Joh N's Posts

John: I am not aware that mitral valves can be replaced minimally invasively. There is research going on in this area. The mitra clip is used via catheter for patients that are higher risk for open heart surgery. Per Robert's comment, a repair is much preferred, there is much data to support a repair. http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/mitraclip/ http://www.mitraclip.com/

Whatever you decide will be best for you. Some people don't want to be on anti-caogulant therapy ("blood thinners" or warfarin/Coumidin), some people don't want animal tissue in them. Every person is different, and valve choice is personal. No one is any better than the other. I'm 44, and I have a mechanical valve. It ticks like a watch, and I take warfarin every night. I've never had a bleeding issue, and I haven't changed my diet. But that's just my experience. Your mileage may vary! -Meredith

There are definite pros and cons to both. Read My Story and it will give you my family experiences with both types of valves. Of course this is only my family experience and not representative of the larger group experiences. I just had AVR via mini sternotomy on 12/1. I am 40. I chose a tissue valve (bovine) instead of mechanical. I take one 81mg baby aspirin daily now. Now, I am a little weirded out that I have a cow valve and have not eaten beef since my replacement! My surgeon implanted a valve that was on the larger end for my opening with the plan to input a valve via transcatheter when I need the next replacement. He said this is where the technology is headed. I am hoping for advancements with technology (human valve grown out of DNA, etc.). Best wishes to you and your decision!!

Hi John and this is a tough decision. I had a tissue valve put in after my repaired valve failed. I had in done in the Cleveland Clinic and was told it would last 16+ years, but is failed in 8 years. Now I have a mechanical valve and I am 45 years old. All valves can fail and so can my mechanical valve. My surgeon told me that my valve will last my life as long as I take care of it with monitoring my blood levels. That is key to prevent bleeds. There are many athletic people on blood thinner. You need to ask yourself if you can go through this surgery again. Tissue valves inevitably wear out no matter what at different times for everyone. This will be effected by many factors, so no one is the same. Activity level, person's health, stress, and the overall quality of the valve. Just do all the research you can on both and make the decision that is right for you.