Looking at Aortic valve replacement. Does anyone have experience with this?

Know a couple people with valve replacements, they both had good results with no issues from the operation...best of luck with the surgery.

Thank you.

I don't know how much research you've done but here is a good article from the Mayo Clinic:

Aortic Valve Replacement

I know two guys that had aortic valves replaced with pig valves back in the day and they are doing fine.

Had mine done twice. They last about 6 years. Good Luck.

On December 2, 2025, I had 2 valves replaced and another repaired. Spent 2 weeks in the hospital and another 3 weeks in rehab. Lost some weight and strength, but at 83 years old, I think I am really lucky. Went in for my annual checkup and the Dr. ran an EKG and said she was sending me for cardiac work at a larger hospital and they did a scan on my heart and sent me 100 miles south to an even larger hospital for the surgery. It all went well.

My mom had it done in 02 or 03. Still going strong at age 85.

Thanks for the positive responses. I am scheduled for more tests the next two weeks.

Yes the first one Ihad done was replaced with a Pig Valve. The second one was a Tissue Valve. The second one was done in May and went better than the one 6 years ago. But te one done 6 years ago I was flown in to Ruby Memorial in Morgantown WV. I had already passed out in the Mine Parking lot and was flown in. My Wife was notified and Friends drove her there. I had a stroke during the operation and spent time in Rehab. The last one I was in and out in a week.

Heart surgery is fairly routine anymore. You got this, RO.

You should be home in a week!! Good Luck and enjoy life after the Surgery.

My dad had one done in 1991, when he passed away in 2019 it was still working.

At our breakfast table in the restaurant over half of the guys have had it done. And the latest one was over 5 years ago, we all are over 75....Good luck and have faith in your physician and surgeon......jk

My cousin got a pig valve... He back working and doing fine.

From all the responces sounds like its done all the time with success.

I would still be scared and nervous. I always find comfort knowing God has a plan and is in charge. ( i just would like filled in about my personal part a bit more)

That is a very common thing and many have it everyday. My mother had it in her 80's and all went well. You will do fine!

A friend of mine had his replaced almost 10 years ago. He's doing fine. He can't do some physical things he used to do. But, he still enjoys a lot of things that he can do. We have lunch once a week to complain about the MN Twins and the Vikings.

The first two years he had a check up every 6 months. Now, it's annually and everything looks fine.

I just had my 4 year anniversary aortic valve replaced and mitral valve repaired. I was out of the hospital in 4 days I was 66 at the time. What age are you ? They gave me the choice of open heart or tavr, Tavr is a valve placed inside your existing valve thru either your wrist or your groin vein.I chose the Edward Life science aortic valve in a valve called the Inspiris Resilia the valve is set up so if it starts to fail they are designed for a Tavr valve to be inserted and locked in place.These valves are estimated to last 15-25 years. If your at an age where your valve such as the Tavr last 10 to 15 years but in studys Ive researched a lot have failed in the 7 to 10 year range. If you go tavr it's a fairly simple procedure and usually your home the next day but once that fails you'll need open heart surgery to replace it. My thoughts were if i get the Tavr at 66 and it fails at 10 years or sooner I now have to have open heat surgery being at an older more frail age. If mine was to fail now I can have a Tavr with a valve that is designed to accept the new valve and would buy me another 7 to 10 years. If your on medicare you can choose any surgeon in the USA I researched heart surgeons and had mine done by the head of cardiac surgery at the University of Washington. Are you showing signs of shortness of breath yet?

My father had his valve replaced twice. The first time with a pig valve. That didn't last even 10 years so the second time he opted for a mechanical valve. He's still going strong. As said on here this is a common surgery that's done all the time. You shouldn't have any reason to be too worried. Good luck!

I had my aortic valve replaced in 2013. Mine was defective from birth and was not discovered until I was 62. A piece of cow cardium was used to replace mine. Open heart, so there were 8 weeks of light weights, a gallon of milk.
It has gone well for me. My younger brother had his replaced when he was about 60. He had a pig valve put in. His failed about 8 years later and they were able to put a liner in for him through the vein. They tell me that when mine needs replacement they can do that for me too. I go every year now as the valves are rated for about 15 years. They did not want to put a mechanical in for me as they felt I was too active to be on a high level blood thinner.
Rocover went well. Follow their directions and don't try to do too much too fast. The doctor told me if I ripped the opening up I would need staples the rest of my life. I listened pretty close when I heard that.

Bryce