Pig Heart Valve Replacement Longevity – How Long Do They Last?
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
As a follow-up to my post about pig valve transplants, I received a specific question, “Do you know exactly how long a pig valve might last in the human heart?”
It’s a good question for patients to consider as they determine which is the best valve type for them – biological (pig valve, cow valve) or mechanical.
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, “Pig heart valves do not last as long as mechanical valves and for that reason are not usually implanted in patients much younger than 60 years.”
Dr. Rosenfeld continues, “Although recent reports from The Cleveland Clinic (whose surgeons have a great deal of experience replacing heart valves) suggest that the newer biological valves often last 17 years or longer, they frequently must be replaced after 15 years. So, except in unusual circumstances, younger patients still are given a mechanical valve.”
I hope that helps explain more about how long pig heart valves last in the human heart.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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Arm says on August 7th, 2017 at 4:37 pm |
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I am in my young 20’s. Just had (in May) my pulmanary valve replaced with a tissue valve (as i hope to have children in the future). |
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Sandie Maldonado says on August 9th, 2017 at 1:43 pm |
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Can you take Eliquis with a pig’s valve? |
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Linda says on October 31st, 2017 at 3:34 pm |
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Hi, my fiance has had the same pig valve since 1969 he was born 4/1966. He just did a check up yesterday, and they said he is still good! He is going on 49 years with the same valve. I am amazed with his success. Any thoughts? Should we be prepared for a future replacement? He is now 51 years old and as I said he had his main aortic valve replaced when he was around 3 years old in 1969 with a pig valve. |
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MS JONES says on January 15th, 2018 at 11:17 am |
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I’ve had my pig valve for 37 years it’s never been replaced I was 14 when I got it to me it’s the best valve in the world |
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Jennifer Miller says on March 3rd, 2018 at 4:22 am |
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Hi In 1986 I underwent open heart surgery and my mitro valve was replaced with a pig valve. Should i speak with my cardiologist about having it replaced? |
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MWeber says on April 27th, 2018 at 2:42 pm |
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As a child I had rheumatic fever, and didn’t find out till the age of 44 when I wanted to quit smoking that I have suffered though my lifetime with rheumatic heart disease. At the age of 48 I elected for the porcine (pig) heart valve. I didn’t want to listen to the clickety-click of the mechanical heart valce and refused to have to take coumadin do to it possible dangers. I am now 54 years old and doing well. And I named my valve Messieur Oink Oink. |
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jacqueline Marie says on October 18th, 2018 at 8:38 pm |
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My boyfriend has had his pig valve for 16 years- he visited the doctor last year and dr said it is fine. He is now 52 – |
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