Chris's Journal

Elaine Cutri  I had a pigs valve implanted in 1981. It worked great until about year 9. I started taking Coumadin at a lower level than a mechanical valve. Three years later I received a mechanical valve (St Jude). This was my third OHS and I hoped my last so I opted for a mechanical valve. Last May I had my ascending aorta aneurysm repaired. The surgeon suggested a new mechanical aortic valve that was slightly bigger. He also shored up my tricuspid valve with an annuloplasty ring to stop some regurgitation. I hope OSH #4 is the last. This last recovery was manageable and I'm back to my regular schedule.
Which ever blood thinning Rx you take, be aware of the side effects and what can be done in case of an emergency. I believe they can give me vitamin K to reverse the effects of Coumadin. I don't know about other meds. Best wishes!

Emily Rowley  You have been through slot Elaine, such a trooper! I just read you have an annuloplasty ring in your valve to try stop some regurgitation, I too have an Annuloplasty ring inserted in one of my valves to reshape/hold leaflets in place and I use to have severe regurgitation-I was wondering does this ring prevent regurgitation?

I didn't know blood thinner could delay surgery. Unfortunately there are no guarantees however whatever gives you the best result Chris ☺

Rita Savelis  Anticoagulants don't "delay" surgery but they have to be considered and lowered before surgery. They've been around for a long time so doctors are very aware of what to do and how to manage them.

Chris Rogers  I may well have misunderstood what was said and neither properly relayed it.
I did however understand the valve is not working as well as it once was and the reasoning given was that there are possibly small clots...although I don't know how this is seen with an echo...but I don't know much...Coumadin, the testing, the restrictions.
I just see Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis, Savaysa as much more user friendly alternates. Are there any opinions?

Elaine Cutri  The blood thinner meds do not postpone the surgery. It's to prevent clots from the valve that is starting to become stenotic or leaky. The valve may not be bad enough to warrant surgery yet, it just needs a little Rx help to keep you safe from clots.
Emily - my understanding is the ring gets rid of the floppiness of the valve and stops/reduces the regurgitation. I will find out in about 2 weeks when I have an echo done to see how things look one year post OHS.

Clare Auten  One nurse who was drawing my blood for my coumadin check said she prefers coumadin to the others. It has anecdotes if you start bleeding. Many if the others don't. My valve is mechanical so I don't have a choice.

Chris Rogers  Clare-Plavex which seems to be the most well known has an anecdote. As an aside I understand the need for someone with a mechanical valve to remain on coumadin, but wonder if it's not impossible to have the mechanical valves replaced with a tissue? I'm not so sure you don't have a choice?

Emily Rowley  Great simply explanation Elaine, look forward to hearing how yours goes. I'm having echo in 1 week. I still have tiny amount of leakage, after my 1st op I had small amount of leakage which worsen over time which is my concern this time. Apparently even with mechanical valves a patient can have tiny amount of regurgitation.

Mary Wagner  Not sure we can take placid. Check it out pretty carefully. I have been on Coumadin for 26 years....more a nuisance than anything else.

Rita Savelis  Most of the other (expensive!) anticoagulants like Xarelto are not for heart valve replacement patients. They are used in other situations. I hear you that is terrible when you find out you need meds for life. You have to mourn that situation. I've been there. Ultimately eventually coumadin is a small annoyance in a non-perfect world.