Aortic Valve Replacement

  In 1990 I underwent successful aortic valve replacement, receiving a aortic
  homograph.  It has now begun to fail and will require replacement in a year
  to a year and a half.  I heard about an aortic replacement done in New York
  City on a 60 year old man.  I believe it was called a aortic tissue replacement.
  I am 59 and very active, as he was.  I work 10
  to 12 hour days, operating a cattle ranch.  A mechanical valve with
  anticoagulatants is not an option.  Is there another operation using tissue?
  If so, what is it"  Where is it performed?  I would appreciate any information
  on this procedure.
  Rick

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

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Dear Rick,
Thank you for your question. There are several tissue valve options.  I don't know which you are referring to in specific.  The standard options are: homograft (from cadaver), Carpentier-Edwards (cow tissue), stentless aortic valve from St. Jude's (also called the Toronto valve) and the Ross procedure that transplants the patients own pulmonic valve to the position of the aortic valve and places a new valve in the pulmonic position. All are similar with pro's and con's to each.  The best one for you is up to you and your doctor.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.