Circle of Friends

A heart valve replacement diagnosis can seem overwhelming, not just for the patient but for their families as well, and sometimes it can be helpful to hear from others who have been through similar situations.

These are real stories from real patients about their own heart journeys and why they chose to live long and live well with the On-X® valve.

Fred Hoiberg

Melika Hribar

Cheryl Rhoades

Mike Aronson

Scott Boccia

Bob Smith

Mike Thomas

Virginia Arena

Mischel Satunas

Michael Marranca

Neil Alan

These Are Real Stories From Real Patients About Their Own Heart Journeys And Why They Chose To Live Long And Live Well With The On-X Valve.

Fred Hoiberg

Professional Athlete, Coach
Bicuspid Valve Patient
On-X Aortic Valve Recipient

“The main reason I decided to go with the On-X Valve versus a tissue valve was I did not want to go through a third surgery.”

Life With On-X

Blood Thinners

Mechanical vs. Tissue

Melika Hribar

Retired Auto Design Engineer
Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacement
On-X Mitral Heart Valve Recipient

“After getting the On-X Mitral Valve, life was completely different. I walk, I run, I hike, I use the treadmill without shortness of breath. It’s like getting a new life”

Cheryl Rhoades

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
On-X Aortic Valve Recipient
“Minimally invasive open heart with the On-X Valve, I can tell you, hands down is the best way to go. The difference between before and after surgery is night and day. I feel great, I’m back to 100%”

Mike Aronson

Competitive Tennis Player
Bicuspid Valve Patient, Failed Tissue Valve
On-X Aortic Valve Recipient

“If I were talking to another patient facing this huge [valve choice] decision, I would tell them to weigh out the options…. if they’re younger, if they’re active, if you do not want to go through a second surgery, then the On-X Valve is the way to go.”

Scott Boccia

Executive Professional
Bicuspid Valve Patient, Failed Tissue Valve
On-X Aortic Valve Recipient

“I owe my life to the God-given skills of my surgeon, Dr. Lucas Collazo, and his surgical team, the nurses and all of the support staff at Inova Fairfax.”

Bob Smith

Rock Climber
Aortic Stenosis patient
On-X Ascending Aortic Prosthesis (AAP)

“It’s not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.”
– Sir Edmund Hillary (mountain climber, first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest)

Mike Thomas

US Veteran, Competitive Cyclist
On-X Aortic Valve Recipient

 

” I was thrilled that the surgeon had the foresight to pick On-X Aortic Heart Valve for my particular situation.”

Virginia Arena

Dancer, Aerobics
Bicuspid Valve aortic Stenosis
Aortic Valve Recipient

“I told my surgeon that it had to be the On-X valve, or I wasn’t going to have the surgery.”

Mischel Satunas

Active Grandmother
Failed Mitral Tissue Valve
On-X Mitral Valve Recipient

“Since having the new On-X mitral heart valve, I am back up to riding eight miles on my bike each day.“

Michael Marranca

Professional Bowler, Cardio Thoracic Surgery Physician Assistant
Radiation induced heart valve disease
On-X Aortic and Mitral Valve recipient
Michael had both his aortic and mitral valves replaced with On-X valves.

Neil Alan

On-X Mitral Valve Recipient

Neil and his doctor decided he would have a mechanical mitral valve replacement because he did not want to have another surgery to replace a tissue valve. Read his story here.

 

Know the Facts

Your choice of aortic or mitral heart valve can affect how long and how well you live.

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Why On-X

Learn about the exceptional design and unique material features of the On-X Heart Valve.

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