Hello! I’ve enjoyed reading these blogs and stories and trying to get some insight for my husband and I, that comes from patients rather than websites. ...Read more
Hello! I’ve enjoyed reading these blogs and stories and trying to get some insight for my husband and I, that comes from patients rather than websites. He has a bicuspid valve that needs replacing as well at the aortic tube/arch which is severely dialated. This is likely to be done in the next month. He is 49 and active, mountain biker, runner, snowboarder, outdoorsy person. We still don’t know whether to go for a mechanical or biological valve and understand it’s a personal decision, one surgery but blood thinners for life or pigs valve and have a replacement hanging over us in the future, although that one could possibly be done by TAVI. How are people finding the blood thinner medication, Warfarin? How did you guys make your decision on which valve to choose. Any advice would be much appreciated, at this rate we will be flipping a coin. Thank you
Rose Madura At 59, I chose a tissue valve. At first I was going to go with the Onyx but a conversation with the s ... Read more
Rose Madura At 59, I chose a tissue valve. At first I was going to go with the Onyx but a conversation with the surgeon (and my brother who is a doctor) about blood thinners I did not want blood thinners. But others do fine with them. It is a most difficult decision that only you and your husband have to make. My valve is almost 7 years old now and still doing great. So do your research, ask questions, make a decision and go with it. Don't look back or second guess. God bless you both.
Jeff Williams I haven't had any issues with Warfarin. I'm 10 months in with an On-X Aortic valve. 40 years old an ... Read more
Jeff Williams I haven't had any issues with Warfarin. I'm 10 months in with an On-X Aortic valve. 40 years old and active.
Darrell Malone Hello. Have you looked into the Ross Procedure. It maybe another option to look at. I chose this rout ... Read more
Darrell Malone Hello. Have you looked into the Ross Procedure. It maybe another option to look at. I chose this route. All the best.
Jim Rizzo I'm 55 and active. I chose the On-X valve. I just had surgery on 5/13 so I don't have a lot to share ... Read more
Jim Rizzo I'm 55 and active. I chose the On-X valve. I just had surgery on 5/13 so I don't have a lot to share on the blood thinners. For my 2 cents, at my age I didn't want to have to have another surgery if I went with the tissue valve, whereas On-X was "one and done". So far so good.
Paul Lebel No side effects from warfarin other than its intended purpose. Even with a tissue valve he'll be on ... Read more
Paul Lebel No side effects from warfarin other than its intended purpose. Even with a tissue valve he'll be on it for 3 months. Being old with thin skin and a tinkerer, every little scrape from every little project always left me with seriously bleeders.
Rita Savelis I'm sorry that your husband needs to have heart surgery so young. I had two valves replaced 9 years a ... Read more
Rita Savelis I'm sorry that your husband needs to have heart surgery so young. I had two valves replaced 9 years ago at age 52 and have 2 mechanical valves. Because my valves had radiation induced stenosis mechanical (no more surgery) was the best choice for me and I trusted my surgeon. Every situation is very individual and every decision has pros and cons. I'm sorry that you have to make this decision because there is no right or wrong and there are plus and minuses for each one. Whatever decision your husband makes will be the right one for him at the time. I personally have had no problems with anticoagulants, I eat whatever I want to, get a blood test once a month and don't hear my mechanical valves ticking. But of course living without meds would be great as well. Take care.
Daneen Douglas At 52 I chose the Freestyle root and biologic valve. With this I am able to receive the TAVR hopeful ... Read more
Daneen Douglas At 52 I chose the Freestyle root and biologic valve. With this I am able to receive the TAVR hopefully in 15-20 years.
Robert Miller There are a lot of comments about this on this forum. At around 50 you are at an age where it's hard ... Read more
Robert Miller There are a lot of comments about this on this forum. At around 50 you are at an age where it's hard to make a decision one way or the other. A tissue valve will last you about 7-15 years. Then you will need a replacement which usually can be done without opening your chest, i.e. a lot easier. But then you might need another open heart surgery unless there are some significant advances in heart surgery. Tough decision. I decided for a mechanical valve but fortunately, the surgeon was able to do a repair rather than a replacement.
Sue Maize I chose the Ross procedure like Darrell—less common and not all surgeons will do it because it’s ... Read more
Sue Maize I chose the Ross procedure like Darrell—less common and not all surgeons will do it because it’s success depends on the surgeon doing it regularly with considerable volume (at least 75), and at a hospital considered a Ross centre of excellence. It was not the initial option presented to me, I found out about it through this website, but it may be the best option considering my heart physiology and general health. There is a whole section about it among the resources links. You will make the best decision you can as Rita said, but it’s important to know all your options upfront and then do your own research. Post any questions you have about any of your options and you’ll be sure to get lots of feedback—this is a very well informed community! Good luck! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Tammy McDonald Thanks so much everyone, very helpful but still unsure. Wish it was a clear option, is it right that ... Read more
Tammy McDonald Thanks so much everyone, very helpful but still unsure. Wish it was a clear option, is it right that On-X only requires a very mild dose of Warfarin? 1.5? I think he is swaying towards a biological valve. I haven’t read anyone posting really negative reviews about Warfarin but research shows it’s not an ideal scenario. We also don’t have any family or support in the country so I’m so grateful to read posts on this group. 🥰
Robert Miller Last minute I decided for a tissue valve if a replacement was in order. Fortunately, it could be repa ... Read more
Robert Miller Last minute I decided for a tissue valve if a replacement was in order. Fortunately, it could be repaired (again). This is kind of a hard decision at the age of 50. I don't think Warfarin is as bad as people make it. I am on a blood thinner and it does take longer for bleeding to stop and you do bruise more. But it's easily manageable. With Warfarin, you have to check your levels periodically. But unless you do some risky work or sports that are prone to bleeding, I think you are fine. With a mechanical valve you do have the clicking but from all I hear, your brain will phase it out after some time.
I am from: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I’ve enjoyed reading these blogs and stories and trying to get some insight for my husband and I, that comes from patients rather than websites. ...Read more
I’ve enjoyed reading these blogs and stories and trying to get some insight for my husband and I, that comes from patients rather than websites.
He has a bicuspid valve that needs replacing as well at the aortic tube/arch which is severely dialated. This is likely to be done in the next month. He is 49 and active, mountain biker, runner, snowboarder, outdoorsy person. We still don’t know whether to go for a mechanical or biological valve and understand it’s a personal decision, one surgery but blood thinners for life or pigs valve and have a replacement hanging over us in the future, although that one could possibly be done by TAVI.
How are people finding the blood thinner medication, Warfarin? How did you guys make your decision on which valve to choose.
Any advice would be much appreciated, at this rate we will be flipping a coin.
Thank you
Being old with thin skin and a tinkerer, every little scrape from every little project always left me with seriously bleeders.