Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Aortic Valve Replacement
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Aortic Valve Replacement
by Nat__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Nat on February 13, 1999 at 14:03:12:
In Reply to: Re: Aortic Valve Replacement posted by Susan on February 12, 1999 at 22:52:12:
: : I've heard that tissue valves have a limited
lifespan (the range I'd heard was 10-15 years). But I never found out, at
the end of that time do you replace it, or does the patient die? If it
does get replaced (as your comment seems to suggest), how many times
can it be replaced?
There's a lot of progress happening out there, and 8 or 10 years is
relatively a long time. Let's hope that better solutions emerge over
the next decade or so. Some of the stem cell research that was making
headlines a month or two ago might make it possible to generate heart
valves with a patient's own genome, maybe this would overcome the
problem with the tissue valves.
Thanks, Will
Hi Will, I don't know how many people out there have had good luck with the tissue valves, but I do know of several on the various sites who have had to have repeat surgery. Yes, they can do repeat surgeries. I'm not sure if they will replace a tissue valve with a tissue valve at this time though--would probably depend on the age of the patient. I think one can stand just so many heart surgeries and the mechanical valve is supposed to last basically a lifetime. You are right about the technology though--who knows what could be available in 10 years. I guess I'm just a chicken though and was more afraid that it would be 2 instead of 10 when my next time came, and would rather deal with the coumadin! Hope whatever choice your dad makes, he will be fine and patched up for a long, long time! Susan
I've read several posts from patients w/ mechanical valves that can't wait to have them replaced with tissue valves. They say the clicking drives them nuts - especially at when trying to sleep & even disturbs spouses. Hard to believe they'd want surgery again to replace an otherwise working valve. That's a rather drastic measure. Seems like either looking forward to eternal clicking or potential future surgery could be stressful.
My husband is facing a similar decision. We haven't gotten past square one yet. Only recently got the diagnosis. Haven't been able to post our questions yet since by the time I can get on WWW questions are closed for the day.
We wish you much luck.
In Reply to: Re: Aortic Valve Replacement posted by Susan on February 12, 1999 at 22:52:12:
: : I've heard that tissue valves have a limited
lifespan (the range I'd heard was 10-15 years). But I never found out, at
the end of that time do you replace it, or does the patient die? If it
does get replaced (as your comment seems to suggest), how many times
can it be replaced?
There's a lot of progress happening out there, and 8 or 10 years is
relatively a long time. Let's hope that better solutions emerge over
the next decade or so. Some of the stem cell research that was making
headlines a month or two ago might make it possible to generate heart
valves with a patient's own genome, maybe this would overcome the
problem with the tissue valves.
Thanks, Will
Hi Will, I don't know how many people out there have had good luck with the tissue valves, but I do know of several on the various sites who have had to have repeat surgery. Yes, they can do repeat surgeries. I'm not sure if they will replace a tissue valve with a tissue valve at this time though--would probably depend on the age of the patient. I think one can stand just so many heart surgeries and the mechanical valve is supposed to last basically a lifetime. You are right about the technology though--who knows what could be available in 10 years. I guess I'm just a chicken though and was more afraid that it would be 2 instead of 10 when my next time came, and would rather deal with the coumadin! Hope whatever choice your dad makes, he will be fine and patched up for a long, long time! Susan
I've read several posts from patients w/ mechanical valves that can't wait to have them replaced with tissue valves. They say the clicking drives them nuts - especially at when trying to sleep & even disturbs spouses. Hard to believe they'd want surgery again to replace an otherwise working valve. That's a rather drastic measure. Seems like either looking forward to eternal clicking or potential future surgery could be stressful.
My husband is facing a similar decision. We haven't gotten past square one yet. Only recently got the diagnosis. Haven't been able to post our questions yet since by the time I can get on WWW questions are closed for the day.
We wish you much luck.
