very tough question. one of the toughest decisions patients have to face. the latest generation of valves tend to last longer than 10 years but given your age it is likely that you would require at least one additional surgery during your lifetime. another complicating issue is the possibility that we will be implanting valves nonsurgically (via catheters the same way we put in coronary artery stents) over the next several years. major medical centers are currently doing research studies involving these valves and i wouldn't be surprised if they are being used in the next five years. therefore there is a theoretical situation in which you could get a tissue valve now and then possibly (and i do mean possibly) get an nonsurgically placed valve later on. we just don't know yet. these are important discussions to have with family members your cardiologist and your surgeon.
at 56 i have to choose between a mechanical valve or tissue (which requires coumadin). which is a better option?