Heart valve replacement surgery - Mechanical valve vs. cow valve.which is best and why?

Question:

Serious answers only please- this is serious.
Answers:
In general, the mechanical valves will last much longer, but require chronic anticoagulation (blood thinning with a medication called Coumadin to prevent clots from forming on the valve). They are offered to the younger people, who want to avoid another surgery 10-20 years down the line. The cow or rahter pig valves last about that much time. They will wear down sooner, but they have the benefit of not requiring life long anticoagulation, which may have bleeding complications (though is generally safe..hundreds of thousands of people are on anticoagulation and they are doing fine). So in general, the younger patients get mechanical valves and the older patients get pig valves. It is all about choice.possibility of another surgery down the line vs. lifelong coagulation. Both valves work equally well otherwise. I would encourage you to talk to your cardiovascular surgeon about this in depth. Good luck!

Other Answers:
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It depends on the persons life expectancy, mechanical valves last much longer but require blood "thinners" which in an 80 y/o W might not be a good idea (if shes a fall risk). Biological valves usually will start to fail after 10 years but if a persons life expectancy is around that then its probably better.

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Heart valve replacement surgery - Mechanical valve vs. cow valve.which is best and why?

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