacements with only one open heart surgery, which will buy me 20-30 years if all goes as planned. Everyone is different. There are a lot of great people on here with mechanical and tissue valves who can help you weigh out pros and cons. Hope you can find someone who had the Ross procedure to give you good feedback on it!

Cheryl- this is a choice only you can make for you. Once you do your research, it will eventually become clear which type you can see for you. I had a Mitral valve replacement over a year ago at the age of 57. Both my surgeon and cardiologist thought the mechanical would be a good choice for me, due to my age and they knew I would be complaint with the Coumadin/warfarin dosing and diet. My PCP told me after the fact that a tissue would be the way he personally would go for if it were him. He and I are about the same age. So, opinions are just that. Opinions. I tossed it around for a long while, with my husband and those who knew me but ultimately it was my decision should I need one. For me, I was most comfortable with going tissue, for a couple of reasons-- although I could manage the warfarin, I felt I was a bit young to commit to blood thinners for the rest of my life; and as someone who has always battled insomnia, the thought of the mechanical clicking for the rest of my life, I wondered if I would have even more trouble sleeping, (although most say it is a reassuring sound that you get used to); I also know the advances in medicine are rapid, and perhaps if and when Flossie (my dr chose bovine for my tissue valve) needs work done or to be replaced, who knows how easy it will be in 15-30 years from now- yes, I am planning on her being one that last record lengths of time. ....it is a personal decision, my reasons won't ring true for you or others but once I decided, it felt right for me for the weeks leading up to the procedure, and is still the right one for me. Take your time, research, and ask those professionals and loved ones around you, but know whatever you decide is right for you. Take good care and know everything will be good and you will do SO well!!

Thank you Laura, Jim and Nancy for all of the great information on your experience with the tissue valve. I have had a lot of the same thoughts that you voiced above especially with the TAVR in the future. I have about another week or two to decide and then I need to let me Dr. know what I have chosen. I am still hoping for a couple of Ross Procedure perspectives as well so I will have those to compare with the research I am doing. Thanks again for the information.