James's Posts

Why did your mitral valve repair fail? There can be many reasons including that you had a heart chamber was very much enlarged. After the first procedure, it could have shrank and now the cords they used are too long. In this case, another repair might be a better option than a mechanical valve. If a repair is not possible, you have to decide between tissue and mechanical. At your age it's hard to decide. I was going with a mechanical but last minute, I changed my mind and decided on a tissue valve. My surgeon fixed it, though. So far so good after my second surgery.

Thanks. I have Mr. Moorjani. I was told it failed possibly because once you strengthen one part of the leaflets, it puts pressure on the other parts for some people. My main objective is to never have OHS again so that's why I don't want to take the risk with another repair or a bioprosthetic valve. Just hope I've made the right decision.

There are people on this site who have had mechanical valves and coped well after getting used to what is entailed. I hope you have the very best experience. My valve is bioprosthetic but I am older than you. I don't think I would want another OHS either but some people are remarkable in their resilience. Keep ticking and take the path that feels right for you.

I had my mitral valve replaced 6 months at age 59 and with the mechanical because I also did not want another OHS. I have had no issues . The valve is a little noisy but you do get use to it and a white noise machine at night is necessary for me so I don’t hear it at night. I think you made the right decision.

James, I was told my mitral valve repair should last many years, but there will be a time where they will need to go through my groin (TAVR for a damaged valve without opening chest cavity. I was told it’s years later when things begin to deteriorate. I understand. I’m hoping never again but it’s better to know and address it. Wishing you the best sincerely.

James, I am 56 and just had aortic valve replacement 3weeks ago. I had similar thoughts however opt to take life 10-15 years at a time. They can do a second TVAR with bioprosthetic valve.also valve my last longer. Anyway my take was to live now and worry later. Hope things work out

Hi James--I just had a redo of Mitral replacement and my second surgery was at Mt Sinai in New York--Dr Adams. Great place and awesome team. I was scared they would tell me mechanical was better because I detest warfarin, but they told me they rarely do mechanical valves nowadays and so I got the bovine one. Totally true that there are always improvements in cardiac care. Who knows what will be available in a few years? Personally, I think it's better to look at what would make you happier and more comfortable in the here and now and not in the future, as we can't know it! (They put me on coumadin for a month after surgery and I was a chaotic mess, complaining and and annoyed, with INR flat and then spiking, cutting myself with big bleeding drama, pouting about the lack of greens, etc) They say it's possible to be ok on it, but it requires consistancy, carefulness, etc. Some people can do it. Some really have trouble. I had mitral re-replacement, tricuspid repair, MAZE, and a pacemaker. All due to childhood cancer treatments. I'm 60, and work in the Middle East with botanicals, so it will be a long flight back to NYC if something happens, but impossible to know the future. I hope this helps!

I would go bio. If you choose warfarin go on it now and test it out to see if you can handle it...I regret getting a mechanical valve and and am suffering. I am 56...May have to get a bio valve now. 6 months out and full of side effects and am now housebound...

James, at age 59, I got a tissue valve. It's a real tough decision and one only you can make. My advice is to do your due diligence and interview more than one cardiologist or surgeon (second opinion). Ask lots of questions. But remember... whatever choice you make, it's the right one for you! 👍

I had a mechanical mitral valave replaced in July with a mechanical and I was 59. Went with mechanical because I did not want another surgery when I was in my 70s. The warfarin makes me more careful and other than the mechanical being noisy when it is deathly quiet I’ve had no issues: got a white noise machine to sleep:

Hi James, I'm also 52 and had open heart aortic valve replacement in July this year in Edinburgh Royal. I had the same thoughts that your having now. I opted for a Edwards tissue valve, and its working brilliantly, no problems at all. Apparently these new valves might last 15 years, so I'm enjoying life, and will deal with any issues when they arrive.

James - Wow! I'm approaching my 7 year mitral valve anniversary and I wouldn't be happy to be facing another surgery. Deena makes a good point - is the ring still intact? When the aortic valve heart warriors are getting additional surgeries, it's because the non-mechanical replacement valves only last so long and can wear faster for very active recipients. But, that's not the case with the annulplasty ring. If you've developed calcification on the valve, that may be a cause for an additional procedure, but you're definitely going to want to ask questions. I strongly suggest going to a different surgeon who specializes in re-repars of mitral valves. Please keep us posted. All the best to you! ❤️

This is what i found online. 1. Do/did you have a lot of calcification? Material Degradation: Over time, artificial chords may undergo calcification or hyalinization, weakening their structure. 2. Surgical Technique: Intraoperative trauma to the suture material or improper anchoring can lead to mechanical failure. 3. Left Ventricular Remodeling: Changes in the left ventricle’s shape and size after surgery can create stress on the chords, potentially causing rupture.

James - There are some data to suggest failures in thoracotomy versus sterotomy (meta analyses of durability). Chord failure is common, sadly, when it happens - I'd definitely get a new surgeon on the job and have a rigorous discussion about replacement versus re-repair. You should also grill them about sterotomy versus thoracotomy. I know in Europe they love thoracotomy, but this is evidence that durability is the key word you are looking for. Best of luck !

I’m sorry, I got confused. I wasn’t actually sure what a thoracotomy was. I actually had a sternotomy. I saw a cardiologist today and he said it’s likely I will need a replacement mitral valve rather than a re repair and it will be sternotomy again so I will need to decide between a mechanical or animal based one. I will be using a different surgeon this time.

James, did your new potential surgeon provide a reason why a repair is not possible? I want to share with you that if I had gone with my local, fairly highly rated surgeon, he would have performed a MV replacement, rather than a repair. (Due to my severely calcified valve.) Yet when I sent m y Echo disc to the top rated re-repair US surgeons, they confidently said could do a successful repair.

Understand, a third repair would be really troublesome. No, I did not have a re-repair. I am at the 3.5 year post surgery mark so you never know, as you know too well. The surgical opinion from a highly ranked mitral valve surgeon will be helpful in your deciding the pros and cons. Keep us updated. Thinking of you.