chris Madden - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

225 days ago

Hi all! I'm new here. My name is Chris. 52 year old Male. I just recently found out that my bicuspid aortic valve needs replaced this year and would love to ...Read more

Hi all! I'm new here. My name is Chris. 52 year old Male. I just recently found out that my bicuspid aortic valve needs replaced this year and would love to hear what type valve (mechanical or biological)other people have chosen with their replacements or what your opinion is on the matter.

My initial choice is a biological valve, I have even read that there is also an epic valve with can be replaced down the road with a "valve in valve" procedure that would not require open heart surgery. I really do not want to go on blood thinners that require constant blood testing and medication adjustments for the rest of my life that is needed with a mechanical valve. I hope that by the time my valve needs replaced when I am in my 60's that there could be a new option that may not require open heart surgery.

What I am hearing is that the Mechanical Valve is the recommended valve for someone in their early 50s.

I would love to hear what you think on this matter.

Thanks

Pamela Gregory Hi Chris, This is the million dollar question! I think most of us have struggled with this decision t ... Read more

Pamela Gregory Hi Chris, This is the million dollar question! I think most of us have struggled with this decision the most because there is no perfect solution. It is a very personal choice. I had AVR last October 17th at 55 years old. I chose a biological valve for the same reasons you listed. There is a good video of my surgeon, Dr. Roselli, on this website where he and a patient (who was a college friend) talk about this exact topic.

Rose Madura Welcome Chris. Six years ago, I had a biological valve at age 59. And will have a TaVR in the future ... Read more

Rose Madura Welcome Chris. Six years ago, I had a biological valve at age 59. And will have a TaVR in the future if necessary. I was on the fence for quite a while and almost landed in the Onyx mechanical valve which apparently needs less blood thinner but still needed it. I'm kind of a clutz so I worried about that part of the equation. Also, the biological valves last much longer these days, I was told up to 20 years. It is difficult and it is personal and everyone is different. But I always tell people to do research, talk to your cardiologist and surgeon and then make an informed decision. Then, don't second guess yourself. Go with it and don't look back. Also, keep in mind how everything keeps improving. Just something to think about. Godspeed. And keep us updated!

Jeff Williams Hello Chris. I get the aversion to blood thinners, but a once a month or once every month trip to the ... Read more

Jeff Williams Hello Chris. I get the aversion to blood thinners, but a once a month or once every month trip to the clinic for a finger prick isn't that bad. If you go the mechanical route, just talk to your nurse about your diet and let them adjust the dosage to that.

The right valve for you is what you, your family, and you doctor feel is best. Lots of great insight on this site so do your research.

Andrew Dial Chris.. have u heard of the Ross procedure? Many of us on here have had it done, including myself! Lm ... Read more

Andrew Dial Chris.. have u heard of the Ross procedure? Many of us on here have had it done, including myself! Lmk if you have any questions

STEPHEN MORRIS It certainly is a personal choice. My initial surgeon (I am in Canada, so different situation), told ... Read more

STEPHEN MORRIS It certainly is a personal choice. My initial surgeon (I am in Canada, so different situation), told me at my age and condition, he recommends a mechanical valve. But he was still giving me a choice. Then a new surgeon was assigned, as my case was more complicated, and he tells me he only does bio valves.i asked about what the previous surgeon said about my age and condition and mechanical valve. The new surgeon then tells me that is the only valve that surgeon can put in. I was happy because I was leaning towards biological.

Grace Mason I recommend talking with more than one surgeon, each have their preferred types of surgeries and may... Read more

Grace Mason I recommend talking with more than one surgeon, each have their preferred types of surgeries and maybe different opinions. Gather as much information as you can gather, until you are confident in what you want. The search on Adam's site is a great place to learn a lot. Best to you in your heart journey and decision

I was going with bioprosthetic if the Ross was not an option for me, I am happy that it ended up being a Ross.

Rita Savelis I'm sorry you have to make this choice. This is the question everyone asks. Unfortunately each type o ... Read more

Rita Savelis I'm sorry you have to make this choice. This is the question everyone asks. Unfortunately each type of valve has its pluses and minuses. There is no right choice. If there were, this question would not come up. One really can not know how each valve will react in your body or how long it will last. At your young age, you are looking at several surgeries as tissue valves last a shorter time in a young patient. If you eventually get a TAVR, know that TAVRs also need replacement. Whatever choice you make will be a personal singular choice and right for you. I've had 2 mechanical valves after double valve surgery 8 years ago when I was 53. Further surgery was not recommended for me. I have had no problems with anticoagulants and test about once a month whenever I feel like it and make my own med adjustments. I eat everything in moderation and dose my meds around my regular diet. Take care.

Sean Adkins I have my procedure in two weeks so I’ve been facing the same dilemma. Coincidentally, we are the s ... Read more

Sean Adkins I have my procedure in two weeks so I’ve been facing the same dilemma. Coincidentally, we are the same age. I won’t get to discuss this with my surgeon until the day prior but I’m leaning towards the Edwards Inspiris Resilia with the vfit technology for a future TAVR replacement

chris Madden OMG...Thanks so much. You are all amazing. I have to admit when I posted here I was skeptical on what kind of responses I would get. (all this in less than 12 hours...wow)I feel so much better now knowing that I am not alone in this journey and that I am not being over analytical with this decision. No matter what I choose..... I do know one thing for sure........ that I will pay if forward through this site by helping other people like us who need support.

Looks like I need watch some more videos and do some more research on Mechanical Valves, TAVRs, Ross, edwards Inspiris resilia, etc.

I will report back with my findings
... Read more

Robert Miller Check out my post to @Lynne Mason and also check the learning center. There is a lot of information t ... Read more

Robert Miller Check out my post to @Lynne Mason and also check the learning center. There is a lot of information there about this topic. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php
You happen to be at an age where you are just at the border of tissue valve vs mechanical valve. I was in exactly the same shoes as you. For the longest time, it was fairly clear to me that I wanted a mechanical valve if a replacement was necessary. But then for my second surgery, after consulting with my surgeon again, last minute I decided it should be a tissue valve. There is the risk of needing OHS again in some 25 years (15 years for the first valve with OHS, 10-15 years for the replacement with minimal invasive surgery/TAVR).