Kathryn's Guestbook

Kathryn Waymire  Hi I haven't had surgery yet and yes almost everyone I've read says what valve they have. Have a great day ! God Bless you !

Nancy D  It is a personal decision to be sure, and I struggled to make the decision. For some the thought of a repeat surgery is all they need to choose mechanical. I understand that train of thought. I didn't volunteer for this first one, the decision was made for me by how bad my Mitral valve was. However, for me at age 57, I too didn't want the restriction in diet and my time mostly for labs and constant monitoring and changing Coumadin doses. Although having your own testing machine at home alleviates some of that time at the lab. I also do not sleep very well most nights and was not sure how much the clicking of the mechanical would bother me, although a couple of patients have assured me you don't hear it after a while.......so yes, like the posters above I chose tissue/cow valve for me. For how ever long this valve lasts or I do, I would hope they have a much easier way of repair/replacement by then. AND if they don't, I got through it once, I can do it again if need be. Please know there is no right or wrong, better or worse. It is what make sense and feels right for you and your life style and your preferences. Once I finally firmly decided for myself, the stress level decreased for me, and I was able to be as calm as one can be the morning of surgery. Take good care, and decide what is in your best interest, as only you can do!

  LOL Joseph. You made me laugh out loud. I don't have to make a decision just yet and I don't even know what the difference is between the cow and pig valve, but I decided I won't get a mechanical if I have anything to say about because I do not want to be on Coumadin forever. But now when I discuss the cow vs. pig, I'm going to remember you Joseph and tell the doctor that I might rather moo than oink. Gee, I hope the surgeon will have a sense of humor. :)

Joseph Ballett  They do have a sense of humor, my wife even asked my family doctor if it was normal for me to moo at night

Virginia (Ginger) French  I, too, have a bovine valve, now three months new. I have a number of complicating factors, but am with both Joseph and Melinda on the potentials in time should my new valve need replacement. I have worked in health care and medical research all my life and am confident that TAVR or something similar will have plenty of research done by then to decrease potential adverse events and be approved eventually by the FDA for more patients than current, inoperable patients.

I have no clue, but would like to know the statistics on mechanical valves. I suppose that would include major bleeds from the warfarin, which is not optional, as well as the percentage of mechanical valves that require replacement because of clotting and related issues. To assume a mechanical valve surgery is a one time event is not the end of the story, and it concerns me that most patients do not know more about mechanical valve outcomes than they seem to. Medicine is both an art and a science, and with everything there are risks and benefits to be weighed. That makes this a very personal decision which, IMHO, is best made with as much current data as possible. I for one have no regrets, nor do I expect to. Regards!