Tetralogy of Fallot- heart valve replacement is necessary?

I'm 25, according to what my pediatric-cardiac doctor suggests, she thought i might have another open-heart surgery to replace my old mechanical heart valve (which has been using for 20 years since my first surgery when i was 3). Does anyone here have same condition? having an artificial heart valve and need to replace it after decades of using?

btw, i also have some syptoms that cardiologist can't explain or ignore, such as i can't swallow very well as usual (easily get choking). you people with malfunctional heart valves have what symptons? let's share. i live in Taipei, taiwan. my hospital is good at CHD surgery, it could be the best or -next-to-best in Asia. After you opinons, i think i have to be serious about my condition.

Vongirl,

I don't blame you for asking questions on that one. Open heart surgery is a major surgery.

I googled mechanical heart valve but did not find anything related to your case. Some said a mechanical valve was designed to last forever, but face it 20 years is a long time for a mechanical device that cannot repair itself and the data was probably related to mechanical valves being put into old farts like me. At an average pulse rate of 75, 20 years would be 788,400,000 operations- 788 million. That's' a lot of flapping.

You are dealing with something that has both high cost and high consequences. What going to happen if the valve fails? If it failed would you be in good enough condition to or live long enough to replace it? Is it the valve proper size for you now? ......

I suggest that you tell your cardiologist that you would like to get a second opinion. I'm sure he'll understand and will likely appreciate it. You will need some of your records to take to the next guy.

Good Luck.

Unfortunately, heart valves don't last forever. Depending on the type of valve, 20 years is pretty good.

This seems to hold true for kids or adults.

Good luck.

My husband has the same condition - he's 36 - And facing his 5th open heart surgery on August 10th at Stanford -

Yes - Even though it's a mechanical valve - it still needs to be replaced occasionally - every 10-15 years is the average -

He had surgeries about every four years until he was 16 - and nothing since then. But he's been declining, and they've found that they conduit that holds his valve (the conduit was transplanted, too) is obstructed - and they're going to replace it.

Who is your doc? what area do you live in?

check out www.achaheart.org - It's a really great support group and info site for people just like you!

You'll find that there is a lot of advocacy for TOF patients to be at an ACHA center - be sure you have a doc that is REALLY skilled at TOF repairs -

Good luck! - you can find me there - jdancy - and my husband is ddancy - you can send me a private message from there if you want to chat more!

Dear Vongirl,

Congratulations on the long lasting heart valve. Typically mechanical valves don't last quite that long. Mechanical, bovine, porcine and donor valves all wear out. It just depends on the timing. I'd say 20 years with the same valve is very impressive. I hope, once you get your replacement it lasts 20 years as well!!!