Has anybody had a recent MEB/PEB experience with aortic valve replacement using an On-X mechanical valve? The valve requires lifelong Coumadin/Warfarin use, but your INR is lower than with a St. Jude mechanical valve.
According to a study, titled "Effects of Cardiac Surgery on Duty Status in the Active Duty Military Population" conducted from 2004-2011 the return to duty (RTD) rate for mechanical valve recipients was 5 of 21 patients. I spoke to one of the co-authors of the study and explained my situation. It was their opinion that I would likely be found unfit due to the inability to deploy for the remainder of my career because of my Coumadin requirement. The five personnel who were retained during the study were apparently approaching 20 years which was a major contributing factor for their retention - that's not the case for me.
I was just curious to see if their were any other recent cases out there. All the valve replacement threads I have found thus far are 5+ years old.
Thanks.
According to a study, titled "Effects of Cardiac Surgery on Duty Status in the Active Duty Military Population" conducted from 2004-2011 the return to duty (RTD) rate for mechanical valve recipients was 5 of 21 patients. I spoke to one of the co-authors of the study and explained my situation. It was their opinion that I would likely be found unfit due to the inability to deploy for the remainder of my career because of my Coumadin requirement. The five personnel who were retained during the study were apparently approaching 20 years which was a major contributing factor for their retention - that's not the case for me.
I was just curious to see if their were any other recent cases out there. All the valve replacement threads I have found thus far are 5+ years old.
Thanks.