David R - Heart Valve Journal

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David Rposted a journal

11 days ago

Hello Everyone! My name is David & I'll have to have Aortic replacement in the next year. I met with my surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and have a ...Read more

Hello Everyone! My name is David & I'll have to have Aortic replacement in the next year. I met with my surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and have a difficult decision to make and wanted some help when choosing a solution. I am 43 years old and a male. I enjoy running (a lot), coaching youth sports, and yard work.

I would love a solution where I'll never need another open heart surgery again, but am weighing between Ross, Ozaki and Mechanical.

The doctors seem to think that the ticking of the mechanical is bad, however I don't think that would bother me. The other item is being on blood thinners forever. Is that a limiting factor in life? Could I still coach youth sports? If I bumped my head would I be at risk of death? Are there problems in general with blood thinners I need to know over the next 40 years?

For Ross, what's the chance of another surgery? Would I end up with a mechanical regardless?

Richard Munson I have been taking a daily baby aspirin for 40 years, granted its not warfarin but it is a blood thin ... Read more

Richard Munson I have been taking a daily baby aspirin for 40 years, granted its not warfarin but it is a blood thinner. It never stopped me from doing anything physical. From what i read about warfarin , just making sure you don’t take too much or too little is the key. That requires diligent monitoring. A small price to pay for a healthy heart.

Jeff Williams Hey David, I'm a similar age (41) as you and received an On-X valve in 2023. I haven't changed anything I was doing presurgery activity-wise.

The ticking is unique to everyone, mine is quite loud but I don't hear it most of the time. I have another friend that is almost silent. Either way, I think you can get used to it.

Blood thinners haven't been an issue for me. I eat the same way I did before and get checked once a month. I bruise easier, but that hasn't been an issue (I'm not a model, lol).

I coach kids sports (starting baseball tonight) and haven't had any issues. I also lift weights 4 days a week and run 5 days a week (not marathons, but I run an hour or so at a time). I also do woodworking as a hobby and always have small cuts and things on my hands and arms and I haven't bled out yet, lol.

There are drawbacks to everything, but I felt best after talking with my surgeon and a few other sources that the mechanical valve was best for me and I still believe that today.

I'm always happy to connect and talk if you are interested.

Andrew Dial Hi David! I’m almost 36 and I chose the Ross. I lead a very active life, and physical as well..I bu ... Read more

Andrew Dial Hi David! I’m almost 36 and I chose the Ross. I lead a very active life, and physical as well..I build boats for a living and am always using tools, and grinders, saws etc… I chose to not be on blood thinners just because I do cut my hands sometimes, and bang my body on stuff, big pieces of aluminum etc and did not want to risk any potential excess bleeding. As far as reintervention… I was told that at 20 years, I would have a 20% chance at reintervention .. and I think it goes up a bit more frequently after that 20 year mark . I have seen many people on the various pages that they have gotten 20, 25, and even 30+ years out of their Ross before needing another surgery. I think the next surgery does not need to be a full sternotomy alot of the time, and can be done in between ribs. “Minimally invasive” I think is the term.

I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out with more questions!

you can also find me on my new fb page: Heart Warrior Community: By Andy Dial. And you can absolutely post on there as well and get feedback from even more people who’ve had surgery!

Rita Savelis Ticking is really not a problem. It has to be very very very quiet for me to hear my TWO mechanical v ... Read more

Rita Savelis Ticking is really not a problem. It has to be very very very quiet for me to hear my TWO mechanical valves (mitral and aortic). At the beginning I was more aware of the sound but really it is not an issue. Of course it's a drag to be on meds - anticoagulants, but then you get used to it. I was very worried at first and now, 10 years later, I don't think about them. I was 53, and because of radiation damage (from childhood cancer treatment) to my heart and valves it wasn't a good idea to have multiple surgeries. I haven't changed my lifestyle on anticoagulants - I eat what I like, and I get tested about once a month and make my own decisions about dosage. I probably bruise easier but I don't worry about that or about dying because of an accident, because then where would I be? Can't live that way. Of course if you can do a procedure like the Ross that would be great. Take your time and look around and see what's out there. Take care, and sorry that you have to go through this and make this decision. Whatever you decide will be right for you. Don't look back. Don't second guess yourself. You are singular and your heart and body are singular.

Katie Cascia I am 36 and currently working with a surgeon to determine if my valve can be repaired or if it needs ... Read more

Katie Cascia I am 36 and currently working with a surgeon to determine if my valve can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. I also have a 5cm aneurysm of the ascending aorta so surgery is a must to repair that. If it is determined that my valve cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced I am electing to have a Ross Procedure. I feel that the Ross with give me the quality of life that I wish to have without the restrictions a mechanical valve and blood thinners would place on my life.

The Learning Center videos on this page have really helped me with this decision and I would recommend you check them out if you haven't already. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/videos/ross-procedure

Remember everyone is different and what is right for someone else, may not be right for you. Wishing you well!

Ross Procedure Videos For Patients

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/videos/ross-procedure

Watch ross procedure videos for patients, their families and friends.

Christopher T My dad is on warfarin, he has some GI bleeding issues from it. Adam Pick the one who runs this site h ... Read more

Christopher T My dad is on warfarin, he has some GI bleeding issues from it. Adam Pick the one who runs this site had ROSS he seems to be happy with it.

Darrell Malone Hello David. I had the Ross Procedure almost 1 yr ago. I am 56 and would say that I am active. I dec ... Read more

Darrell Malone Hello David. I had the Ross Procedure almost 1 yr ago. I am 56 and would say that I am active. I decided it was the best choice for me 1. I definitely did not want to be on blood thinners 2. I felt that with the Ross it will last me much longer (hopefully the rest of my life) than a bovine.
It's a very personal decision and whatever you decide with your team will be right. All the best with your journey.

David R Thank you all for the replies, I am very happy I joined the community! I'm going to watch the videos, ... Read more

David R Thank you all for the replies, I am very happy I joined the community! I'm going to watch the videos, I'm trying to compile data on the average length of time for each option prior to another OHS.