Bicuspid Aortic valve replacement

[ringmiller]

Just wondering what the negative's would be when I have my heart valve replaced in a couple of years. I have had a Bicuspid Aortic valve all my life (58) and now the doctors are starting to make noise about the possibility of needing the operation in the future.

 

[TSandM]

The big downside of valve replacement is that, at your age, they would almost certainly use a mechanical valve because of the lifespan (porcine valves only last about ten years). Mechanical valves require full anticoagulation for your lifetime. In addition, mechanical valves are more turbulent. I do not know what, if anything, is known about the risks of either anticoagulation or mechanical valves and diving, but DAN would.