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MECHANICAL VALVE OR TISSUE VALVE: DO PATIENTS REGRET THEIR DECISION?
Author(s) -
Macemon J. B.,
Smith S. T.,
Shaw D. P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04115_5.x
Subject(s) - medicine , regret , warfarin , mechanical heart valve , heart valve , heart valve replacement , mechanical valve , valve replacement , surgery , cardiac valve , dosing , intensive care medicine , atrial fibrillation , stenosis , machine learning , computer science
Purpose Patients undergoing heart valve replacement are usually given a choice of valve type, mechanical or tissue. Each of these broad valve types has basic advantages and disadvantages which are discussed with the patient pre‐operatively, allowing them to make their decision. Post‐operatively patients have a variety of experiences, related to the valve itself, complications of the operation, and other co‐morbidities. The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with the type of valve they chose, and whether they would have changed their mind given their experience. Methodology A one page postal survey with multiple choice questions was sent to 350 patients identified on the hospital database who had undergone cardiac valve replacement. The data obtained was compared to database information and analysed. Results Patients reported a variety of experiences following their discharge from hospital, from thrombo‐embolic events, arrhythmias, bruising and bleeding and ongoing warfarin dosing difficulties. Very few patients (<0.5%) stated that given their experience would have chosen a different type of valve. Also few patients (<5%) who received biological valve replacements ended up requiring warfarin long term. Conclusions Despite many patients having significant problems post‐operatively, very few regret their choice of valve type.