PIG OR MECHANICAL VALVE?

My 15 yr old son is scheduled for open heart surgery in 4 weeks. If his valve can be repared, it will be. If  it can't, it will be replaced. My son is very active and plays a lot of sports.
I can see him in college, not taking his coumadin, playing sports, and drinking like most kids. I'm afraid of mechanical valve for him for these reasons.
I have 2 questions.
Would a pigs valve be better for my son than a mechanical one if a repair is not possible?
How long does a repair last?
Thank You

[kenkeith]

The usual recommendation for a younger person is the mechanical valve. Requires coumadin for the life ot the valve, and there is a clicking sound that may or may not be somewhat annoying.

A pig or bovine valve lasts for about 10 years...the mechanical much longer and possible for the life of the recipient.

[kellie838]

My father had a pig valve put in at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MI almost to date 4 years ago. The pig valve quit working properly and we are currently back at the clinic to have a mechanical valve put in. My dad is 62 years old and open heart surgery is major for anybody. I would never recommend a pig valve to anyone. Dads is a mosaic Pig valve.

[NTB]

fwiw, there are new oral anticoagulant drugs on the way to replace coumadin, maybe in a few years

[Shelster56]

Hi there,

Another thought to keep in mind is that every time you redo an open heart surgery it is more problematic. I had an aortic valve repair at 19.  When the valve was replaced at 42 the surgeon had a tough time because of scar tissue from the first operation.  Now I may be looking at my third OHS because of an ascending aortic aneurysm and it will be quite risky because of the scar tissue.

At his age, even if the pig valve lasts 20 years he might need several redos. I've had my mechanical and been on coumadin for 10 years now without a problem.  The question of whether or not you can drink while on coumadin is debatable - patients are told not to, but some drink moderately without any problem.  

I'm not an athletic teenage boy but frankly, I'd go with the mechanical and keep the number of redo operations down.  You will, however, have to drill into his head the importance of taking his coumadin at roughly the same time every day and getting his blood tested when told. Those are vitally important.

As mentioned, I had my first surgery at 19 so I can relate to what you're going through. The good news is that at such a young age he should bounce back quickly. Best of luck to you and your son.  

[mom6346]

In October 2008, my son had a aortic mechanical valve put in at age 31years. (born with a heart murmur)  He is not atheletic but has a very demanding job in the commercial diving business which keeps him strong. The surgery went well, 4th day he went home. He is now on coumadin and other pills ( 5 pills)  He sets an alarm on his phone, that he carries with him for business, for 9pm to take his coumadin. The only thing I am concerned about is when he is away on jobs, sometimes for weeks, divers like to have beer sometimes in the evening. We mention not to have more than two but sometimes it exceeds that when he is away. Worry yes, a lot . Thats one down side of coumadin.  He has choices though, and I hope he makes the right one. For the sake of his wife,daughter, 2 years and a girl to be born in Dec 2009.

[kwokJingLau]

My father  was in is late 30's when he had a pig valve replacement ( don't know the name of the brand) , but it lasted 30 years ( yes) without coumadin.  I guess people have different experiences, but generally saying, if you can avoid the Coumadin and considering your son is only 15, I would ask a doctor if this may make him a good candidate for pig valve replacement, if they  cannot repair his original valve.

From our experiences, my father and his cardiologist admits that this drug has too many side effects and reduced his quality of life.  This did not show up until about 9 years into taking this drug. ie. falling and internal bleed causing sub dermal hemotoma.  Hopefully they come out with a better one.

[david48]

I too had my aortic valve replaced at age 31.
I was a drinker and a drug addict up until 18 months ago.
I am now 49 years old and thank God I am still (ticking).
My protime/inr is always changing still after not drinking
and drugging. All I can say is when my levels are real high'
I do like Popeye,(where's me spinich).
I did that once or twice when the cut that was added to the drugs sent my levels skyrocketing.
The alcohol wears off alot sooner, Although I don't recomend either.
The Human body can take alot of abuse.
I hope this will bring some peace to your worries as I no I have put my loved ones thru hell with no conern for myself or the outcome of my actions.
And Oh did I metion I have no HEALTHCARE

[grendslori]

I can't comment on the valve replacement, however, There is a possibilty that contact sports may be out of the question if he is on blood thinners; you need to ask his doctor about that.

[J5262]

I had a mechical valve replacement in 2005, which were suppose to last for a lifetime. However, in July of last year, my valve became closed with scar tissue and a blood clot, I died on the way to the hospital. The team of 4 heart surgeons, brought revived me, yet they did not want to operate on me at the time. My heart were so week, they're only optiion were to send me home after my 2 week stay. But I had to give myself 2 injections of blood thinner for 2 weeks straight. Then I had surgery again. This time the heart surgeon replaced the mechcial valve with a pig valve. Yet, after this second surgery, it left me not being able to work. Both surgeries are extremely hard and took long recoveries, especially for me. I were only 42 in 2005...

[ed34]

I don't really think there is any other answer than mechanical valve. To go through traumatic surgery every few years in your life (risk) compared to one operation is an obvious to me. If in a few years new medication is released to replace coumadin, then great. If in a few years new mechanical valves are released which are much superior, then great again. Until then, I would choose the mechanical for my kids every time.