Alexander Casler - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

774 days ago

Random question:

How much does self testing INR cost? And where does one purchase the supplies for it? Is it just the machine and test ...Read more

Random question:

How much does self testing INR cost? And where does one purchase the supplies for it? Is it just the machine and test strips or is there more to it?

I'm trying to do a cost analysis and I'm curious about this as I've seen pretty wild numbers when looking online.

Ed Eller Alexander, have you checked with your insurance co. To see what they will cover? I'm on Medicare and ... Read more

Ed Eller Alexander, have you checked with your insurance co. To see what they will cover? I'm on Medicare and 100% of my home INR test kit and strips would be covered.

Subhash Chandel If you decide to have non-mechanical valve, heard a lot of good things about Edwards Inspiris Resilia ... Read more

Subhash Chandel If you decide to have non-mechanical valve, heard a lot of good things about Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve about its long life and valve in valve possibility later. Be sure to ask about it with your the doctor/surgeon or search.

Alexander Casler I know my insurance covers 80% for medical equipment, and I'm assuming test strips fall under medical ... Read more

Alexander Casler I know my insurance covers 80% for medical equipment, and I'm assuming test strips fall under medical equipment. I'm mostly curious about where to purchase these things, through a pharmacy?

Alexander Casler Subhash,

The Resilia is interesting, I'm just not too keen on the lack of long term data, espe ... Read more

Alexander Casler Subhash,

The Resilia is interesting, I'm just not too keen on the lack of long term data, especially in very young patients.

I was shocked while researching the other available tissue options and how quickly they tend to degenerate in the very young. I am hopeful that long term data on the Resilia is positive however.

Subhash Chandel Just read your story. I like your idea of going with mechanical valve for piece of mind. Only thing i ... Read more

Subhash Chandel Just read your story. I like your idea of going with mechanical valve for piece of mind. Only thing is to manage blood thinner testing which is do-able/manageable and I heard after initial adjustments, testing is to be done only once a month. Atleast you don't have to worry about future surgeries. Blood thinner medications will be something you will get used to with passage of time. Atleast situation will be many times better than current situation.

Betsy Davenport My next area of study is going to be calcification and how to slow it down. I've had abicuspid valve ... Read more

Betsy Davenport My next area of study is going to be calcification and how to slow it down. I've had abicuspid valve since burn and have only had severe stenosis in the last 6-8 months. I am 72. Apparently that's old for a first replacement, so I'm already a slow calcifiedr. I believe keeping one's magnesium levels up lowers the rate but I need to read some more. Magnesium is hard to absorb, but can be done.

Alexander Caslerposted an update

810 days ago

Came across this earlier, may be of interest to some people here.

Apparently the study looking at Eliquis for mechanical valves has been stopped.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artivion-follows-recommendation-to-stop-proact-xa-clinical-trial-301631774.html ...Read more

Artivion Follows Recommendation to Stop PROACT Xa Clinical Trial

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artivion-follows-recommendation-to-stop-proact-xa-clinical-trial-301631774.html

/PRNewswire/ --- Artivion, Inc. (NYSE: AORT), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, announced today that it has stopped the...