Heart Valve Replacement

[TinySpark]

Morning all. Posting here for traffic.

A close family member is awaiting heart valve replacement surgery and has seen two surgeons each with differing opinions on the type of valve, bovine and mechanical.

I would really appreciate your experience on both. As we understand it, there is not the same statistical info available for the bovine valve however they would not need warfarin afterwards which is a big consideration if opting for the mechanical one.

Do you know anyone who have been through either? If bovine, how long ago was this and have they needed further surgery?

Thank you all. We are seeking further info from both surgeons but it would really help to hear personal experiences/outcomes.

Husband had bovine, he was young and active at the time so it lasted only ten years when he had a human one which lasted about 15. But both were amazing and his recovery was great

No experience but this is in my future so following with interest.

Wishing and your family member all the best. 💐

I had a bovine valve replacement over eight years ago and I’m doing fine although I have some unrelated issues.
In my case the decision on which kind of valve to go for was pretty much made when I was on the table although, of course, I asked the surgeon what he thought. He said that, because I was fairly compact, he might not be able to get a mechanical valve in the space and, also, because I was already being monitored for kidney problems, if I were on Warfarin, this would cause problems controlling bleeding if I were to end up on dialysis (which I have now been for almost five years).
Obviously these points may not apply to your DH but I wish him well!

My mum had a mechanical mitral valve replacement in 2000, and it lasted until she died in 2012. From talking to the cardiologist, the valve was doing its work fine - the problem was that she’d been on the waiting list so long (7 years back in the bad old days) that it had caused irreparable damage and so she lived with chronic heart failure. She ultimately died from renal failure because her heart wasn’t strong enough, and at 76 with multiple co-morbidities she wasn’t a good candidate for a transplant. The only thing we noticed about the mechanical valve was it clicking in a quiet room, and she regularly caused havoc at airport metal detectors (‘oh, didn‘t I tell you about my valve?’).

My dad had a replacement valve 14 years ago and is still alive and hasn't had it replaced. I think he does take blood thinners. I'm not sure which one he had. I didn't hear of it being bovine.

which is the 'right' prosthesis is going to depend on things like age/which valve it is/ what the rest of their heart is like /lifestyle (which may affect the implications of lifelong anticoagulation)/other medical problems. If there is difference of opinion between the surgeons there should be proper MDT discussion (there should be anyway, but particularly important where it's a tricky decision).

My DH has two mechanical valves - an aortic in 1992 and a pulmonary in 2007. Both have been fine and caused no issues.

He takes warfarin and we have a great system going with the anti-coagulation clinic. He has his own self testing machine and tests his own blood (mostly every 4 weeks). We email the result to the clinic and they reply with his warfarin dose. It's so handy having our own testing machine as we can take it away with us, and if he's ill for an unrelated matter we can test to make sure he's in range (being under the weather can push the INR out of range).

Thank you all so very much for replying. I really appreciate your replies, experiences and well wishes.

He is 59yrs old and otherwise in good health. The concern, if he opts for the bovine valve, is that this will need replaced at some stage as he is relatively young. However, he doesn’t like the thought of warfarin, which is needed if he goes for the mechanical one so he is finding the decision difficult.

He has been told to take a couple of weeks to think about it so we are really keen to hear other people’s experiences. Thanks again.

I know two people who’ve had mechanical valves and both are fine and live totally normally. The mechanical ones do make an audible ticking noise though. People have to be very close to you (and in a quiet room) to be able to hear it though. My friend said it took her a while at nighttime to get used to it but she’s tuned it out now and it doesn’t bother her.

My mum had a mechanical valve aged 59. She’s 80 now and doing great!

My husband is waiting for an aortic valve replacement, as he is 36 he has been advised to have a mechanical valve because it lasts longer, but is also worried about taking warfarin. We only found out at Christmas that he had a severely leaky valve due to a birth defect and he's been on the waiting list ever since, they say the op will be end of this month...its strangely comforting to see others in the same position. When is your DH due for surgery OP?

DH had a mechanical heart valve maybe 15 years ago now. I don't recall there being a choice. He does take warfarin. It's all fine, apart from regular blood tests. The warfarin is a complete ballache if they need any other procedure, mind.

I'm having my mitral valve replaced this summer with a mechanical one as I'm relatively young. I'm extremely anxious about the recovery, scarring etc so if anyone has any tips from their experience I'd be grateful. Things like take x or y painkiller, use this style of pyjamas, bras, pillows etc. I don't have a partner and will just have occasional help from my daughter in her late teens.

How long are you staying in hospital for ?

My husband has had a bovine valve fitted mid 30’s. He was born with the defect and lives a normally healthy life.

His father and grandfather both had unrelated issues and both prescribed warfarin and both went on to have strokes that were deemed caused by the warfarin. This is the reason my husband avoided the mechanical valve. A tissue can be replaced by the tavi procedure so we’re hoping that’s next then technology is further ahead by the third time. He’s 8 years so far. But

There is a FB page uk based that’s helpful
www.facebook.com/share/g/16ynznQ4XP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I was told a week in intensive care, then "we'll see"- is that normal?

Yes, it's major surgery. They'll manage the pain there for you. Physio and rehabilitation etc.

DBro had one last year, age 59. He had a bovine one, as his surgeon advised that a mechanical one could be fitted inside it when it wore out. He's been told his bovine valve should last about 15 years. The surgery to install a mechanical valve within the bovine valve is simpler than starting from scratch, and less risky for some who will be in their mid 70s. He paid privately, as the waiting list was longer than his prognosis.

MIL had a mechanical atrial heart valve fitted in her late 50's, she died recently aged 83. She really did not suffer any issues with her heart after the procedure and it was her other health issues which caused her more problems. If she was sitting in a quiet room we could hear her valve ticking which amused the grandchildren.

Following this thread with interest. My partner had a tissue valve 2 years ago.(not specified original of tissue) He is 70 in 2 weeks and still able to walk an average 10k steps a day and up to 8/10 mile walks/climb hills etc. My friend's partner had one about 7 years ago and is 70. He is going away on a cycling holiday next week and seems very fit overall.
My partner was never given the option of a mechanical valve. If/when the valve starts failing the next option is the TAVI, which is fitted over the current valve.
No idea how long the valve will last but it was a better option than not having the operation at all.

He was told that he shouldn't get any pain or discomfort from the scar after 6 months but 2 years on it still causes him discomfort but it's something he has just got to live with.

He saw a consultant 6 weeks ago for his 2 year review and the consultant was happy with his progress.
All the best to everyone who posted and thanks for the post OP.

My mum had the bovine one about 5 years ago. Considering she’d had open heart surgery, she recovered very well and was released after about 5 days and came to stay with us to recuperate. She was walking half a mile a week after she came home and is now back to normal - before the surgery she was breathless and coughing - beginnings of heart failure and the surgery was a miracle

Not necessarily a week in Intensive Care. My partner was in ICU for less than 2 days but in hospital for a week. After being discharged he had home visits from a specialist nurse to monitor his progress. After 6 weeks he went on a weekly heart rehab exercise course which he found reassuring as everything was carefully monitored. You will be given advice on pain relief throughout. All the very best.

She’d heard that the mechanical one had a slightly audible sound and that put her off.

Hi there, thanks so much for replying. It’s my brother in law that’s awaiting surgery. Been told it’s fairly imminent, but to take a couple of weeks to decide about type of valve then they will schedule surgery shortly after.

Also concerned about lifetime warfarin but I’m sure it’s something he’ll get used to if he opts for the mechanical valve. I hope your husband’s surgery goes well x 💐

Thank you! I’ll take a look and pass details to my sister and brother in law. Great to hear your husband is doing well. Yes, he’s been told that a TAVI may be an option in the future if needed, if he opts for the bovine valve.