Valerie's Posts

Sorry you are having another surgery so soon. That is one of my fears-my tissue valve wearing out early.. I had a bovine valve placed just over a year ago. I did consider the On-X valve, but decided against Coumadin. I know there are many people on this site with an On-X valve, so hopefully they will post some info for you.

Hi Valerie. I just had an On-X BAV replacement in April. Clipping away, and a little quieter I've been told than some of the other mechanical options. INR has been a little difficult, but 5 to 6 weeks in, looking good. At a higher level of blood-thinners to start and then I'll move down in INR range in about 2 months. Happy with my choice overall. Wish you the best and a safe journey.

I am 37, so home monitoring has come up several times. You have to be considered "chronic" (have INR tests for 3 months) before insurance will kick in to help I heard. We are waiting until then to discuss more. I plan to travel and want to not lead a life scheduled around lab tests constantly, but the machines can be expensive too. Either way, for now I am content to get my finger pokes and vial draws at the clinic by our home. At first it was overwhelming with near-daily draws, but I am scheduled only a few times to once a week now.

Hi Valerie, may I ask how old you are ? I just had an edwards bovine prosthetic valve done a week ago. I am 65 and in good shape and chose being able to continue living my lifestyle as it was, rather than a life on warfarin. I made the decision knowing fair well that I may need a second AVR and so far glad I did.I had read a lot of stories of people having second and even third operations and found an excellent article that said because of the incredible surgery recniques that a second operation was no longer the risk it used to be and suggested no more danger to repeat operations than a life on warfarin. Sorry for the ramble but think positive and bug hugs coming your way 😀

My AVR was done at Cleveland Clinic 09-2014, and my biscuspid bovine valve is leaking also. It came as quite a shock, so I am in the waiting mode now, as it will be replaced doing the TAVR procedure. My cardiologist is keeping a close watch, echo's every 3 months, and when it is time, I will have it done at the Riverside McConnell Heart Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. I hope all goes well with your second replacement. Prayers.