Defective aortic mechanical valve

[Nancyann52]

My husband had a mechanical valve. put in 09-15-2010 do to damage to his aortic valve. He has not been doing good at all . he started having problems about 2 weeks after surgery. He then had a stroke in Dec. he just got out of the hospital after a week of tests. The valve is not working properly. It has to be replaced. It will be done Nov. 2 . We are not happy this has to be done , but have gone to a different hospital and feel confidant in there team of doctors.Is this normal? Or should I ask does this happen very often. I feel that his suffering over the past year and the replacement .is horrible.Could this have been avoided?

[Nancyann52]

we have been told that the valve is not opening and closing properly

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the problems that your husband is having.  It is possible that the valve was not the right size or the sutures were not done properly?  But normally the mechanical valve is suppose to last a lifetime!  I is no fun going for OHS and absolutely NO fun to do it twice in a liftetime!

All the best for the upcoming surgery.  I am sure that the Surgeon will be able to report back to you why the 1st valve op was unsuccessful.

[jimbeau]

It is difficult to know why his replacement valve is not working properly. I would guess that it is uncommon for an implanted valve to not work properly. Perhaps after they remove the valve they can determine why it has not been working properly. Replacement valves can and do work well and mechanical valves can last a long time. Good luck on the re-replacement.