Jackie's Journal

Rita Savelis  The life span of biological valve varies, but is shorter the younger a patient is. Maybe 8 to 10 years, but that is just a statistic. You'll have to get your surgeon's input. 40 is very young in the cardiac world and I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I was 53.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I think that biovalves last  between 10 and 15 years in young people and the newest ones (last technology) up to 20 years, but there is a wide range, the average about 12 years. In aortic position, there is an advantage for the biological, which is that when valve is wear out, can be replaced by "valve in valve" procedure via catheter or in the worst case, put a second one either mechanical or biological. Thats is one advantage of biovalves, in addition to not needing anticoagulants for life. Anyway you can choose any of them, taking into account your surgeon advice. You can see more information in the part "learning center" up in the menu of this page.  Best wishes.

Andrew Dial  You may be a candidate for the Ross Procedure.. no blood thinners, and excellent long term potential. 

Pamela Gregory  Andrew might have the perfect answer for you! My understanding is that 10-15 years is the average but newer valves are expected to last upwards of 20 years for biological valves. I went biological at 55 years old. Adam Pick and many others on this site had Ross Procedure

John Cook  If there is someone near you or you can travel to and see if you are a good Ross candidate, that might be the best option for you.  The surgery is longer and the risk is slightly higher but the longevity & re-intervention statistics are the best.

Otherwise, it’s a tradeoff between:
-a biologic valve that wears out between 10 & 15 years but shouldn’t require any extra medications; or
- a mechanical valve that lasts a long time but requires being on blood thinners for life.

Darrell Malone  Hello. Definitely look into seeing if you are a Ross Procedure candidate, as Andrew said no blood thinners you are on the younger side it may have a lot of upswing for you. Take care. 

Christopher T  I thought my surgeon told me they can do a valve inside a valve with a TAVR. So the second time around, it isn't as invasive, being you are at a younger age. I would ask specific questions around that. 

Jennifer reynolds  I was 59 years old when I had to get a new mitral valve and opted for mechanical , doc said biological only last 10-15 years. Would not want to go through another surgery.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Not everybody is suitable to undergo a Ross procedure. On this point, I would ask the opinion of a surgeon/team very expertise. Here we have videos explaining the know how of the procedure.

JOHN DANGELO  I'm 33 and just went with the Ross Procedure. Offers really good long term outcome. Highly recommend. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz   Yes, as younger as better for Ross procedure. I don´t know why, beyond the age considerations, of course (lol),                                                              

Meredith Bray  Hey! I was 43 when I had my surgery for a bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis in 2014. There were 3 of us about the same age in the same week - 1 got a bio valve and had it replaced in less than 10 years. 1 got a mechanical valve and had minor complications but no anti-coagulation issues, and 1 got a mechanical valve with no complications.  I'm one of the mechanical ones. My only "blood thinner" concern was going through menopause at age 48-52, I had very heavy bleeding and was uncomfortable for a few years. Feel free to read my journal and contact me if you have any questions. MeredithLBray at hotmail :)

Jackie Guy  Thanks Meredith. I emailed you. I’d love to hear your story or anyone else’s who had a mechanical valve and how it’s going. What’s the average lifespan of the mechanical valve?