Source
r/valvereplacement•
Ty_Monty_Python

Freestyle AVR

I haven’t seen any posts regarding the Freestyle bio prosthetic AVR. I am a 27 year old male and was diagnosed with a BAV in 2017, and my regurgitation has just entered the severe category. We are planning for surgery next Jan/Feb and going with the Freestyle AVR. Has anyone in here had experiences with this valve replacement or heard of anyone that has? My surgeon says the University of Michigan found a 25 year 93% success rate in men, so I am feeling pretty confident. I will probably lean on this community the closer it gets to my surgery. You all are an incredible support.

Posted Mar 29, 2021, 5:24 PM UTC

53
cauthon•

I’m 31 with a BAV and severe regurgitation. I’ve spoken to two surgeons in the last two years, both of whom refused to consider a bioprosthetic due to durability concerns and my age. AHA guidelines currently recommend a mechanical valve for anyone under 50, and the options both surgeons discussed with me were repair, mechanical replacement, or Ross procedure.

I’m not a medical expert, you may want to discuss further with your surgeon and/or obtain a second opinion.

6
UnfairLobster•

Calcification happens at a much faster rate, the younger you are. Expect 7-10 years tops from a bio prosthetic at your age. I wouldn’t do it.

1
Doyle9305•

The previous two comments are spot on. The 'univ of mich success rate' topic is a bit vague. Success based on what? Implantability? Freedome from Re-op? If so, what was the average age of the patients, etc. A lot of bioprosthetic data is actuarial, and the actual number of patients that make it to a freedom of explant are extremely small after 10-15 years, and that's from patients much older than you are. It's a very important decision, but the Guidelines are in place for a great reason - results based on sound data, and the provision of "life expectancy" which is what many tend to overlook. Bioprosthetics may offer freedom from Warfarin after a certain time, but they do reduce overall patient life expectancy, or at least compared to mechanical valves.

1