Aortic Valve replacement and Ulcertative Colitis

A friend who is needing an aortic valve replacement is conerned as he has ulcertative as well.

He concerned about taking "blood thinners".This is a concern as he is not sure about which type of replacement valve to have.

Does anyone have this problem or had this problem.

Thank you.

08-11-08

I have had AVR (aortic valve replacement) and have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, although mild. The ulcerative colitis has only flared up once years ago and I have not been bothered since. My valve replacement was with a mechanical valve so I HAVE to take Coumadin (warfarin). I really lead a normal life and the Cardiologist and Surgeon didn't seem to be concerned with the ulcerative colitis. Besides that I had no choice if I wanted to live.

I had congenital aortic stenosis that would one day require replacement. I was 47 when that day came. They are so, so good with this type of surgery these days it's unbelieveable. I was out of the hospital in 5 days. The only thing that gives me problems is occasional PVCs which is normal and benign.

I hope everything turns out well for your friend.

I had my aortic valvue replaced is crew to 8.4-9.0 cm they say im a record holder and a miracle- but god and the sergion saved my life.  i was concernred to be on bllod thinners also.  but your Dr will regulate it so it is livable for you and you should have no fears. I also have he Descending Thoracic Aneurysm-disections-thousands every where.  But i put my faith in my medical staff in in christ.  Take all the meds givien.  Make sure the dr you choose has done man of these types of operations for great secsess.  I will pray for all of us.  god bless all of you.  Remeber eating healthy is huge in recovery.  I lost 45 pounds in 3 months by eating right and walking every day.  antioxidants are huge in recovery in the healing proccess and omega 3.  a drink called zola has the most for you to consume. stay away from any products that have vitamin k if you are on blood thinners. 

Post Edited (One On One kicking) : 8/26/2008 11:48:55 PM (GMT-6)

I've had my aortic valve replaced twice - once at the age of 35 and once at the age of 48. The first time I bounced back very quickly. Was in the hospital 5 days, but within a few weeks was busy taking care of my 4 children and running my household. At that time I had a Medtronic-Hall mechanical valve with a very loud click!! Kept my hubby up at night for a long time. When I was 48 it was discovered that I had an aneurysm of the ascending aorta as well as a clot on the mechanical valve so I had my aorta replaced with a dacron graft and the mechanical valve replaced with a St. Jude valve. The St. Jude is much quieter. Recovery time on that surgery was slower. It took me a few months to bounce back from it.

The scar from my first surgery was barely visible anymore when my second surgery occurred and I had a brand new scar to replace it. You will have to be careful for a while until the sternum heals and should follow your doctor's instructions on that as far as allowing your chest to heal properly. I found that with my first surgery I would try to open the door to the mini van and feel a "grinding" in my chest, so soccer mom duties had to be curtailed to allow my chest to heal properly.

Discuss the selection of your valve with your surgeon. He/she will help you to choose the right valve for your lifestyle. Keep in mind that if you choose a mechanical valve you will have to be on warfarin for the remainder of your life. Being on warfarin brings some lifestyle changes along with it that you should discuss with your surgeon. A simple injury for an average person becomes a serious injury for someone on warfarin. Your warfarin therapy will have to be managed at least monthly by a physician who will draw blood or finger stick and adjust your warfarin dosage accordingly.

Discuss the benefits or disadvantages of a tissue valve with your surgeon to see if he recommends tissue or mechanical.

Good luck.