Lovenox and mechanical valves

Common Questions and Answers about Lovenox and mechanical valves

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Avatar n tn My dad was 66 and had a tissue valve replacement in 1981 and later in 2001 he got another valve replacement with Mechanical. He was a surgeon and lived a very active life. He was also on Warfarin after his second surgery. Last December, he had sore throat for three weeks and one day he vomitted and in like 15 mintues he passed away. I am not surre if his tissue valve failed or something else.
868230 tn?1239764346 But mechanical valves generally do not have to be replaced and usually do not require additional surgery. A plastic or metal valve may be preferred if you are already taking long-term anticoagulants for other reasons. Artificial valves cause less blood clotting than mechanical valves. But you will likely take aspirin for the rest of your life to lower the chance of clotting. Bioprosthetic valves last for about 8 to 15 years.
Avatar n tn Bioprosthetic valves do not require coumadin but especially in your age group they wear out more quickly than mechanical valves. In selected centers in the US the placement of a special bioprosthetic valve is possible transluminally,but this is still in its infancy and not likely to be the standard of care for the next 5 years. It depends on your priorities: if not being on coumadin is more important than needing re-operation 4-5 years sooner then choose the BP.
Avatar n tn There are surgeons that recommended an INR range of 2.5 to 3.5 for the first 6-8 weeks and a range of 1.8-2.0 thereafter. The Coumadin package insert indicates that the appropriate INR range for patients with "mechanical" heart valves is 2.5 to 3.5. Another surgeon recommends the lower 1.8 to 2.0 range, and states research indicates that the 1.8 to 2.0 range is acceptable for patients with "larger" St. Jude valves in the aortic position.
Avatar n tn Based on accelerated wear testing in a lab and on measurements made on mechanical valves, the valve will last between 100 and 400 years.
Avatar m tn We are confused with the selection of valve between tissue valve and mechanical valve given her child bearing age. Can you please help us with following questions? a) What is the average lifespan of tissue valve? b) What is the best tissue valve? The options I am aware of are porcine, bovine, homograft. c) What are the complications involved in redo surgery? d) What are the precautions to be taken with mechanical valve. e) She also has mild MR.
Avatar f tn Well to be blunt, you'd be an idiot, a complete idiot to get a tissue valve as it will wear out necessitating at least 2 open heart surgeries before the age of 80. And 15 years is optimistic, think 10 years in terms of this. Long term the risk of bleeding goes up. But coupled against the risk of multiple open heart surgeries with neurological damage factored in. The overwhelming advice is mechanical.
Avatar m tn With mechanical valves shear stress is the major cause for clotting, and anti-platelet medication is required for a lifetime as you well know. I understand there is a design of a mechanical valve that eliminates the major cause of clotting complications in mechanical valves – increased shear stress created by recessed areas in the pivot area. It seems the focus is on engineering a better mechanical valve design to prevent turbulance rather a more durable graft.
Avatar f tn However, a mild regurgitation (leakage) is not uncommon in people and is not serious. When valves are replaced, the heart is usually enlarged slightly on the left side where it has attempted to adapt to produce more output and this can distort the opening where the valve is situated. As the swelling of the heart decreases, the shape of the opening can be affected and distort the valve or even allow a small leak through the edge of the valve.
Avatar m tn Hi there, Sorry to hear about the problems that your husband is having. It is possible that the valve was not the right size or the sutures were not done properly? But normally the mechanical valve is suppose to last a lifetime! I is no fun going for OHS and absolutely NO fun to do it twice in a liftetime! All the best for the upcoming surgery. I am sure that the Surgeon will be able to report back to you why the 1st valve op was unsuccessful.
Avatar f tn 5 (assumed to be in the target range 3.0+ for mechanical valves, and I suppose other reasons), my target range is 2.0-3.0 and I have permanent AFib, but my own valves. Another thought, if I have it correct. Mechanical valves do (normally?) require replacement every 10 years or so - that's what I remember and I was close the the subject as if they could not repair my valve I told them to go mechanical.
Avatar f tn A cryopreserved human heart valve also does not require blood thinner and has a long life span. the decision is ultimately yours alone. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor for the valve suited for you. Take care and wishing you good health always.
Avatar n tn Bioprosthetic valves are associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism than mechanical valves are, especially if atrial fibrillation is absent, and they do not require anticoagulant therapy. Bioprosthetic valves (eg, Carpentier-Edwards, Hancock) are generally recommended for patients >= 70, for whom the risks of long-term anticoagulant therapy (required for mechanical valves) are higher than those for younger patients.
Avatar m tn I had to decide what I wanted him to do is the valve could not be repaired. I chose a mechanical valve, but I was luck and he was able to repair may valve. The surgery was almost 5 years ago, and the valve is still working fine, I had an echocardiogram just a couple of months ago and the valve, all valves, checked out as good. To your first question, I do not know if a valve can be too damaged for a replacement to work but I doubt it.
Avatar n tn Tissue valves can either wear out or become calcified and stiffen over time. However, they are better valves for use in childbearing years, as I’ll soon explain. Mechanical valves are much more durable, and can last up to a lifetime. However, they require lifelong anticoagulation with medications such as warfarin, so that blood clots don’t form on the valve. Warfarin can cause major birth defects for unborn fetuses, and thus becomes more problematic for use during childbearing.
Avatar f tn The medical community have a mixed vew when to intervene with a procedure for a valve problem. Some doctors suggest wait for any symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and that usually occurs with moderate to severe regurgitation. The Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic have the best sugeons, and the surgeon at the Mayo Clinic commented the bigest problem he sees is the patient waited too long. By waiting too long the heart can enlarge making any intervention more risky.
Avatar n tn The decision on which valve to use depends on the particular patient and discussions with the surgeon, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of both valves. It is of particular interest the reproductive status ( that is are you planning on having children or not) because pregnancy with a mechanical valve is difficult to manage because of the need for continued anticoagulation.
Avatar n tn The two types of artificial valves are mechanical and tissue. Mechanical valves are made from metal and are durable, but they carry the risk of blood clots forming on or near the valve. If you have a mechanical valve, you need to use blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication for life to prevent blood clots from forming on the valve. Tissue valves generally come from a pig, cow or human-cadaver donor heart.
Avatar m tn wat to do in these situation? please advise me. In the angiogram test Doctors replied that 3 blocks and even they intimated us 2 valves were damaged. please advice me wat to in these situation?
Avatar f tn Has anyone else experienced this - I believe it started straight after surgery and to todays date has been present for over a year. My electrophysiologist thinks - from my last echocardiogram - that the aortic valve may have a fault - whether scar tissue or mechanical - rather than a leak which was previously thought.
Avatar m tn In younger people, the number of possible re-ops tends to argue for a mechanical valve, and in elderly people, the better tissue valves can outlive the recipient. I have had both a pig valve and a mechanical valve. I am now in my 6th year with the mech valve and on warfarin. It is definitely NOT true that you have to avoid green vegetables and other foods that have vitamin K.
Avatar f tn ve asking the same thing. I am 57 and having my first aortic valve replacement and I am thinking of mechanical because I dont want to do this again. I thought a mechanical valve lasts forever.....apparently not if you need another one. I also have a thoracic aortic aneursym but it's only 3.8 cm so he won't do anything with that. I wondered how fast they grow though. What makes them grow?? I learned last night about Predaxa....
Avatar n tn Kaul, Thanks for responding to my question regarding nerve ablation with my mechanical aortic and valve and the possibility of a negative effect(s) by having nerve ablation. Dr. Wolnak (My heart surgeon) also nixed having nerve ablation.
Avatar m tn I believe it could be a FATAL mistake if you stopped taking the warfarin. Mechanical valves will clot without warfarin and this could cause a heart attack, stroke or heart failure and could cause you to have to have another open heart surgery. PLEASE ,PLEASE talk to your doctor about any changes in the warfarin.
Avatar f tn In five years when I get my next valve replacement, I will be receiving two mechanical valves. Be sure to talk to your Cardiac Surgeons and Cardiologists though. They will let you know what is best in their opinion based on the experience that their other patients have had. Hope this helps :) you're son will be fine. Advice from the experienced though: LISTEN TO YOUR SURGEONS ADVICE.
Avatar f tn A mechanical valve is usually recommended unless the patient is on the older side....over 70 yrs. That info came from my cardiologist. I was 37 when I had my valve replaced. The problem with having one replaced at a fairly early age is the risk of having to have it replaced again. My mom had her valve replaced when she was 62 with a mechanical valve. She will soon be 80 and doing well with it but she has Alzheimer's and is in a nursing home. She also has problems with her protime/inr.
Avatar m tn My consultant (who is just great) has informed me I will need to have both valves replaced,I had a mitral valve repair 14years ago,I am wondering what is the success rate of having both valves replaced at the same time.I am 63 years of age and have some severe symptoms including a.f.