Sana's Journal

Sana Syed  I am 43 years old and have aortic regurgitation and mitral regurgitation due to Rheumatic heart disease.My surgeon is in more favor of tissue valve ,but when I took opinion from other surgeon due to my age they are more towards mechanical valve. Please can any body share with me what problems they have due to use of coumadin?

Suzanne Hunter  I take warfarin for a mechanical valve. I am now 59 . I still teach at school with 28 5-6 year olds. I have blood tests monthly. I am still active. I eat pretty much same food as before. It really hasn't changed my life too much.

Tom Fitzmorris  Sana: You did not say your age but the biggest factor is probably you're willingness to undergo a repeat valve surgery, or potentially two repeats if you are young enough.
I do not have direct experience with coumadin as I opted for a porcine valve, knowing that I will almost certainly need a new valve in 20 years (I am 57). I understand that many/most people have no trouble with coumadin. Myself, I was uncomfortable with the idea that I would be medically-managed cardiac patient forever, and my surgeon (who also recommended a porcine valve and does few mechanical valves anymore) described the coumadin therapy as eternally balancing blood levels to minimize to chance of strokes due to blood clots on the one hand with higher chance of internal bleeding (or even hemorrhagic stroke) on the other hand; the odds of either happening are low but not zero. Dr. Castro further said to me, say for example you happen to be someone who in the future developed a stomach ulcer and then were to experience some bleeding from a stomach ulcer; without comadin you might never notice; with coumadin being taken, it is a trip to the emergency room.
So for me the only negative of the bio-prosthetic valve option is having to redo OHS someday. The 3rd generation valves now being put in are still working at 15 years in over 95% of patients. And there already are catheter-based approaches (Aortic valve replacement for stenotic valves), which will only become more broadly available over the next decades.
Good luck and know that either choice you make, your surgical result is going to be excellent! Tom

Sana Syed  Tom ,I am 43 years old. It is really difficult to take decision . Thank you Suzzane and Tom for your feedback. Suzzane how many years have passed for your surgery?

D. Carol Moore  Hi Sana Sye: I am a 21 year mechanical DVR (Aortic and Mitral) due to Rheumatic heart disease. My age is 67-1/2. I've been on Coumadin since 1976 and have not had any issues with Coumadin or the mechanical heart valves (please read my Journal). It is not too detailed but I'm sure that you'ld be inspired to go forward. Cheers!

Nancy D  the correct choice is the one you make for you and your lifestyle. There is no right or wrong. For me it was which was the least problematic for me. I understand your confusion, and difficulty in deciding. It was harder to decide this issue than which doctor or hospital to go to. Each has its benefits and possible issues. Once I decided and was comfortable with the decision, my stress level went down.

Heather Wilson  I am 40 and also had a hard time making this decision. I opted for a tissue valve bc I am very active (and accident prone) and did not want to take Coumadin. I also figured I would probably need another OHS at my age even with a mechanical valve (appx 25 years), so I decided to take a chance that perhaps the catheter replacement procedures would be an option by the time my tissue valve has to be replaced (appx 8-15 years).

D. Carol Moore  My INR therapeutic range is 2.5 - 3.5. I go to the Coumadin Clinic once a month. However, for self-assurance, I invested in a machine (Coag-Sense) and do weekly pro-times. If I am out of therapeutic range, then I call the clinic.

Terry Shermeister   Hi Sana: Just read about your anxiety. I have it too as my surgery draws near. Also the 14th. I'm lucky not having symptoms so the way I deal with this is by talking to friends, swimming and biking, and finding ways to take my mind off of this. I'm pushing myself this weekend to visit friends for dinner along with my son. I also find it helpful to read my binder from the hospital describing everything from one week before surgery, check in, surgery, and leaving the hospital and getting into rehab. I know this may not work for every one, my nurse at the pre op offered to give me a med but I declined.

Alfonso Vasquez  Sana Syed, I am 47 years old and what th Dr told us about the mechanical valve, was a better choice for me cuz my age and he didn't want me to have surgery to replace it again in the future cuz they wore out too. and I am the kind of person that don't like to take any meds at all, ill take a very low dose of blood thinner may be twice aweek.

Alfonso Vasquez  Be strong Sana! Praying for you, we all have so much support its great! I know how you feel, I try to keep it off my mind and its hard. I trust Jesus and I know that ill be ok and I know that you too will be ok. God bless you