I have surgery scheduled 3/24 to replace my very leaky mitral valve. I need to decide whether to get a mechanical mitral valve, requiring coumadin, or a tissue ...Read more
I have surgery scheduled 3/24 to replace my very leaky mitral valve. I need to decide whether to get a mechanical mitral valve, requiring coumadin, or a tissue valve, which will wear our sooner. I've very concerned about all the issues surrounding coumadin and would appreciate others' thinking and experience. Thanks.
Lisa Giaccone Hi Gail! My mom just had AVR and went with tissue. She's 69. The doctor said younger than 70 mecha ... Read more
Lisa Giaccone Hi Gail! My mom just had AVR and went with tissue. She's 69. The doctor said younger than 70 mechanical is recommended older the tissue valve. Tissue valve he said lasts on average 12 years and mechanical forever but need the Coumadin.
Clare Auten Everyone has to make the decision that is best for them...there is no wrong choice.
I was 45 at the t ... Read more
Clare Auten Everyone has to make the decision that is best for them...there is no wrong choice.
I was 45 at the time of surgery and chose mechanical for my Aortic Valve. I've been on warfarin over 3 years now with only a couple of bumps.
Very happy with my choice so far.
Cathy Zuber Hi Gail, I'm having my mitral valve surgery on March 15. You can see by my story that I've had AFIB ... Read more
Cathy Zuber Hi Gail, I'm having my mitral valve surgery on March 15. You can see by my story that I've had AFIB and a blood clot. At the time, Coumadin was the only blood thinner. So,,that's what I took. The biggest pain for me was remembering that I had to balance the amounts of leafy greens..I did hate to have the blood tests and eventually went to Pradaxa. I bruise the same on both. Feel the same on both. No side effects compared to AFIB drugs. That said..I'm going for a mechanical valve , and Coumadin, if my valve has to be replaced. Yes, they can only do blood tests in one arm as I am a Breast Cancer survivor. Yes, I'll need to watch greens in the Summer....but no way am even thinking about OHS again to replace tissue valve. I'm a widow, with only a few friends to help me. My daughter is mentally disabled. This is horrible for her,,,I'll be lucky this isn't the cause of further mental regression for her. So..that's my choice. We're about a week on surgery..still holding on...Cathy
Barbara Wood Hi Gail, I'm hoping for a mitral valve repair but will chose a tissue valve if needed. I've been on E ... Read more
Barbara Wood Hi Gail, I'm hoping for a mitral valve repair but will chose a tissue valve if needed. I've been on Eliquis, a blood thinner for close to a year now & it hasn't been a problem, but I have avoided a few activities that I would normally do ( skiing, mountain biking) because of it. I just feel that being on a blood thinner cramps my style & look forward to being off it. But it is a personal choice, you have to weigh it all out.
Rita Savelis The choice is personal and there is no perfect choice. I'm sorry you have to go through this.
I have ... Read more
Rita Savelis The choice is personal and there is no perfect choice. I'm sorry you have to go through this.
I have 2 mechanical valves and anticoagulants have not been a problem and my life has not changed, except for the emotional trauma of getting over OHS.
I eat greens and never changed my diet. One can stay with the same diet and the meds will adjust to you, not you to them
I hate meds in theory but now they are part of my life and it's no problem really.
But I hear you on how difficult this choice can be.
It's personal and whatever you decide is right for you at this time. You just have to move forward.
There is no wrong choice.
Take care.
Marie Myers Gail- I will be having an AVR and aneurysm resection in a few weeks. I have decided on an On-X mechan ... Read more
Marie Myers Gail- I will be having an AVR and aneurysm resection in a few weeks. I have decided on an On-X mechanical valve. My surgeon has implanted many of these and some patients qualify for maintenance on Plavix and aspirin. That is what I am hoping for, but will do Coumadin if I must.
Michael Hill Gail, yes, its all about what you feel would fit your personal lifestyle (for me taking Coumadin eve ... Read more
Michael Hill Gail, yes, its all about what you feel would fit your personal lifestyle (for me taking Coumadin everyday and worrying about INR's/diet and possible falls was my reasoning to go with a tissue valve). My doc and I decided on a bovine valve for me personally. These procedures are becoming so much more advanced that I'm hoping in 10-15 years if I need another replacement it may end up being performed in the cath lab and not by an open heart procedure. There is no right our wrong choice. Best to you!
Andrea Smith I'm in the UK and had my first AVR 12 years ago at the age of 50. I opted for a tissue valve as I did ... Read more
Andrea Smith I'm in the UK and had my first AVR 12 years ago at the age of 50. I opted for a tissue valve as I didn't want to be on warfarin for the rest of my life. I think my surgeon would have preferred me to have the mechanical valve, but consultants I've seen over the years have said I made the right decision. However, I am now waiting for a redo and am beginning to question my decision! I'm really not looking forward to being opened up again. My new surgeon wants to use a tissue valve again and will do the op so that if it needs replacing in 15 years it can be done through an artery. In other words, there is no easy answer, but if it will be straightforward to replace via an artery in the future, perhaps that's the way to go. Best wishes
Phyllis Petersen There's no chance for a repair? You would still have to decide on a valve in case they can't repair. ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen There's no chance for a repair? You would still have to decide on a valve in case they can't repair. I had chosen a porcine since I've had internal bleeding issues most of my life and didn't really want to deal with coumadin, even though they assure me it doesn't have the same effects as NSAIDs.
Steve Farthing Most mitral valves can be repaired. If yours cannot, your doc can/should explain why. Docs also have ... Read more
Steve Farthing Most mitral valves can be repaired. If yours cannot, your doc can/should explain why. Docs also have different repair rates. I've had 2 surgeon consults in the last couple of weeks. One doc said he repairs 50% of mitral valves and the doc today repairs 75% of mitral valves he sees. Both docs said if they feel a valve can be repaired, the repair success rate is 90-95%. Tissue valves last longer the older you are. Mechanical valves last longest but cannot be replaced via trans-catheter, most tissue valves can be via leg vein (probably including mitral tissue valves in the next 5-10 years).
Gail Norris Thank you all for your great comments. I have decided to go with a mechanical mitral valve if my sur ... Read more
Gail Norris Thank you all for your great comments. I have decided to go with a mechanical mitral valve if my surgeon isn't able to repair it (he won't know until he's in there). I'm waiting for his call to tell me which mechanical valve he'll use if repair isn't necessary. I have talked to a number of people using coumadin who say you get used to it. I also have read that another OHS in 10 or so years to replace a tissue valve has a high rate of death due to my age.
I was 45 at the t ... Read more
I was 45 at the time of surgery and chose mechanical for my Aortic Valve. I've been on warfarin over 3 years now with only a couple of bumps.
Very happy with my choice so far.
I have ... Read more
I have 2 mechanical valves and anticoagulants have not been a problem and my life has not changed, except for the emotional trauma of getting over OHS.
I eat greens and never changed my diet. One can stay with the same diet and the meds will adjust to you, not you to them
I hate meds in theory but now they are part of my life and it's no problem really.
But I hear you on how difficult this choice can be.
It's personal and whatever you decide is right for you at this time. You just have to move forward.
There is no wrong choice.
Take care.