Eric Hanson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

20 days ago

Sooooo.... I met with the surgeon for the first time yesterday, as we discussed the procedure and some of my risks, I was taken back a bit that my recovery ...Read more

Sooooo.... I met with the surgeon for the first time yesterday, as we discussed the procedure and some of my risks, I was taken back a bit that my recovery may take twice as long as others due to a large amount of radiation treatments I got nearly 30 years ago in my chest area. He told me the breast plate will take quite a bit longer to heal as well as there may be some slightly damaged tissue inside the chest still that could also make the recovery more difficult. I would love to hear from anyone that has had mantle radiation treatments at some point and then had to go thru OHS and how your recovery went.

The second thing that I wanted to ask this group is what your opinion is on mechanical vs tissue Artial Valves. My Cardiologist had talked mostly about mechanical, but the surgeon is leaning more toward a cow tissue valve. I have been reading some studies on the two, but I would like to hear from some others, mostly of what life is like on blood thinners, that seems to be the biggest life change in going with a mechanical valve.

Pamela Gregory That is the million dollar question. I struggled with that one for a long time but ultimately went wi ... Read more

Pamela Gregory That is the million dollar question. I struggled with that one for a long time but ultimately went with a biological valve at 55 because I didn't want to live with the Coumadin. It is a very personal choice and there are a lot of heart patients on this site that are very pleased with their choice of mechanical valve

Chris Germano It is indeed a top question! Based on your picture, you seem to be an outdoorsy kinda guy, like me (I ... Read more

Chris Germano It is indeed a top question! Based on your picture, you seem to be an outdoorsy kinda guy, like me (I'm 66). I'm kayaking, golfing, backpacking, fixing things around the house, and doing yard work. I'm always getting cuts on my legs and hands that I don't even notice till my wife tells me I have blood running down my leg. So, I'm going for the tissue/biological valve to avoid blood thinners that could prevent proper clotting of all my scratches and cuts. My current issue is deciding on the new Edwards Resilia valve, designed to help prevent calcification, which could prolong the valve's life. But there is only 8 years of follow-up data on this valve, as opposed to decades of data on the older bio valve. Best of luck with what lies ahead.

Eric Hanson Thank you Chris and Pamela for the comments. I am now leaning toward a bio tissue valve and mostly du ... Read more

Eric Hanson Thank you Chris and Pamela for the comments. I am now leaning toward a bio tissue valve and mostly due to the same reasons you mentioned Chris. I love to do handyman work around the house and for others as well as being a gear head on my vehicles. I have had way to many small mishaps with Fish hooks, utility knives, saws, wrenches and of the sort. I am at 9 days and counting until i can claim i have an upgraded the engine with a Valve 2.0 aftermarket parts.

Chris Germano Great Tee shirt.

Best of luck!!!!

Derek Schilling Hello Eric, I had my aortic valve replaced at 44 with a tissue valve full knowing I would need anothe ... Read more

Derek Schilling Hello Eric, I had my aortic valve replaced at 44 with a tissue valve full knowing I would need another one in the next 10 to 15ish years,but wanted to live a completely normal life as long as I could without blood thinners,etc. So however long this lasts will decide what I have to do next, but whatever you choose, be it a tissue or mechanical, just do your research and make the best decision for you at this time with an eye on the future and don't second guess your decision once it is completed. Best of luck to you getting back to good health!