Treatment options

Source: HealthCentral.com

There are many good options for valve replacement. Each patient will need to review the options with their surgeon and cardiologist to decide on the best solution for them. Your heart condition, general health, size, age, gender and activity level will all contribute to your decision.

If your physician recommends a prosthetic heart valve, there are two possibilities: mechanical valves and tissue valves.

Mechanical valves

• Mechanical valves today have two opening and closing parts of the valve. The two valves are held inside a hollow tube by tabs inserted in pivot areas of the valve. The On-X® valve is a mechanical valve designed to last longer than other valves. Learn more about the On-X®.
• Tissue valves are manufactured using several different methods. The materials most widely used are chemically-treated pig heart valves or cow pericardium (a sac of tissue that surrounds the heart). Human heart valves that have been preserved by freezing are also available but in very limited numbers.

You and your surgeon will review the valve choices as well as the following factors when choosing the valve that is best for you.

• Age greater than 70. It is believed that in general a tissue valve’s useful life is greater than the life-expectancy of patients receiving the valve. In addition, people over 70 have more complications related to use of anticoagulation. Therefore, surgeons most often recommend valves that do not require the permanent use of anticoagulant medication (tissue valves).
• Young age. Tissue valves have been shown in studies to calcify and fail at a much faster rate in young children and juveniles. While it is desirable to have this age group avoid the use of anticoagulant medication, it is undesirable to have several heart operations prior to adulthood just because the valve fails quickly.
• Activity level. People who participate in activities that risk bruising or injury may want to consider the tissue valve option and the possibility of no anticoagulation to prevent excess injury if there is bleeding.
• Desire to have children. Women who are childbearing age and anticipate pregnancy after receiving an implant are safer with tissue valve options.
• Major illness. The presence of a major illness such as diabetes or cancer should be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon and other specialists in order to make the correct decision.