Which is better : a bovine or a mechanical aortic heard valve?

I am in my mid 50's and I need one of the two.
Answers:
In general terms, there are two types of artificial valves available - mechanical valves made entirely from metal and pyrolytic carbon - or biological valves - made from animal tissues. Each has advantages and disadvantages with respect to durability (how long they will last) and risk of blood clots forming on the valve. The choice of which type to use should be made by you and your doctors taking the following into consideration: * Your age
* Other medical conditions
* Your preferences with regard to medications and the risk of reoperation
* Your lifestyle.MECHANICAL VALVESThere are a number of excellent mechanical prostheses available today. All perform equally well. The principle advantage of mechanical valves is their excellent durability. The valves available today simply do not wear out! Their main disadvantage is that blood has a tendency to clot on all mechanical valves. If this happens the valve will not function normally. Therefore, patients with these valves must take anticoagulants (blood thinners) for life. There is also a small but definite risk of blood clots causing stroke, even when taking anticoagulants. BIOLOGICAL VALVESThere are a variety of biological alternatives for mitral valve replacement. Most are made from pig aortic valves. Their key advantage is that they have a reduced risk of blood clots forming on the valve itself causing valve dysfunction or stroke. The key disadvantage of biological or tissue valves is that they have more limited durability as compared with mechanical valves. They will wear out given enough time. The rate at which they wear out, however, depends on the patient's age. A young boy might wear out such a valve in only a few years, while the same valve might last 10 years in a middle aged person, and even longer in a patient over the age of 70. Of course, as we grow older we expect that we will not need the valve for as many years as our life expectancy is less. The general consensus is that a tissue valve will not need to be replaced if used in a patient over the age of 70 years. I think it depends on who has to get the surgery. Personally, I would go for the biological valve.

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IDr Jarvick would recommend mechanical for durability. But for less rejection problems, go for bovine I say, if you fight infections well. Remember, you really have to LIVE with your decision.

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