Patient Stories

Dear On-X, I would like to share my story..I am a 43 year old wife and mother of 2. I was born with congenital Aortic Stenosis, I have had the valve repaired when I was 12, replaced with a homo-graft when I was 20 (so I wouldn’t have to take Coumadin since I was at…

In 2005, when I was living in Canada I had to have open heart surgery to replace the bicuspid aortic valve I was born with. At the time I had no idea what type of valve to pick–it is a hard decision. I picked a Bovine Pericardial Heart Valve 25mm Aortic. For whatever reason, it…

I discovered about 10 years ago that I had a bicuspid aortic valve and an ascending aortic aneurysm (not leaking). I had been told that at some point down the road that I would need to have these addressed. Well the time arrived this summer with the results of my CT scan and echocardiogram. After…

I am fully recovered, I resumed skydiving this past summer after a 5 year hiatus and my valve responded magnificently, although I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Everything was okay after I calmed my nerves and I’m glad to say my skydiving passion will continue thanks to your…

I was diagnosed at the age of 15 with moderate aortic valvular stenosis. In my late 20′s, I was informed that it was likely the result of a bicuspid aortic valve. At 38 years old, in 2004, I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm. In August 2004, I had my first open heart surgery.…

I was diagnosed with aortic valve disease over 10 years ago. It progressed, requiring replacement at the age of 57. I did not want to be limited to higher dose anti-coagulation for the rest of my life, so my surgeon suggested I research the On-X valve. I’m so glad I did. The valve was surgically…

In the springtime of 2011 under emergency conditions at age 58, I had the On-X Aortic Heart Valve, size 21mm, installed. I couldn’t have picked a better surgeon or state of the art prosthetic heart valve even if I had time to study, shop and compare. I had my valve installed on a Tuesday morning,…

I have been a devoted distance runner and cyclist since my college days. At age 57, I began experiencing increasing levels of exercise intolerance, which prompted me to see my doctor in June 2010. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and moderate aortic stenosis resulting from a heavily calcified bi-cuspid aortic valve. This came as…

Deciding between a biological and mechanical valve was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I am 5 months post-op and am confident I made the right decision. I don’t have to worry about another operation 5-10 years down the road and have the possibility of lower level anticoagulation therapy in the…

I am 55 years old and was diagnosed with aortic stenosis about 8 years ago. I had surgery on March 19th and had the On-X valve inserted. I am very happy with the progress I’ve made in the 10 weeks since then. Once I decided that I needed the valve replaced, my surgeon laid out…