AOR

Posted By Anonymous2399 on December 22, 1998 at 15:35:44:







I am a 29-year woman who has an artificial aortic heart valve.  This is the second artificial aortic valve that I have had - the first was a tissue valve, which was damaged by endocarditis, and I now have a mechanical valve for which I have to take warfarin.  I am trying to find out information about whether there are alternative valves available that would enable me to come off warfarin as I am increasingly worried about the long term effects of warfarin - I have particular fears about haemorrhage or stroke.  I understand that there is research into tissue engineering that might eventually enable surgeons to build new valves from patient's own cells, but am finding it very hard to find out any information about this procedure.  Is it likely that this will be available in the future?  I would also really like to know if my fears about long term warfarin use are justified. I would be very grateful for any help you can give me on this subject, as it has become a subject of great concern for me.
I posted this on 12/12/98, but it has since disappeared from your list of questions.