During one of my consult with the surgeons they mentioned the possibility of repairing my valve vs replacing the valve. It was indicated that typically they ...Read more
During one of my consult with the surgeons they mentioned the possibility of repairing my valve vs replacing the valve. It was indicated that typically they don't if replacement is possible until the surgery itself. I was trying to research on what goes into a repair surgery and wanted to see if there was any information or experiences with it here? One question we had was how durable/lasting would a repair be vs replacement? Does a repair typically last as long as a replacement? Any insight would be welcomed. Thank you.
Joy Vera Hi Craig. One of the several things my surgery on 5/3 included was repair of my leaky mitral valve. ... Read more
Joy Vera Hi Craig. One of the several things my surgery on 5/3 included was repair of my leaky mitral valve. The way my surgeon described it to me was - he put a ring around the opening to stabilize the valve & sutured it down. He is hoping it will last me long enough for there to be more developments made on mitral transcatheter replacements. He said more focus has been placed on TAVR (aortic). After my surgery, he did confirm that he'd been able to repair it vs. replace it so, yes, things can change once they get a better look during the surgery. I can't answer how long it will last but feel sure others here can provide some info there. My understanding is that a repair is preferable because you retain your own tissue afterward.
Darren Ketchley Repair is by far the best outcome. If successful then should last a lifetime.
Hi Craig!
My surgeon (shout out to Dr. James Gammie at the University of Maryland Medical Center) is ... Read more
Hi Craig!
My surgeon (shout out to Dr. James Gammie at the University of Maryland Medical Center) is of the opinion that repairing a valve where possible is better because as he says, "it's the one God gave you".
I concur. I had my mitral valve repaired in November 2018.
Of course there are situations where a particular valve may be damaged/deteriorated to the point where a repair is not a viable option and then replacement becomes necessary. Each individual surgeon makes that determination, whether to repair or replace.
One thing to keep in mind is that even as advanced as all the pre-surgery testing and imaging procedures are, the real decision whether to replace or repair comes when you are in surgery and the surgeon gets an up close look at your heart.
This is why pre-surgery in repair cases, the patient is asked what kind of valve (tissue or mechanical) they want, in case the valve cannot be repaired.
Hope this helps.
Peace and blessings to you!
Stent vs stent-less valve replacements? - Is there a difference/advantages between a stent vs stent-less replacement valve?
Joy Vera There are no doubt other stentless valves but my equine stentless that was put in in 2010 lasted 9 ye ... Read more
Joy Vera There are no doubt other stentless valves but my equine stentless that was put in in 2010 lasted 9 years. It was newer at the time & the thinking was that it would likely last 15-20. My surgeon said that the outer ring held up but the leaflets did not. So the part that made it stentless did what it was supposed to, at least for 9 years.
I have a bicuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency and have been told I need to have the valve replaced with OHS. I am 44, in the process of trying to ...Read more
I have a bicuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency and have been told I need to have the valve replaced with OHS. I am 44, in the process of trying to choose which type of valve would be the best option and I am interested in the Edwards insperis valve, I wanted to ask if there was anyone who could share any research or experience with this valve? Is it available only at certain hospitals? Are some surgeons more comfortable/experienced with it? From what I have read it sounds promising given my profile, age, and concern with being on blood thinners if I went with the mechanical route. Any information you could share would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Jill Mullikin My son was also told his bicuspid valve needed to be replaced due to insufficiency but this condition ... Read more
Jill Mullikin My son was also told his bicuspid valve needed to be replaced due to insufficiency but this condition can be repairable. We didn’t know until we spoke to a surgeon. I don’t know where you are located but the Cleveland Clinic seems to be the best. Do you know if you also have an aortic aneurysm?
Craig Lawden I had an MRI done a few weeks ago and it showed no sign of aneurysm as best they could tell.
Jill Mullikin That’s excellent news. That often changes minimally invasive options. I still recommend having a ... Read more
Jill Mullikin That’s excellent news. That often changes minimally invasive options. I still recommend having a couple surgeons review your images. You may find that you are eligible for repair.
William Fults I got an Inspirus Resilia valve in February of this year. Like you said, it sounds promising, but as ... Read more
William Fults I got an Inspirus Resilia valve in February of this year. Like you said, it sounds promising, but as far as longevity it just hasn't been around long enough to say for sure. It's hoped that patients with this valve can get 20-25 years from of it. It’s close to the same design as the older Edwards’ bovine bio prosthesis, storage method/treatment being the big difference. I’m about your age, I turned 46 in the hospital. After reading about the device and early reports of success (so far), I decided it was worth the try. I didn't want a mechanical valve for a few different reasons, and I figured the IR would at least last as long as the old version of Edward’s bovine bio prosthetic. My research on this valve brought me to my surgeon, Lars Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic. He did the trial here in the US, and had put over 700 of these devices in prior to the FDA approval in January of 2018. I believe the device is available anywhere in the US at this point, but I would look for a surgeon that has the most experience with your choice. Of course, travel distance, insurance, etc. have to figure in to the choice as well, but the rule of thumb would be experience with a specific device and procedure is really important. It’s a big decision, and it’s one we all ultimately have to make for ourselves, but I’m very comfortable with the decision I made. The surgeon told me he’s had excellent results with it, with no failures of the valve, and they’re not seeing the calcification happening on these things that’s generally seen on the old style either. There are a number of folks on this site that have this valve, and can probably suggest a Surgeon/hospital that fits your needs geographically.
Craig Lawden Thank you this is very helpful. I appreciate it.
Dan Baltazor Hi Craig, I also had a bicuspid valve and had it replaced at 44yrs of age 6 months ago. I chose the ... Read more
Dan Baltazor Hi Craig, I also had a bicuspid valve and had it replaced at 44yrs of age 6 months ago. I chose the Inspiris Resilia valve. My surgeon had not implanted this valve before but he researched it and said he would do it. I'm only 6 months in, but I am glad I chose it. I'm only on a baby aspirin a day for medication now. Good luck to you in your deciding process. Keep researching and you'll find what's best for you.
Bradley Dunn My surgeon was Lars Svensson as well. I am only a year younger than William and also requested the IR ... Read more
Bradley Dunn My surgeon was Lars Svensson as well. I am only a year younger than William and also requested the IR as a backup valve. Dr Svensson said it would only last 5 years in me at the most. He refused to use it as my backup. I then switched to On-X.
I am baffled why he would say one thing to me and another to William when we are only a year a part in age.
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David Moore My husband David also got the IR valve after I had researched on this website the options he had. Ou ... Read more
David Moore My husband David also got the IR valve after I had researched on this website the options he had. Our surgeon here in Atlanta at Piedmont Heart, Dr. John Gott, had not used it before but looked into it after I asked about it. Within the two weeks of me asking and David's surgery he used it several times and said he had no issues with putting it in David at 61 years old. So far so good. Replacement options in 20-25 years were our reason for wanting to use it. By then David would be 81-86 and we thought a plug and play choice was better than blood thinners and clicking noises for the rest of his life. Praying all goes well with you. - Cheryl
Hi, I am new to this forum and grateful to have found it. I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve/aortic insufficiency in my early twenties and have been ...Read more
Hi, I am new to this forum and grateful to have found it. I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve/aortic insufficiency in my early twenties and have been monitored with regular echos over the last twenty years. I have been told by my cardiologist that is time to have surgery to replace the valve sometime over the next couple months. In the process I have confirmed this recommendation from my cardiologist with two other independent cardiologists. I have also met with two surgeons to go over the surgery and discuss options as far as valve type (tissue or mechanical)? I would be interested in advice on valve choice as it has not been very clear. The guidance I have received from the cardiologists that I have spoke with have said the tissue valve with advent of tavr down the road would be preferable than going with a mechanical valve and staying on blood thinners for the rest of my life. However based on the consults with the surgeons they have strongly advised that I consider going with a mechanical valve to hopefully forego a future surgery. I have two young boys and while I don't do any extreme sports other than being a father, I do enjoy exercising and it has been a regular part of my life. Any advice on this decision this forum could provide would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you.
Chris Purvis Hey Craig- I had the same thing on 6/21/18 along with an aneurysm in my aorta. It is very personal an ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey Craig- I had the same thing on 6/21/18 along with an aneurysm in my aorta. It is very personal and a decision only you can make but I went with a tissue valve-I was 41 at the time. Happy to answer any further questions..
Reghu Madathil Hi Chris, My husband has exact same issue. He is scheduled for surgery on May 17 we will be seeing th ... Read more
Reghu Madathil Hi Chris, My husband has exact same issue. He is scheduled for surgery on May 17 we will be seeing the surgeon May 7th. The cardiologist has suggested to go with prothetic valve. we have done some research we will get the opinion and May 7th and let you know what Dr. recommended for my husband. He is in his 50's
Helge Volden My surgeon suggested getting a bovine bioprosthetic valve. I’m happy he suggested it I’m fairly a ... Read more
Helge Volden My surgeon suggested getting a bovine bioprosthetic valve. I’m happy he suggested it I’m fairly active and adding blood thinners to my growing drug regimen didn’t seem very appealing. I was told that tissue valves can last in the 15 year and beyond range. I also had an ascending aneurysm that was at about 5.5.cm. any way Im 59 and I had OHS in Sept 2018. Things are getting pretty much back to normal.
Heidi Rockwood Did anyone run into issues with insurance covering mechanical vs tissue valves? Is this negotiable? ... Read more
Heidi Rockwood Did anyone run into issues with insurance covering mechanical vs tissue valves? Is this negotiable?
Civita Fahey I was 55 when I had my valve replaced two years ago, and my surgeon like yours said that a tissue val ... Read more
Civita Fahey I was 55 when I had my valve replaced two years ago, and my surgeon like yours said that a tissue valve would be a better choice with the prospect of a TAVR down the road as opposed to life long blood thinners. I chose that route. I know it will mean another surgery, but, a redo is also pretty low on the risk scale. I felt for me it was the right choice. its extremely personal and there is no right or wrong, its a matter of what is important to you. I know I had to have a major surgery on my elbow this past fall as I fell and pretty much crushed it, and the surgeon said if I had been on Coumadin it would have made it much more complicated. So, I guess for it was the right choice.. best of luck.
Mark Jaycox I was 57 and I went with the Edwards Resillia Tissue valve. I'm told this can last as long as 30 year ... Read more
Mark Jaycox I was 57 and I went with the Edwards Resillia Tissue valve. I'm told this can last as long as 30 years. It's been 5 months and no issues so far..
Craig Lawden Thank you all for sharing your insight and wisdom, this has been a much more challenging decision wit ... Read more
Craig Lawden Thank you all for sharing your insight and wisdom, this has been a much more challenging decision with differing opinions between the cardiologists and the surgeons as to what valve type they recommend for me. I did read up on the Edwards Resillia Tissue valve and I am planning to ask the surgeons I am getting consults from about it and their comfort with it.
Kathi Mancuso Hi everyone.... I haven’t posted in a long time. Like Civita Faneuil I also am coming upon my 2 yea ... Read more
Kathi Mancuso Hi everyone.... I haven’t posted in a long time. Like Civita Faneuil I also am coming upon my 2 year mark and I too chose the Bovine valve..... Mine is an Edwards.
The life of blood thinners and diet and alcohol restrictions was not a good choice for me.
Several cardiologists during my angiogram told me to do tissue as TAVR will be used if and when needed in the future
Noreen Kitchen I had my replacement 2 years ago when I was 47 and with the advice of my surgeon I have a mechanical ... Read more
Noreen Kitchen I had my replacement 2 years ago when I was 47 and with the advice of my surgeon I have a mechanical valve. Initially it was difficult to get my level stable but now it’s no big deal. I do extreme fitness 3 times a week eat a balanced diet with as much consistency as I can and I’ve had no problems. It hasn’t had the big effect on my life that others worry about. I got used to the ticking sound pretty quickly which I really only hear when it’s very quiet and all is good.
I am from: Charlotte
My surgery date is: June 19, 2019
My surgeon (shout out to Dr. James Gammie at the University of Maryland Medical Center) is ... Read more
My surgeon (shout out to Dr. James Gammie at the University of Maryland Medical Center) is of the opinion that repairing a valve where possible is better because as he says, "it's the one God gave you".
I concur. I had my mitral valve repaired in November 2018.
Of course there are situations where a particular valve may be damaged/deteriorated to the point where a repair is not a viable option and then replacement becomes necessary. Each individual surgeon makes that determination, whether to repair or replace.
One thing to keep in mind is that even as advanced as all the pre-surgery testing and imaging procedures are, the real decision whether to replace or repair comes when you are in surgery and the surgeon gets an up close look at your heart.
This is why pre-surgery in repair cases, the patient is asked what kind of valve (tissue or mechanical) they want, in case the valve cannot be repaired.
Hope this helps.
Peace and blessings to you!