Dr's Point of view on Valve Selection

[KristyW]

Here are 2 articles that I ran across this morning. They are roundtable discussions among several cardio-thoracic surgeons.

This discussion is about the valve choice itself with respect to life expectancy.

Life Expectancy and Valve Selection Criteria (http://www.onevalveforlife.com/documents/1of3.pdf)

This discussion is about Valve Choice with regards to "Hemodynamics"


Hemodynamic Funcion in Valve Selection (http://www.onevalveforlife.com/documents/3of3.pdf)

I hope these articles are of some help to our members

[srwieland]

Thanks, Kristy, for the very valuable info.

[Marty]

Thanks Kristy for finding and publishing this round table discussion. I did not question my surgeon prior to my operation,
mitral valve replacement four years ago. He said the decision to go with a St. Jude mechanical, if he could not do a repair was made after a long and involved discussion with the ten heart surgeons at our hospital. This "roundtable" helps me understand how they arrived at their decision. I was 72 at the time of surgery and would not look forward to more surgery at a more advanced age. Senator Helms had mitral valve replacement at age 70 with a Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial and it needed to be replaced recently when he was 80. The Coumadin can be a problem but in my case once I found my dose ,18.5 mg/week its been on autopilot. I use my coaguchek every 3 or 4 weeks and stay right around INR 3.5

[ALCapshaw]

GREAT FIND KRISTY !

LOTS of good information for all valve patients in those transcripts from the St. Jude Medical sponsored Perspectives in Valve Surgery Symposium.

There is a third transcript that is of special interest to Mechlanical Valve recipients and / or anyone on Coumadin, specifically:

o Anticoagulation -- Use, Management, and Effect on Quality of Life

along with the two articles you cited

o Life Expectancy and Valve Selection Criteria

o The Importance of Hemodynamic Function in Valve Selection

Related Publications include:

o German Experience with Lower Intensity Anticoagulation (GELIA) Study Results

o ACC / AHA Guidelines

o Temporary Discontinuation of Anticoagulation Guidelines

These can all be found on the St. Jude Medical website at
www.OneValveForLife.com under either Patients or Related Articles

'AL'

[ALCapshaw]

Even more detailed information on Valve Selection Criteria can be found at www.OneValveForLife.com under PHYSICIANS. Topics include Valve Durability, Hemodynamics, Anti-Coagulation, Operative Risks, and Life Expectancy.

What a GREAT Web Site !!

'AL'