Brand new here. I am 54, and I have a bi-cuspid aortic valve. The valve is being replaced using the TAVR technique on October 28th. Dr Doolabh at UT Southwestern ...Read more
Brand new here. I am 54, and I have a bi-cuspid aortic valve. The valve is being replaced using the TAVR technique on October 28th. Dr Doolabh at UT Southwestern in Dallas is doing the procedure.
I am having trouble deciding between a bovine or a mechanical valve. Since I am young, I know I should go with Mechanical, but I am also worried about taking blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am pretty active and tend to nick, bump, and cut myself regularly while working around the house or playing sports.
If I go with a bovine valve, I know it will need to be replaced in 10+ years, and he said it would then require my chest to be cracked open, which honestly scares me to death. I have also seen where they can insert a mechanical valve when a replacement is needed. How common is that?
Any advice is greatly appreciated? Thanks!
Valerie Allen You might consider doing the OHS now and the TAVR as a follow up when you are older, if you do not w ... Read more
Valerie Allen You might consider doing the OHS now and the TAVR as a follow up when you are older, if you do not want a mechanical valve. I know, it took me a long time to come around to that but that is the only way my surgeon would do it. Good luck
Rose Madura Hi Jeff, welcome! I have two thoughts for you to think about. One, are you a candidate for a Ross P ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Jeff, welcome! I have two thoughts for you to think about. One, are you a candidate for a Ross Procedure? Read up on that. The founder of this great website had that as have several others on this site. If that's not an option, my second thought is having SAVR this time around with a bovine valve and then, in 15-20 years, have a TAVR. I would definitely get a second or even third opinion. Definitely do your diligence in research. Please keep us posted. 👍
Rose Madura Valerie and I think alike! We must have been typing at the same time!
I am from: Bullard
I am having trouble deciding between a bovine or a mechanical valve. Since I am young, I know I should go with Mechanical, but I am also worried about taking blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am pretty active and tend to nick, bump, and cut myself regularly while working around the house or playing sports.
If I go with a bovine valve, I know it will need to be replaced in 10+ years, and he said it would then require my chest to be cracked open, which honestly scares me to death. I have also seen where they can insert a mechanical valve when a replacement is needed. How common is that?
Any advice is greatly appreciated? Thanks!