Aorta Valve

[Terry L.]

I am 50 years old, 6 years ago I had my aortic valve replaced with a St. Jude valve.  I take coumadin daily which has been a problem since I am a runner.  During my last doctor visit he did a sonic cardiogram because he said he heard leaking of the valve with his stethescope.  The test showed that it was leaking, my doctor has been out of town all week so I haven't gotten the results from his or his suggestion.  HOW can a valve leak if it was supposed to last me a lifetime?  If I need another surgery should I go to a different surgeon?  Was this caused by surgeon error or how can this happen?  What are my options and what should I look for if they decide it does not warrant surgery?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Unfortunately even mechanical valves can fail.  This can happen in a variety of different ways such as leaking around the valve.  In some cases nothing needs to be done but in others repeat surgery is necessary.  This far out from surgery it is unlikely due to surgical technique.

[Susan]

Hi Terry!  I am a very active, young 51 year old who had a St. Judes put in about 7 months ago.  I am curious why the coumadin is a problem because of being a runner.  I do lots of different types of exercise, some aerobic (lots of walking), some mild weight lifting, sit-ups, tennis, etc.  My dosage does fluctuate a bit, but never thought of all of this as a problem.  I also have heard that all mechanical valves have some leakage because of how they have to be sewn in.  I guess the issue would be how much and does the amount increase over time.  Will be interested in the doctor's comment as well as you!  Thanks, Susan

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Coumadin is more of a problem in persons involved in contact sports.  Of course given the climate of some of today's races running may very well be considered a contact sport!

[Hank Eyring]

Hello There Terry,

I am writing you to let you know about a list that myself and several other Aortic Valve Replacement patients have created.

I am a 33 year old male who had aortic valve replacement surgery in April of 1999.  I often had questions about stuff like what do other people’s spouses think about their valves clicking, to how do the kids deal with Dad having major surgery.  Also issues about what is involved in approaching surgery, going through surgery and recovering from surgery. We also discuss the use of coumadin since most of us have to take it for the rest of our lives.

If you would like to join a mailing list along with folks who have been through this kind of stuff before and are facing it in the future, just go to the following URL and sign up.

http://frontpage.inficad.com/~hanky/heart.htm

You will find much help with this list and we all learn from each other.

Hope you can join us,

Hank Eyring

[noel]

Dear Hank Eyring: Please put me on the mailing list for more info on valve replacement. I may be having mine replaced in the next month. I'm a 43 year old male with wife and 12 & 10 year old boys and we are a little nervous. E-mail me at: ***@****

Thank you
Noel

[brian]

Hank,
put me on the list please.
toadhall&netins.net

[Joe Hatmaker]

To day in the Indianapolis paper there is a recall of St Jude Heart valves. They say only the ones on the shelf are on the recall.  They say that the leakage seems infrequent and occurs slowly,with out creating a emergency situation.  My valve was installed in 1/28/93  Product #769176 Ser#31a-101 Can you tell me if I should be concerned about this valve. And what is the future to bring. Will this valve need to be replaced. I am 46 yrs of age now.    I see my surgen every june and am planning on asking him about this. He is Dr. John Brown of Indiana University Hospital. I woul appreciate and info I can get.

Joe Hatmaker
1842 Remington Dr.
Indianapolis Ind.
46227
Ph. 317-882-6049
E-Mail ***@****