Aortic valve operation

  
  For 5 jears ago the saved my life by operating me a.s.a.p.from a aneurisma
  from the aortic. Strange, i was always feeling well, and now i still feel well.At the
  momant i'm having a artificiat aortic valve with a craaft (st.Jude). I.m 44
  years old now and I'm wondering if it is'nt better for me to change the valve
  in a real human valve so i don't need any anticoagulant. I'm healty and i don't smoke or drink
  alcohol.I'm very happy to be alive and i'm greatful the saved my life but I read
  a lot about human donorvalve's, Is this a strange question or is this possible.
  Thank you for your time, i.m looking forward to hear your opinian.

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Dear  Theo,
Thank you for your question.  There are good points and bad points to both the mechanical valve and the tissue valves.  The bad point of the mechanical valve is the long term anticoagulation.  The good point is that it lasts a long time.  The good point about the tissue valve is that no anticoagulation is needed but they only last 8-12 years.  
In your case I would not recommend changing the valve (unless you only plan on living another 8-12 years).  Not only would you have to have another surgery to change the valve to a tissue valve you would have to have an additional 2 or 3 repeat surgeries when the tissue valve wore out.  Hope this helps.
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