What's the life span of a mechanical aortic valve ?

May be decades: mechanical valves are the most durable of all heart valves. The "biological valves" or "tissue valves" usually last a decade or so but have the advantage or lower risk of clotting and less need for anticoagulation. Patients with mechanical valves general should be anticoagulated with Coumadin (warfarin). People who have a long life span and have low risk with anticoagulation are best for mechanical valves