A complete understanding of heart valve replacement requires years of study and practice. Therefore, discussion of these topics with your physicians will provide the foundation for therapeutic decisions you or a loved one will soon make.
Some pro’s and con’s related to prosthetic valve choice are detailed in the table below. Red text indicates the main points associated with each valve choice.
| Pro for Replacement* | Con for Replacement* | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | Tissue | On-X Valve | Mechanical | Tissue | On-X Valve |
| Lifetime durability | 50% or more of patients do not need blood thinner (anticoagulant) | Lifetime durability | Must take blood thinner (anticoagulant) | Up to 50% or more of patients eventually must take blood thinner (anticoagulant) | Must take blood thinner (anticoagulant) but it could be reduced for some patients. |
| Lower reoperation rates | Quiet-do not usually make noise | Lower reoperation rates | Make a clicking noise that is bothersome to some patients | Decreased survival rates | Many patients report not hearing the valve click |
| Better survival rates | Only homografts are efficient in small sizes | Better survival rates | Increased chance of bleeding | Repeat operation every five to fifteen years with associated risks, discomfort and recovery | Potential for reduced bleeding through patient self-testing of INR |
| Better efficiency in small sizes | —- | Possibility of reduced blood thinner | —- | Increased chance of bleeding for patients taking blood thinner | —- |
| —- | —- | Best efficiency in small sizes | Can cause stroke | Can cause stroke | Can cause stroke |
| —- | —- | Lower complication rates | Scar tissue (pannus) ingrowth | Less efficient in small sizes | —- |
| —- | —- | Quiet design | —- | Scar tissue (pannus) ingrowth | —- |
| —- | —- | Scar tissue ingrowth not observed | —- | —- | —- |
Red text indicates the main points associated with each valve choice.
The On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve offers an advanced mechanical choice that incorporates the best of both mechanical and tissue options.
Whatever valve you choose, valve replacement surgery can safely extend life and improve quality of life for those who need it. To find out more, please read this entire guide.
Options for Heart Valve Replacement*
| Mechanical | Tissue | On-X Valve |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| Two leaflets (silicon-alloyed carbon) that do not open to 90° | Leaflets from cow or pig tissue treated with a preservation agent |
Two leaflets (On-X carbon) that open to 90° |
| Short cylindrical carbon orifice | Plastic or metal frame to mount tissue | Near natural length/shape carbon orifice |
| Sewing cuff of synthetic fabric | Sewing cuff of synthetic fabric | Sewing cuff of synthetic fabric |
| ______ | OR, aortic root of pig or human donor that may be reinforced with synthetic fabric |
Advanced features not included in other mechanical designs |
*References for these summary tables are found in the following text.