Options relating to Aortic Valve Replacement

What are the current options relating ot Aortic Valve Replacement and what are the respective expected life of the replacements?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Jim,

Thank you for your question. There are two main options for aortic valve replacement: mechanical and tissue.  Examples of mechanical valves are St.Jude, Star-Edwards and Medtronic-Hall.  The advantage of the mechanical valve is its long life (usually longer than the person receiving it).  The disadvantage is the need for life-long coumadin.  Tissue valves are made from pig or cow hearts and last about 5- 10 years.  The main advantage is not having to take coumadin.  Aortic homografts are from cadavers and also do not require anticoagulation and may last longer than other types of tissue valves.  No one really knows how long but it is probably more than 10 years.  The chief disadvantage of the homograft is availability.

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