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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Aorta Valve Replacement
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Aorta Valve Replacement
by Harvey Horton, Jan 25, 2000 12:00AM
I have read many things about valves but have not heard much about the stentless porcine valve. This is what I have been recomended to have put in. I am 44 years old and have an asending aortic anuerisym. I will be going in the hospital in 2 weeks and I dont know if this is the right decision. I have also heard about a medvac valve called mosaic, does anyone know about this one?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Jan 25, 2000 12:00AM
The key to any successful cardiac surgery is the experience of your surgeon and their preference for valves ( bioprosthetic vs. mechanical ) or repairs ( the Ross or David procedure ) in your case.
The stentless valve has far more experience in Canada and is used less extensively in the U.S. You may want to discuss specifically with your surgeon their experience, pump times and long term efficacy with this particular valve. It is likely that you will need a combined procedure and a homograft may be another option to consider.
If you would like additional information or want a second opinion, that can be arranged through the number listed below.
Best of luck.
The stentless valve has far more experience in Canada and is used less extensively in the U.S. You may want to discuss specifically with your surgeon their experience, pump times and long term efficacy with this particular valve. It is likely that you will need a combined procedure and a homograft may be another option to consider.
If you would like additional information or want a second opinion, that can be arranged through the number listed below.
Best of luck.
I have downloaded some information about the porcine stentless valve and talked with 5 surgeons, two of which use it practically exclusively when they cannot use the Ross procedure.
The other three use the bovine pericardial valve when not using the mechanical valve and only do a few Ross, mostly in children.
The Clinical trials in Canada and Europe seem very favorable over 8 years which is probably why the FDA approved it here. But the installed base here in the US is still small and there are no long term numbers here yet. It really is up to
If you have not already tried it, and if you want further information you can find some by using a search engine and typing in 'porcine stentless valve'.
It sure looks highly efficient but the surgery and by pass time
is longer than the bovine pericardial implant.
Your surgeon will not offer much if any choice since they choose
the valves they are most proficient with.
This is what I have learned through experience: You must have the very best surgeon your insurance will let you go to. If at all possible, I highly recommend the Cleveland Clinic. They have the best surgeons. I had my mitral valve repair there with Dr. Cosgrove. The more skilled your surgeon, the less chance of complications. I was never asked what kind of valve I preferred in case of a replacement, but told to trust that Dr. Cosgrove would make the very best decision for me. If you want a second opinion, please go to the Clinic. Just my two cents worth.
Thank you.
Noticed you are seeking info about porcine stentless valve:
Try:
http://www.ccf.org/heartcenter/physinfo/cconsult/fall95/
valves.htm
A statement comparing this valve may be of interest to you.
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shannon
I'm not a doctor, but what I've been told is that you should have regular checks by a cardiologist, along with regular echocardiograms (annual). I have a valve ring and a PFO patch,a and have been told by my doc to plan on coming in to see him once a year, once I pass the one-year mark for surgery (next month!).
However, if you are having cardiac symptoms of any kind, such as shortness of breath, easily fatiguing, weird rhythms, etc., you should make an appointment to see the cardiologist relatively soon.
Hope this helps. My option, if the docs were unable to fix my valve, was a mechanical, and I was told to expect it to last a long time -- like 15 to 20 years, or even my lifetime (I'm 45).
take care.
shannon
Thanks for posting your experiences for the rest of us. Have you completely recovered from the mini stroke?
After considerable reading,investigation and consideration I have asked for the homograft also. I am scheduled for surgery at the CCF on 2/29. Can you tell what a "HUST LOPRESSOR"
Thanks,
Steve