33F with bio-mitral valve post-endocarditis: ViV vs. Redo Mechanical Valve down the road?
Hi everyone,
I’m 33F and had a mitral valve replacement due to endocarditis (strep-related, though the underlying cause remains unknown). At the time, my surgical team opted for a bioprosthetic (tissue) valve.
As I look ahead, I’m feeling a lot of anxiety about long-term complications and the inevitable reinterventions that come with a tissue valve at a young age. My primary goal for the future is to minimize overall health risks and surgical complications.
When my current tissue valve eventually wears out, I’m trying to understand how to approach the next step:
Option A: Valve-in-Valve (TMVR) transcatheter procedure via the groin.
Option B: Full redo open-heart surgery to replace it with a mechanical valve (to avoid future surgeries, acknowledging the lifelong blood thinners).
For anyone who has navigated this choice or had a tissue mitral valve in their 30s:
- What factors did you or your cardiology team prioritize when deciding between a valve-in-valve procedure versus open redo surgery?
- How did you weigh the trade-offs between repetitive catheter procedures vs. open surgery and lifelong anticoagulation?
- Any personal insights or questions you wish you had asked your structural heart team earlier?
Thank you so much for any thoughts or shared experiences, it means a lot! :)