“How long do new heart valves last?”
My son had a heart valve replacement at only 38 years old, which I know is really young. How long do heart valve replacements typically last in young people, and would he need another replacement later on in life?
4 Answers
It depends on the type of valve. Yes, he may need a replacement in the future.
The answer to your question is not straightforward. Age, underlying medical problems, inability to take anticoagulants all influence the type of valve prosthesis used and its potential longevity. No valve is perfect and each has more and less desirable features.
In general, mechanical valves (made of metal and plastic components) last indefinitely unless they become infected or clot forms within them. They require life-long anticoagulation, generally with coumadin. Generally we recommend this type of valve in younger patients such as your son unless they cannot take coumadin, e.g. they have a history of bleeding ulcer, stroke, etc.
Tissue valves made from a pig’s heart valve or cow’s pericardium generally do not require life long anticoagulation unless there is another reason such as atrial fibrillation. They deteriorate over time and usually need to be replaced in 10-15 years. Unfortunately the younger the patient, the more rapid and severe the deterioration so that we don’t usually recommend them in younger patients under age 55-60 unless there is a compelling reason. They tend to be the valve of choice in older patients over age approximately 65. I don’t know what type you son had or why he needed it. There are complicated issues that can mandate a tissue valve in a young patient or a mechanical valve in an older patient, but the description above describes the thinking in a typical case. I hope that this helps.
In general, mechanical valves (made of metal and plastic components) last indefinitely unless they become infected or clot forms within them. They require life-long anticoagulation, generally with coumadin. Generally we recommend this type of valve in younger patients such as your son unless they cannot take coumadin, e.g. they have a history of bleeding ulcer, stroke, etc.
Tissue valves made from a pig’s heart valve or cow’s pericardium generally do not require life long anticoagulation unless there is another reason such as atrial fibrillation. They deteriorate over time and usually need to be replaced in 10-15 years. Unfortunately the younger the patient, the more rapid and severe the deterioration so that we don’t usually recommend them in younger patients under age 55-60 unless there is a compelling reason. They tend to be the valve of choice in older patients over age approximately 65. I don’t know what type you son had or why he needed it. There are complicated issues that can mandate a tissue valve in a young patient or a mechanical valve in an older patient, but the description above describes the thinking in a typical case. I hope that this helps.
Difficult question to answer as I know very little of his medical history and what kind of heart valve he had implanted. Tissue valves may last 10+ years or so depending on the patient's age and medical problems. Mechanical valves last much longer, but you need to be on a blood thinner for life.
Not a cardiac surgery, but a general thoracic
