Sean's Journal

Erica Archibald  I chose On-x 22years ago. Fun fact I was part of the FDA approval for mitral. My mitral is awesome still! I do need my aortic redone… working on that now

Sean Adkins  I've been looking at the On-x and the Edwards Inspiris Resilia. I'm not that familiar with blood thinners and I'm not sure how I will do on them. I'm not excited about the prospect of another procedure in the future either. It's a lot to consider. 

Adam Pick  Sean, Great job doing a lot thinking, research and more thinking about your options. The really great news is that are in the care of Dr. Svensson. He'll definitely have really good information, data and clinical experiences to support your choice.

So you know, I had the Ross Procedure over 17 years ago. Thus far, knock on wood, I have not had any issues. It might be worth learning more about that if you are a candidate for it.

All the best with your choice! Please keep us updated!

Sean Adkins  I greatly appreciate your prayers, Grace. 

Adam - thank you. I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be at Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Svensson as my surgeon.

Rajan Parrikar  Age also factors into the decision. In February this year, at 59, I got the Edwards Inspiris bio valve to replace my bicuspid aortic valve. These new valves are said to represent a significant advance in durability.

Matthew Allen  G’day Sean, I’m going in Monday 9/11 to have a similar repair to you.  Im 47 and like you was really fit and racing (cycling not running) when my GP picked up a heart murmur in March this year 2023.  A month later I was being told I had a 50cm ascending aorta and regurgitation and to stop racing!

I’m fortunate that my BAV is a candidate  for a repair ( I.e. nothing has ruled me out yet).  however the surgeon can’t say for certain until he’s had a close look at the valve.

So I’ve opted for a tissue valve as my back up plan - which I know want last my expected lifetime and will need repair/replacement in 15-20years. However I’m a very active guy and the blood thinners seem to be “fun adventure killers”!  I can’t imagine life without taking a few knocks!

I was advised by a couple of cardiologists that mechanical valve was the only way and that my karate, mountain biking, snow boarding, bouldering says we’re over .  

I’ve recently sold my business and after working my arse off for 12 years I had been looking forward to more of the above adventures with my teenage kids.  The whole deal didn’t really seem fair!

I did my research, found a surgeon who can most likely repair my valve and I’m going to give it a crack.

Feels like a big thing to opt for a backup plan that’s counter to the advice of the cardiologists, but in the end the decision is not just a statistical durability one. Quality of life is an equally important metric to me. 

So I’m getting the biggest tissue valve I can as this opens up the option for a TAVI if needed in future. 

And in the meantime I’m going to grab this second chance with two hands! 

David Sabritt   I received a Medtronic porcine valve at age 68  to replace a bicuspid valve with severe stenosis.  Almost 10 years later I'm doing fine.  Choosing a tissue valve might have saved my life, since I turned out to have a previously undiagnosed blood disorder that would have made anticoagulants very risky.  I think it would be wise to have some specialized blood work done, since some conditions like mine (Factor XI Deficiency) are not picked up by standard lab tests.

Rose Madura  I chose a tissue valve at age 59. The choice is such a very personal one and only you can make it.  Once you decide, don't look back or question yourself.  It will be the right decision for you!  Godspeed.

Brent Musat  Sean, I too had a hard time weighing pros/cons of artificial, ross, or tissue valve for my aortic valve replacement and root repair.. It's been 16 months since my surgery and I went with the tissue valve (27m). I just turned 49 and I fully know I will need a TAVR in roughly 15 years.. but I feel great now, honestly better than before surgery.

I decided against Ross because I didn't want to have a two valve problem and was worried about my dilated root, and chose against mechanical because of the blood thinners and the lifestyle change and risks associated with that.. but I am gambling on the future procedure(s) that I will need. But I think that the TAVR technology will get better by the time I need one in 15 or a second 30 years from now.



Truth is it's an individual choice and I just wanted to prioritize my life in my 50's without many restrictions so that's what swayed my decision.

I know it seems overwhelming right now but give it some time and I'm sure the right decision will present itself to you.. trust me I felt the same way at the time.

Michael Kluse  May 15 I had an Edwards Inspiris bio valve replace my stenotic aortic  valve. I just turned 72. Didn’t want to take blood thinners. Surgeon said I’d likely never have to worry about this new valve again. But if I do TAVR will be an option. I got through the surgery and recovery  fairly easily and am now back to normal. Recent CT showed valve doing great. 

Michele Miller  Great responses on this post! I will have an Inspiris Resilia replace my regurgitating aortic valve on Oct. 19. I am 54 and thought very hard about getting a mechanical valve, like my dad got 23 years ago. He is doing well but I would like to avoid blood thinners. I hope that if I need this valve replaced in 10-15-20 years, it can be by TAVR

William Trankle  Got a St. Jude porcine valve after my aortic valve repair failed shortly after surgery.  Unfortunately, I got just less than 5 years of use before it started to stiffen up, so now I'm clicking away with an On-X valve that should outlast me.  Warfarin is no joke, but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be (been on it for 10 years now).  

Dana Knight  I had a Edwards Bovine Aorta valve put in 2016. Oct 4 I am getting it redone (not because it is bad) dr put in to small of one , since I’m having MV replaced I’m having a larger Aorta put in. The reasoning is I have Radiation Heart Disease and if I need surgery again a TAV-R valve will fit without OHS. Mechanical clicking would drive me nuts and I’m on blood thinner right now due to my heart issues and I look like an abused woman. Bruises don’t go away. Also having tricuspid valve repaired and an ablation done. I am 62 with a sticky, hostile, and stiff heart. Heart of an 85 year old. I survived cancer twice. First time I was 15. 
To live this long after having treatments twice is a miracle. I have been blessed.  Just make sure they put a large enough of one in so you can have TAVR in the future.