Aortic Root/Valve Replacement....Mechanical Valve Noises

[Robert J. Gleason]

On November 4th, I had aortic root/valve replacement at Columbia Pres Hospital in NYC (Eric Rose)  While it has been a little tough getting regulated with the correct dosage of coumadin (my INR range now is 2.0 to 3.5) the clicking or thumping of my St Judes Valve is driving me crazy.

I know I should be thankful for my new lease on life and I am, but I would welcme any comments from anyone who may be experiencing the same.  I do find positions that minimize this, but being a restless sleeper I am sure to awake each night because of this.  Does this thumping/clicking reduce over time?  Or do I just have to get used to it?

Any help/comments are appreciated.

[Jamesa Sells]

I recently heard on NBC nightly news (5-18-00) that there is a new procedure for repair of the Mitral Valve.  It is done with a 3 inch incision in the side and no need for Coumadin.  I have the St. Jude plastic valve. Can that be removed and this new procedure done.

[Henry Robison]

I had a quintuple (5) bypass April 20, 1999.  The
majority of build-up in my arteries occurred over
only 8-9 months from July (when I had an angioplasy)
in one artery) to April.  I was told that this type
of rapid build up does occur in some patients, but
was not told much about why this may have triggered in
my system.  I have never had high blood pressure, however,
heart problem do occur in my family.  I am 6' 3" and
weigh 210 lbs ( I weighed approx. 225 lbs at the time
of my angioplas).

Also, it was discovered that I have a bicuspid aortic
valve, rather than a tricuspid.  I was told that at
some point in my future this valve would need to be
replaced. Why wasn't it replaced during my quintuple
by-pass surgery?

[Walter Moore]

I have had a St. Jude valve for the last five years, replacing the aortic valve.  The noise has subsided over the years, but certainly the difference it made in my life has been worth all the noise.  Do not mind the coumadin regulation, when I do not have to consider a replacement.

[Laura Green]

I have a St. Jude Mitral Valve.  I had it exactly a year!  I still hear it constantly and I am still having problems.  I get real scared when I don't hear it and at times it is just too
loud.  My children who are 9,12 say it sounds like a ticking time bomb.  But at those times I get deepressed I remember if it wasn't for this mechanical device I would not be here to hear the ticking!  Thank God!   Laura

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Robert,

I suppose an alternative way of looking at it would be that it is a comforting sound knowing that everything is working well.  Most patients that I have talked with notice the clicking less over time.

[Sandy]

Robert, my husband just had the same operation in October.  He feels just as you do about the clicking.  I have talked to others that have had it now for 2 or more years, and they say that you do get used to it.  After that you don't really notice it as much.  We hope that is the case also.

[Jamesa Sells]

I had a mitral valve replacement Sept 1996 and pacemaker Nov. 1996.  I thought I would never get used to the clicking, it would wake me at night.  My Grandkids love to listen for it.  And sometimes when in the Drs. office he hears it as he enters the room but I guess I am used to it because I don't hear it when other people do.  I've just come to the conclusion that if I hear it I am still alive.  I even try to listen for it when I go to bed at night.  You'll get used to it.  It's scary at first.