Another type of tissue valve replacement that uses your own pulmonary valve (autograft) is sometimes possible.

CNN: Aortic valve regurgitation

It's been seven months since Max's last surgery -- an open heart pulmonary valve replacement -- and he has been cleared for all activities by his doctors.

CNN: Mini Darth Vader uses force for good

Is pulmonary valve stenosis temporary or long lasting?

CNN: Pulmonary valve stenosis

After a number of measures to preserve his pulmonary valve, doctors replaced it last week with a porcine valve that should last 10 to 15 years, according to the website of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

CNN: Tiny Darth Vader leaves hospital after heart surgery

The closest thing to a real success, a two-drug combination known as fen-phen, helped people lose as much as 30 pounds a year by making them feel satiated, but it caused heart valve problems in some and pulmonary hypertension in others.

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