Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :) 

Hi Debi,  I just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you approach surgery and am wishing you well.  I don't have any wisdom to share, as my experience is with heart by-pass.  Best wishes and stay strong. Pete

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :) 

Hi Debi,  I just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you approach surgery and am wishing you well.  I don't have any wisdom to share, as my experience is with heart by-pass.  Best wishes and stay strong. Pete

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :) 

Hello, Debi,
I have had three OHS to replace my mitral valve. The last one also involved replacing my aortic valve. I had endocarditis three times, hence the replacements. The last time, my surgeon, though he didn't want to, used a mechanical valve for my mitral. I take Coumadin because it is the only thinner approved for mechanical valve. I monitor it at home and my cardiologist adjusts as needed. It is an adjustment to my daily life.
I, however, don't hear ticking unless it is very quiet and I am very still. Even then it doesn't bother me at all.
I wish you well and hope this helps a little.
Best wishes…

David Dolge

Hi Debi,  I just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you approach surgery and am wishing you well.  I don't have any wisdom to share, as my experience is with heart by-pass.  Best wishes and stay strong. Pete

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :) 

Hello, Debi,
I have had three OHS to replace my mitral valve. The last one also involved replacing my aortic valve. I had endocarditis three times, hence the replacements. The last time, my surgeon, though he didn't want to, used a mechanical valve for my mitral. I take Coumadin because it is the only thinner approved for mechanical valve. I monitor it at home and my cardiologist adjusts as needed. It is an adjustment to my daily life.
I, however, don't hear ticking unless it is very quiet and I am very still. Even then it doesn't bother me at all.
I wish you well and hope this helps a little.
Best wishes…

David Dolge

Hi Debi,  I just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you approach surgery and am wishing you well.  I don't have any wisdom to share, as my experience is with heart by-pass.  Best wishes and stay strong. Pete

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :) 

Debi,

I have to admit, David is right and I was wrong about using the newer blood thinners as an alternative to Coumadin for mechanical values.  There was a years long study using Eliquis and similar class blood thinners but they recently discontinued the experiment when they determined that there existed a higher stroke and embolism risk than with warfarin/coumadin.  The medical establishment really wants to move on from coumadin and there will be continued research into using the next generation of blood thinners as an effective alternative.

Ira

Hello, Debi,
I have had three OHS to replace my mitral valve. The last one also involved replacing my aortic valve. I had endocarditis three times, hence the replacements. The last time, my surgeon, though he didn't want to, used a mechanical valve for my mitral. I take Coumadin because it is the only thinner approved for mechanical valve. I monitor it at home and my cardiologist adjusts as needed. It is an adjustment to my daily life.
I, however, don't hear ticking unless it is very quiet and I am very still. Even then it doesn't bother me at all.
I wish you well and hope this helps a little.
Best wishes…

David Dolge

Hi Debi,  I just wanted to say I am thinking of you as you approach surgery and am wishing you well.  I don't have any wisdom to share, as my experience is with heart by-pass.  Best wishes and stay strong. Pete

Hello All,
I'm scheduled for open-heart surgery next week, April 20 to re-do an existing 12 year old  bovine tissue  aortic valve. (stenosis/end of its term) The surgeon will also repair my ascending aortic aneurysm during surgery. Both my cardiologist and my surgeon are highly recommending a mechanical valve because of its longevity. Potentially never needing re-surgery again. I'm resisting that recommendation because I fear the noise will prevent me from sleeping. I'm quirky in that regard. There is also the issue of taking and monitoring lifelong blood thinners. These are Quality of life concerns for me.
My thought is to have TAVR when the next tissue valve expires. Most likely 2 more tissue replacements in my lifetime. I'm 67 years old, healthy and active otherwise. 

Anyone out there with the On-X mechanical valve? Does the constant ticking bother you? Is the monitoring of your Coumadin cumbersome? Do you regret your choice?

Thank you ahead of time for any input!
Debi :)