How old when you had an AVR

[Joe Parker]

I am a newbie so here is the rundown, I am 40 y/o healthy male, three kids, on wife and and going to have my aortic valve replaced in January '04. I've been reading this forum and other and have not really encountered anyone who has had this procedure done at my age and what they chose and why.
I am going to have my surgery done at Mt. Diablo hospital in Concord, CA by DR. Rolf Sommerhaug considered one of the best in the area. He and my cardiologist have told me to go with the St. Jude valve but I am also leaning towards a tissue valve. I am obviously concerned about coumadin and stroke risk and some bleeding. I am an avid fisherman and on a good day i am cut up and stuff. I could get some kevlar gloves for my hands however. I also like to bike ride and have had to pass up the last two 100 mile rides around Lake Tahoe mostly since I don't think I am training as well as I used to. I am also planning of taking my boys backpacking starting next year.
Mostly I am worried about the risk of strokes and bruises go away. Overall I am healthy and have no family heart disease. In fact my mother and father and uncles and aunts are big smokers and drinkers and many in their 80's and have not had a heart attack yet. I don't do those sort of things however. OK I like a good beer once and a while.
So any 40 year olds who have had this done or had it done when they were about 40 and what did you put in and how are you doing?
Joe Parker
Dad2Three@aol.com

[Nancy]

Hi Joe-

Just wanted to welcome you to the site. It's a great place with lots of wonderful people.

There are several folks about your age and some even younger who have had or are going to have this surgery. And there are enough bike enthusiasts to start a bike cross-country marathon. They'll be along soon to lend a hand.

My husband was in his forties when he had his first valve implant. He had a mechanical aortic valve put in. That valve is still in place. He had many, many years of good health with that valve. In later years, he's had to have mitral valve surgery, and some other things. He had rheumatic fever as a teenager. He's 72 years old now.

He's been on Coumadin since that first valve was put in, going on 26 years. No problems in major bleeding that can be attributed to Coumadin, in all those years.

Valve choice is one of the hotly debated topics on this site. You'll get lots of feedback.

Spend a lot of time reading as many of the posts as you can, using the option of going back longer than the 30 days that is standard. There's a pop-down menu that allows you to go back a long ways.

It's hard reading at first, because it can be scary, but it is the very best thing you can do. Educating yourself is very important.

Best wishes, and hope to see you here often.

[KristyW]

Joe,

My name is Kristy. I am currently 41 and I had my AVR done a month before my 39th birthday. My husband, surgeon and I chose the St. Jude's bi-leaflet mechanical valve mostly because I was much more afraid of another surgery than I was of warfarin/coumadin.

A place for you to check on ages and decisions is in the personal stories section of the website

Personal Stories (http://www.valvereplacement.com/stories/index.html)

Many of us have told our ages and our choices in these stories. It's a great resource.

[Ross]

Hello Joe and welcome to the forum

I had my first heart surgery when I was 33 which was an emergency repair of a dissecting, then rupturing aortic aneurysm. The surgeon I had then, repaired my valve as best he could because he really didn't hold any hope of me surviving the surgery. I was nearly dead before they got to me. Samething happened to John Ritter and as you know, he is no longer with us.

That repair lasted 7 years and I had to have my valve replaced in July 2002. At 40 years old! I went with a mechanical St. Jude valve because I have no desire to have to go through this surgery again if it can be helped. With the mechanical valve, I hope to make the rest of my life without another surgery.

Coumadin is not the evil monster that it's made out to be. I think the most bothersome thing is having to have your INR checked frequently, but outside of that, I work on cars and cut myself silly all the time. It takes a little longer for the bleeding to stop, but in the year and 3 months that I've been on it, have had no major events to tell you about. Most everyone else with mechanicals here will tell you the samething.

Valve choice is a personal thing and is hard to really decide upon, but it's something you should think through and discuss with your surgeon. Sometimes what you want and what you get are 2 different things. Sometimes there are compatibility or biological issues that won't allow the first choice.

Being young, you'll have a tendency to wear a tissue valve out sooner then someone much older then yourself. The younger bodies calcify the valves sooner.

I encourage you to read around the forum and threads and to ask any questions that you may have. We have all been there, done that, and speak from experience of having the surgery. Of course, we have a few in the "Waiting Room" and your host Steve is keeping it well stocked with fun things to do and magazines to read. You might even check with him and see if they ever got the kitchen straightened out yet. hehe

[Les]

Hi Joe and Welcome!
I contracted Bacterial Endocarditis just after turning 40 and had my AV replaced. Had that one replaced 'Out of Warranty" when I was 42. Am now 50, and "clicking" quite nicely...

[Creed3]

Hi Joe,
Welcome to this wonderful site. I had my aortic valve replaced and a dissection/aneurysm repaired when I was 34 years old. I went with a mechanical valve. I had no desire to go throught surgery again. I have found coumadin to be a non-issue. It really isn't the monster that others make it out to be. My advice to you would be do a lot of research on valve selection and talk with your surgeon/cardio. Your doctor will be able to steer you in the right direction. Also remember that you may end up choosing a certain type of valve, but when the surgeon gets in there and takes a look at what is going on, you may end up with something else. There is no right or wrong choice here, just what is best for you. Good luck with everything and keep us informed on how you are doing.

Take Care!
Gail

[Tom]

Hi Joe,
I had my aortic valve replaced at age 45, and had a tissue valve (homograft). My surgery was at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I am an avid skier and mountain biker and also wanted to avoid coumadin. I am happy with my choice. Good luck to you.

[Gnusgal]

I had my AVR at age 25 (16 months ago). Went with the St. Jude's mechanical valve, mostly because the surgeon didn't give me a choice. I think I am one of the few on this forum who has encountered more than one problem because of the coumadin, but it none were directly due to the coumadin. One problem was when I had an ovarian cyst burst (don't think you'll have that problem) and the other was just recently because of a sinus infection. I think that coumadin, for the most part, causes few problems in more "normal" patients, but I have never been one to do things the easy way...

Good luck in your decision!

[rajeevg]

Joe

I am 43, I had my surgery six months back. Mu surgeon recommended St Jude mech valve as I didnot want a repeat surgery. I had no symptoms, active work life. I had Rhuematic Heart Disease at Age 5, which damaged my valve.

I was quite worried before operation. I am very happy that I took this decision. I feel more energetic, I have returned to my active work life, resumed my 1 hour walk.

Good Luck for your surgery.

[Christine]

Hi Joe and welcome.. I'm 36 and had my AVR done a year and 4 months ago.. (man time flies) - some where in my life I developed bacterial endocarditist which inturn weakened my bicuspid... my problem is that I had fear of doctors and stopped going to a cardio way back when, when I was healthy (now i'm an avid spokesman for seeing the doc).. my regular exams came out fine through out the years though, so it got missed.. by the time I was diagnosed, I developed heart failure, I had no choice but have a mechanical valve put in.. i'm great now.. since i moved from Dallas to Pennsylvania, my coumadin has been a pain lately, too high, than too low, testing every week for months now.. but i think it has more to do with my funky work hours which inturn keep it hard to eat consitantly.. but i'm getting there.. one of these days, i'll find a 8-5 job again and get some balance back in my life.. until then, I've gotten to know the lab techs by name and which ones can find my veins... :D

christine

[Jan]

Hi Joe

Welcome to VR.Com

I had my AVR in Jan 2002 at age 47

I have a mechanical valve,

Being in the UK we get free medical treatment so i was never really given a choice, but saying that I would have chosen a mechanical valve as I think one surgery is enough for anyone, and hopefully my valve will last for a long time I have no problems with coumadin, it is not such a big deal,

read the past posts and hopefully they will help you reach a decision,

good luck and remember the waiting is the worst

keep smiling

Jan

[EVELYN]

Hello Joe

I'm Evelyn, whose husband, Tyce, had avr surgery at 59. We went with the mechanial and have had no problems since. Hope this helps.

Evelyn

[Rain]

Hey Joe,

I was 39 years old when my valve was replaced. I ended up with a mechanical valve. My cardio and my surgeon both convinced me that my heart would remain in atrial fib for life and I would have to be on coumadin forever anyway.... :( However... it is now 3 ½ years later and I am doing well. The coumadin is a pain in the a$$!! I hate to complain about it too much here, I wouldn’t want anyone to make a valve decision based on my problems. But even the coumadin/INR has been pretty stable for the last year or so. I still do all the things I did before I started taking it, I still eat a LOT of vegetables... I don’t like most meat. At times my legs are covered with bruises... that’s what I hate more than anything. Grrrrrrrr. I haven’t had a lot of problems with bleeding.. it may bleed a little longer, but not enough to be a problem. BUT......

Now my son is facing heart surgery.... He is a very healthy, very active 20 year old college kid. If the valve needs replaced I believe I will encourage him to go with a tissue valve. First of all... he’s too much like his mother.... I know he’ll keep right on rock climbing, skiing, etc... I think he’s young enough to get through a second surgery with no problems and who knows what kind of things they’ll learn about the heart between now and then.... ?

This time you are in (pre surgery) was absolutely the most difficult of the whole heart surgery for me.

[Simon Gee]

Hi Joe,

I was 39 when I had my aortic valve replaced in 2000. I also have one wife and three kids but I had a congenital defect of my valve and it had to go - no discussion! I talked over the options with my surgeon and eventually decided that the mechanical option was best for me - I've had no reason to doubt that decision since despite the anticoagulation therapy.

Good luck in making your decision,

Simon

[Joe Parker]

Wow, what a positive and informative group of replies I have gotten. Than You so much. I am not worried about bruises and stuff but am wondering about the stroke risk. Anyone have problems? I do know that the way they make the valves, materials etc, the risks are much less now since it is harder for that ol' blood to "stick" around but was curious.
I agree to some extent about one surgery and be done with it. Your never know what your health would be like in 10 or so years when you need another "valve job".
Keep up the replies.
Joe Parker
Dad2three@aol.com

[Ross]

Joe as long as your Coumadin is being dosed correctly and you play your part of having your INR checked frequently, the risk of stroke if very very small, almost non existent.

As for future surgeries--I'll be the first to tell you to avoid it if at all possible. This is one surgery that you really only want to have done one time. After the first, each subsequent time is more and more dangerous. Not to say that it can't be done, because it is everyday, but it's like playing Russian Roulette and it's not worth the risks in my opinion. Even with a mechanical valve, there are no guarantees that you won't require another down the road at some point, but that risk is small. With a tissue valve, it's a sure bet in the future.

[Nancy]

I also want to say that from my husband's experiences, minimizing any additional thoracic surgeries in the future would be in your best interest. My husband has had 5 thoracic surgeries, 3 valves (mechanical) and 2 lungs. The surgeries themselves went off smoothly, and couldn't have been any better and they were all done to save his life, couldn't be avoided, so were a necessity. But the toll they took on Joe's body was serious.

Repeated trauma seems to have a cumulative effect on the body. Each subsequent recovery took longer and longer, and was less and less complete. He has a lot of scar tissue inside now.

Joe Parker (my husband is Joe also), you are so right when you say that you don't know what your health will be 10-20 years down the road.

Perhaps a lot depends on the underlying cause of your heart problem.

I think the choice of valves needs to be assessed very carefully, and discussed at length with the cardiologist and surgeon, especially what might be awaiting down the road.

My husband had rheumatic fever, and that does it's own destruction inside the body. So his case will surely be different than those with some other conditions.

[Gerry Dorrian]

Joe,
This is a great place to for very practical information related to valve replacement. Your doctors are the ultimate experts, of course, but then again they most likely have not been on the receiving end of the open heart experience. Most people here have so you will get alot of very valuable information here.
Tissue or mechanical is the first decision we all face when we are diagnosed. On this site you'll find alot of people who decided to go with mechanical but also a lot who picked tissue. The interesting thing is that almost everyone seems to feel comfortable with the choice they made.
I went with a tissue valve because I was not comfortable with coumadin. I am 49 and decided that I was could handle one more surgery when the time comes.
I don't want to take coumadin but I have had some arhythmia since the surgery and have been forced to take coumadin anyway. The truth is coumadin isn't a big deal. I would rather not be taking it and will be happy when I get to stop. If I don't get at least 15 years out of my tissue valve I'll go mechanical next time and certainly could adjust to having to take it for the rest of my life.

Gerry

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the site. I was 49 when I had my surgery. I have a St Jude's mechanical valve. I was and continue to be extremely active, I boat, fish, ski, snow mobile, hunt. use a chain saw.

Although I didn't have a choice in the valve selection, I am pleased with the one they provided. I have not had any problem managing my Coumadin. I self test and self medicate. I test weekly and can quickly make adjustments to my dose if required.

I must also admit that while I am still extremely active, I no longer have that " Have No Fear" attitude. I am more calculating in my activities, and think a little more cautiously. I think the fact that I am on Coumadin, and that a serious accident could be very life threatening to me if I had serious open wounds is the main reason for this. Of course I could also chalk it up to being a little older and wiser. Naw... Peter Pan is still my hero. I'll never growup!

Good luck with your choice!

Rob

[Ross]

Of course I could also chalk it up to being a little older and wiser. Naw... Peter Pan is still my hero. I'll never growup!

[Ben Smith]

I was 27 when I had my AVR and I chose the Ross Procedure.

I am still very active and pretty much unlike Rob.....I have that Have no fear' attitude..... (Well either no fear or no smarts....lol)

I am very pleased with my choice and have had great reports from my cardio.

Going to the personal stories area will give you more information on each....including some reasons for the choices.

Ben

[Joe Parker]

Chainsaws? Always wanted to learn to juggle them.
Its nice to hear that everyone is managing their coumadin well and that there hasn't been any real difficulties. That is what my cardiologist and surgeon are saying given my activity level that coumadin is no big deal. Given that they are only tools to my health its good to listen to everyone here who is going through the same thing.
I forgot to mention that I have a bicuspid valve with regurgitation that has created two jets. My left ventricle size is enlarged but will bounce back since its still within "their" paramaters. Activity wise I do well but notice I am getting a little more tired these days but not "winded" and more noticeably on my last deer hunting trip this year.
As soon as I figure this thing out I will post a picture.
Joe Parker
Dad2three@aol.com

[sylviayasgur]

hi joe!
welcome! my husband, joey, had his ross procedure at the age of 49.
he felt very much that he did not want to take coumadin.
he has been happy with his choice and continues to do well, thank God.
my father, on the other hand, has a st. jude's valve and takes coumadin.
he is also in chronic afib so he has to take the coumadin either way.
despite the fact that he [used to be] is afraid of needles, he considers the
coumadin to be "no big deal". i seem to hear that more often from those who
take coumadin. it seems that those who do not take it tend to feel intimidated by it
and its risks.
i wish you all the best in your decision.
please let us know how it goes.
be well, sylvia

[HFK]

Hi I had homograft (human) put in 3 years ago at 42 and have had no problems with that valve,and am happy with my choice.HFK

[Heather Fisher]

I had a Ross procedure done at age 46 (three months ago) I probably would have been fine with a mechanical valve but just didn't want to deal with one. I used to work rehab in hospitals and always saw the results of coumadin problems. Granted, a number of these patients were non-compliant with coumadin monitoring but there are some risks.... My dad had a stroke shortly after beginning coumadin, obviously he had not yet reached a therapuetic dosage. So far I've been happy with my decision and everything is working great.

Heather

[Joe Parker]

It looks like I will end up with a mechanical valve, mostly because I don't want to go through the surgery again, which would happen. I have also been reading about a new medication that could replace coumadin and has had great results in clinical trials for hip replacements and stuff. I didn't read anything yet on weather its good for valve patients. But if the concept is the same, I.E. to prevent clotting then this new medication should work just fine.
Of course I am still flipping back and forth still. I have a 17 y/o daughter, 12 son and 9 year old son. I am not Evil Knevil by any means but I do get banged up.
Joe Parker

[Ross]

How long will the valve last?
The St. Jude Medical® mechanical heart valve is made of graphite and coated with pyrolytic carbon. Studies have shown that the valve will not wear out during the patient's lifetime. However, if there are problems with blood clot formation, the valve may need to be replaced.

But a tissue valve, which is composed of living tissue, may have a shorter life span than a mechanical valve. The symptoms of valve failure may be the same symptoms you experienced before surgery (e.g., shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, fluid retention). If one or more of these symptoms occur, notify your physician.

It's true that there are no guarantees, but in all probability it will last you your lifetime.

[tommy]

Hey Joe,

I was 46 when I had my AVR 3 years ago. I chose the mechanical valve to avoid later surgery. I had a bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis, regurgitating, and enlarged heart. Post-surgery, my heart has shrunk to normal size. I'm feeling fine at 49!

I self test (Coumadin) at home and call the results in to my cardiologist's office for further directions and dosage adjustments. Dosages adjustments are rare for me.

I won't kid you - Coumadin must be managed. The first few weeks of Coumadin were rough for me. In addition to finding the right dose, I failed to take the right dose (don't do that!). Since then I've been fine. I did have some bruising from playing baseball and have hung up my cleats. My reaction time is getting too slow anyway. I still catch for my son in the yard, but got some shin guards and a mask just to be safe. I've had some minor surgeries - one required an alternate short-term anticoagulant, and another just required a reduced dose for a couple of days.

So even though I've had some "events" with Coumadin, if I had to do it all over again, I would get a mechanical. The thought of doing the chest zipper thing again is not something I choose to have happen, given a choice.

Hope this helps.

[Kenny F]

While I'm one week out from AVR, I wanted to chime in on this one. I was completely set on mechanical when I met with my surgeon. It's not that he tried to talk me out of one or the other, he just very patiently shared his experiences with both and it evolved in the converstaion that both my wife and I felt more comfortable with the tissue. The bovine valve is new enough that they do not know if it will go past 20 years - but it could. Also, I will possibly need an aortic root, in which case it would appear that a homograft is the best fix. Also, while tissue will wear out, mechanicals actually fail.

At first, I wish I hadn't started reading this thread, because I was set. I still am, and that's really my point. There is no perfect solution to the problem, and ultimately, as so many have posted, it will be up to the surgeon. And if I do not trust him enough to use his judgement, get him outta my chest:cool:

[Joe Parker]

It does help to read the posts and learn at what age and what difficulties one may have had. Thanks for sharing.
Joe Parker

[nefarious_muse]

Hi Joe,
My husband had his AVR at age 38, w/St Judes Mechanical. He had no choice as the surgery was done within a few days after being diagnosed with regurgitation and an aortic aneurysm.

Nef :)

[JetService]

Hi Joe, I had my AVR last month at age 37. I found out there was a problem in August, so everything happened so fast. Both my cardiologist and surgeon made it very obvious to me that the St. Jude was the way to go for my age. It was a no-brainer for me too as I did NOT want to go through another surgery in 5-10 years (the estimate given to me by my cardiologist). The Coumadin consequence was definately the better of two evils for me, but I have very little problem with taking a daily pill and getting a stick in the arm once in awhile. I heard a lot of folks deciding on the bio-valve banking on medical advances in valves when the next time comes around. I figure there could also be advances in anti-coagulation just and well and am banking on that. Both the doctor giving me my heart cath and my cardiologist told me that the mechanical valves will last a lifetime and never need replaced except for failure. But they don't wear out according to them (and failure is incredibly rare apparently). The Coumadin risk was explained as 1% per patient year which means every year 1% of the population on Coumadin has a problem. My follow-up surgeon also added that some choose to not use Coumadin and those folks look at a 5% risk each year. Of course EVERYTHING I've heard applies to me and my valve which is the 27A-101 according to my card. :D

Good luck on your surgery!!!!!

[warnerd]

I was hesitant to reply since I had the surgery in 01/02 when I was 37 and I'm still not sure which valve I want.:o
Seriously, I wish I would have had access to this site then. Even though I was being watched because of an enlarged heart (they weren't sure why) the decision to replace the valve came quick. I seem to be a bit naive and trusting and I just went with the surgeon's advice (Edwards Lifesciences - Bovine). I asked little and knew little (I think I may have been in a state of shock). The surgeon indicated that if I didn't mind the surgery (like anyone could explain the magnitude of it) and I wanted a "normal" existence, this would be the way to go. He said if I was his brother, this is what he would recommend (that seemed like a strong recommendation to me). Fast forward to today...I've been living a "normal" life (almost too normal if you read some recent posts and the recommendation that I stop it) BUT, I'm not sure there is a day that goes by that I don't think about that upcoming surgery. Big decision. I wish you luck! daw

[McCln]

Welcome to the board. I was 36 when I had my Aortic valve replacement. My recovery was speedy compared to repair almost 30 years before. I was out of action at work for six weeks, which two weeks of waiting for one leg to get better from infection. I did very well. I did not go to rehab, but is good for those who can do it. I am doing better now, having type 2 diabetes and get a handle on my weight, lost 60 pounds so far. I will soon be going to a nutristionist to get a handle on my dieting. You will be fine. Just do as the docs and nurses tell you and walk a bit after surgery. And come in when you have questions, there are years of experience in here. Take care.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

[chilihead]

I just had a Ross procedure done on 11/18/03. One thing to consider is that if you go with a stentless pig valve or a Ross, you will probably be able to take advantage of the laproscopic procedures being developed when it comes time to replace what ever you need in the future. I don't think you can do that if you have a stented valve. It's a tough decision. No one will recommend a Ross procedure unless they have a skilled surgeon on their team that does them regularly. I'm going on my secon week at home after the surgery and feel pretty good.

Best of luck with your decision. It is agonizing I know!!!!!!

Regards,

Jim
Ross Procedure 11/18/03

[Joe Parker]

Everyone continues to give me some great advice, as January draws near.
Keep up the posts.
Joe Parker :D

[fisher6476]

What I found interesting when I first got on this site is that there were a lot of folks that when asked had opinions about which way to go, what valve to choose, what hospital to go to but the overiding wisdom on this site I believe is that most everyone will tell you YOU have to make the choices for yourself based on what you want. I will have a tissue valve implanted Friday, along with a Dacron tube to repair a section of my Aorta. For my own reasons, I did not want to be on blood thinners, but if something would happen Friday and I woke up and the Doc said you have to be on Coumadin for the rest of your life, it would not be the end of the world for me either. My surgeon said that with a little luck I could get 20 years out of this bovine pericardial valve (who knows). I am 52 years old now and if I get 13 to 15 years out of it I will be 65 to 68 years old. Who knows what might be available then? But for me It was the way I wanted to go. And no matter what happens I will not second guess my decision. I made what I considered an "informed" choice and now Damn the Torpedoes...Full Speed Ahead!! Keep searching, asking and learning and I will pray that you come to a resolution that will put you at peace.
Steve

[Joe Parker]

Steve:
I wish you well on your surgery. And yes, valve type is a personal choice. I agree 100 % to be happy with the choices we make because it was the right one.

Joe Parker

[Perrster]

"Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand?" - jimi hendrix (Hendrix was/still is a favorite of mine and I even saw him in concert). Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun...

I had a double valve job at age 50 and will be clickin' away happily (with my St. Jude's) four years post-op in April 2004. I am doing everything possible to stay out of the operating room ever again!! I was back to work in two weeks.

Good luck to you, Joe.

Regards,

[dwfreck]

Joe,

I'm 39 and am angling to schedule my AVR surgery for February, 2004.

[Granbonny]

Here I go again...The Mother Hen of Vr.com..at 2,093 posts..4th behind..Ross, Nancy and Ann.......It's not the valve you choose..All will be life=saving.......but please REMEMBER..it takes a good 1 year to feel your old self again.....3 months to get the drugs out of you..that foggy head...weakness,..1 good day..2 bad days...ect... Pain from shoulders, back...when you overdo it...
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: You may think at 6 months...I'm well.. then something as minor as lifting..will put the pain back in your back...:mad: :mad: I am back at my old self...20 months..post op..NEVER would I want to go thru that open-heart surgery again.....or put my family thru having to take care of me.:eek: :eek: :eek: Remember..they have their lives , too....Work, children, ect. AND remember..in 20 years..they will be older..too... I have the Mechanical valve...Coumadin is no big deal....and I sleep good knowing ..No more surgeries for me....Bonnie

[John & Joann]

Joann was 33 when she had her first mechanical valves. She was 61 when the valves were replaced and she had the 3 bypass.

Still Clicking in Western Ohio

[Susan Allen]

Hey Joe,
I am 42 - learned I had a biscupid aorta valve at 40 - told I had plenty of time - got a shocker this last July when I was told it needed replacing soon.
I had the Ross Procedure on Oct. 23 - I feel great
Coumadin free - take 1 aspirin a day.
I am back to work full time this week.
I had an echo done 2 weeks ago and my card. said my heart looked great - would never known I just had surgery.

Chilihead is right. There are only about 126 surgeons in the world that will perform a Ross. Luckily for Chilihead and me many good and experienced ones are here in Texas.

My surgeon had no problem helping me to decide on it.
Although if for some reason - I would have gone with probably a Carpentier Edwards Bovine as my second choice. I was not ready for Coumadin at this point in my life if I had another choice.

I know 40 is an awful age for this because we are right in the middle - not too old for a tissue valve and be done with it knowing would probably not out live it - and not really young enough to just go with mechanical for the longevity.

Don't worry just research and you will find what is best for you.
Remember the wait is the worst.

Above all enjoy the holidays.
Best of luck to you,
Susan Allen

[Gail in Ca]

I was 34 when I had my 1st avr and aneurism repair.
My porcine valve lasted 11 years, and I enjoyed just going back to my normal life.
At 46, I had my 2nd avr and got mechanical.
I can say now after 3 yrs that I am okay with it and all the extra crap it entails.
No really, I am glad to be alive and am totally used to the clicking.
Gail

[Joe Parker]

It takes a Lickin' and still keeps on tickin'. So just how loud is the ole' St. Judes. Thats is what is recommended to me.
Its nice to see that those with the mechanical valves are doing well and the coumadin doesn't seem to be a big deal.

Steve, I will continue to pray for your recovery. Let me know how you are doing.

Joe Parker

[TSH]

I had AVR at age 30 with St. Judes mechanical. Wasn't given any other option by my surgeon. The coumadin has really been a non-issue for me, just as many others have said. Although, I have curtailed my alcohol intake somewhat, and while I have not limited my activities one bit, I am more careful while engaged in them.

Oh yeah, the clicking definitely took some getting used to, but now I hardly ever hear it.

Overall, I think you will be pleased with the mechanical valve.

[RickKiem]

I am 39 and just had my aortic valve replaced along with the aortic root and an ascending aortic aneurysm. Like everyone else I waffled between wanting a tissue valve over a mechanical and back again. The morning of my surgery I told them my preference was for a tissue. Well I woke up with a mechanical. My surgeon told me that for my situation the best option was an aortic conduit which is a graft that incorperates the root and the valve with the ascending graft. Fewer seams it seems.

After the fact, I am glad that I may not have to go though this again. I am glad that my family may not have to do this again.

Now, if it wasn't for that darn clicking....

Rick

[Mark Wagner]

I was 40 years old. It will be four years on January 19th.

Mark:cool:

[MarkU]

I was 47. Just had my 3rd anniversary on 12/15.

MarkU

[Joe Parker]

Well folks, I have chosen the St. Jude (don't let me down) valve for my replacement. Had my angiogram and aortigram yesterday and thought I could just bounce when it was done, boy was I wrong. Feel a bit tired today but otherwise ok. My angio looks great and I was given the "green light" to get my valve replaced tomorrow (jan 21st).
I did alot of reading on the different options and listened to my doctors and that is how I came up with my decision. One thing I was told by my surgeons assistant was that they use this valve in third world countries and even though they go back home and have virtually no access to coumadin.

Talk to y'all soon

Joe Parker
Antioch, California
AVR replacement scheduled Jan 21st, 2004
St. Jude (don't let me down) valve
Mt. Diablo Hospital, Concord, California